The men who get all the laughs

Article Abstract:

Comedy programmes have the power to determine the success or failure of a television channel in the ratings battle, and this gives great responsibility to Seamus Cassidy, Channel 4's commissioning editor for comedy, Vernon Lawrence, controller of drama and entertainment at ITV, and David Liddiment, the BBC's head of entertainment. Comedy is much cheaper to produce than drama, and now forms the basis of the schedule for all three channels, especially at peak viewing periods. Comedians now appear in many different programmes, even straight dramas, and every comedy programme must feature a well-known personality.

Analysis, Television comedies, Comedy programs

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Period pains

Article Abstract:

The feature film 'Stiff Upper Lips,' which is to be released in Apr 1997, makes fun of costume drama, a genre which has received extensive exposure on UK television recently. However, it has a story which functions in its own right, and is not simply a collection of sketches based on Merchant Ivory, according to producer Jeremy Bolt. It is intended that the humorous elements emerge organically from the situations, and this is helped by the fact that a large part of what the British aristocracy did in the early years of the 20th century was ridiculous in any case.

Portrayals, Motion pictures, Movies, Movie Review, Television plays, Period Pains (Motion picture)

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The comics' manifesto

Article Abstract:

The team which produces the comedy television programme 'Friday Night Armistice' is currently working on 'The Election Night Armistice,' a programme to be shown on May 1, 1997, on BBC2. General elections are very appealing material for comedians, and comedy can be a very good way of making politics more palatable for ordinary viewers. However, the comedians involved in this particular programme are dubious about the current trend towards making news and current affairs programmes more light-hearted.

Planning, Television programs, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Television comedy writers

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