Comedy

How to get started in TV comedy

Funny ha ha? The serious business of working in TV comedy” offered invaluable advice to an audience of wannabe comedy producers and writers. The panellists, expertly chaired by Rick Edwards, the writer and presenter of ITV2 panel show Safeword, demonstrated that there are many routes into the genre.

BBC Comedy head of talent Daniell Morrisey started out in TV as a trainee floor manager on BBC One drama Casualty. He recalled this being “a massive baptism of fire at the age of 20”.

Dave commissions new political satire

The comedy, titled Unspun With Matt Forde, is to feature interviews with leading political figures and will be recorded the day before airing to keep up with unfolding events in UK politics. 

Forde, who currently runs a weekly podcast called The Politicial Party with Matt Forde welcoming guests such as Nigel Farage and Alistair Campbell, will be joined by other stand-up comedians in reporting on stories of the week.

Event report: Funny ha ha?: The serious business of working in TV comedy

There were sobering words among the laughs generated by the panel, which was expertly chaired by writer and presenter of ITV2 panel show Safeword Rick Edwards.

BBC Comedy producer James Farrell, who boasts Mrs Browns’ Boys among his credits, warned the audience of would-be comedy producers and writers that “comedy is the most difficult genre by a mile to get into and make”. However, he added, “the flip side is that there are very few people who are good at it so, if you’re talented and tenacious, then you will make it”.

Mitchell and Webb reunite for new Channel 4 comedy

Back comes from Emmy-award winning writer Simon Blackwell, who worked with Mitchell and Webb on Channel 4’s popular comedy Peep Show.

When Stephen’s (Mitchell) father Laurie dies, it is finally Stephen’s time to take over the family business, a local pub. His mother and sister (Julie Deakin and Louise Brealey) are too busy aligning positive energies to take an interest in the family business.

Morgana Robinson brings new impressions show to BBC Two

Morgana Robinson as Russell Brand

Impressions of Fame will take a comic look at the lives of celebrities on and off the screen, as Robinson couples new impressions of Joanna Lumley, Gregg Walace and Miranda Hart, along with the acts she has become known for such as Eastenders actors Danny Dyer and Natalie Cassidy.

Robinson, who previously demonstrated her skills in Channel 4's The Morgana Show, will be joined by ‘big name’ actors, comedians and guest stars who will play the friends and colleagues of celebrities.