Channel 4

Channel 4: TV’s middle-aged wild child

You think that policemen/teachers/doctors look incredibly young. You become grumpy when your colleagues don’t know what a VHS tape is. You join a gym after seeing yourself in the mirror as you climb out of the bath. And, God forbid, you buy truckloads of Lycra for your new-found hobby of cycling.

Recognise any of this? Sure, you do, as you fall asleep after one glass of wine, tired from a full day at the garden centre, which now counts as “splashing out”. And if you prefer radio to TV, you are on the slippery slope. Welcome to middle age.

Russell T Davies on the sober art of sharing joy

For a show that took six years and multiple knock-backs before it hit our screens, It’s a Sin is a formidable reminder of the power of TV drama.

The series follows a group of gay friends during the Aids crisis of the 1980s, and earlier this year became All 4’s biggest ever show when it was watched by 18.9 million viewers.

Viewers were drawn in by Russell T Davies’s compelling story and his finely crafted characters, whom we couldn’t help but feel invested in.

Jamie Oliver to present new cooking series Together

Jamie Oliver: Together sees the chef share menus for those first meals with our loved ones since lockdown began.

From starters to sharing platters and delicious mains to devilish desserts, each of the four hour-long episodes will walk you through all the recipes you need for a hearty, stressless meal.

Along with all the food, Oliver will also share his top tips for setting the scene and ambience, and run through a selection of cocktails.

The recipes are drawn from Oliver’s new book, Together, which will be published in September 2021.

The Future of Unscripted - People, Places and Amazing Programmes

A panel of experts discuss how we can strengthen the unscripted sector, develop skills and improve inclusion in the nations and English regions in this RTS and ScreenSkills event.

The event was held in conjunction with the launch of the Unscripted TV Skills Fund on the 1 June 2021- an ambitious £3 million investment into training those working in unscripted TV genres. For more information about the fund click here.

 

Chair:

W Series, the world class women’s motor sport, returns to Channel 4

(credit: Channel 4)

The W Series presenting line-up will be led by Lee McKenzie and Anna Woolhouse and will feature 13-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner David Coulthard, as well as Alex Jacques, Amy Reynolds, Billy Monger, Naomi Schiff and Ted Kravitz.

Channel 4 will also be broadcasting highlights of the Formula 1 race from the Red Bull Ring on 27 June, giving fans the opportunity to watch the best male and female drivers in the world.

Taskmaster announces the series 12 line up

Credit: Channel 4

The 12th series of the chaotic comedy game show will see five more celebs face Taskmaster Greg Davies and his assistant “little” Alex Horne. 

This series will follow Alan Davies, Desiree Burch, Guz Khan, Morgana Robinson and Victoria Coren Mitchell as they attempt to master the absurd and unique tasks set for them. 

Davies is a stand-up, writer and actor best known for his role in crime drama Jonathan Creek and comedy quiz show QI

Fellow stand-up and writer Burch has appeared on Live At The Apollo and various UK panel shows.

It's a Sin Masterclass

An It's a Sin masterclass with writer Russell T Davies OBE, executive producer Nicola Shindler and Channel 4 commissioner Lee Mason.

The masterminds behind the iconic series discuss the making of It's a Sin and share tips on how you can take your life experiences and put them on screen.

Chaired by comedian and presenter, Kemah Bob.

Channel 4 announces new 4Skills career and development initiatives

The schemes will offer real-life work experience and insight into various careers within the industry.

The Channel 4 Production Trainee Scheme, Channel 4 Apprenticeships, 4Studio Placements and the Aspiring Lawyers partnership, together with the 4Skills projects to be announced later in 2021, will provide opportunities to more than 50 people across the Nations and Regions.

Channel 4 commissions new football documentary series The Academy

(credit: Channel 4)

The Academy (w/t) will reveal the work that goes into developing the next generation of footballing talent at Crystal Palace F.C. Academy in South London, with insider access to the staff, players and families.

Over the course of twelve months, The Academy will follow the academy players, aged between eight and 18, as they try to achieve their dreams of becoming professional footballers, and the club coaches and staff helping them reach their potential.