Things are looking grim for BBC television comedy.
In the past few weeks we’ve had the news that Shooting Stars has been axed amidst a “refocusing” of BBC Two’s output (once a hotbed of new comedy shows) while BBC Three has dropped Johnny Vegas’ consistently excellent Ideal. The latter is yet another suicidal decision by work experience boy new controller Zai Bennett who has already cancelled the ratings winner Doctor Who Confidential (not a comedy, but amusing nonetheless and instrumental in inspiring future TV production staff).
Meanwhile new sitcoms are stuttering as the network opts to throw comedy panel shows (dropped wholesale from BBC Two, apparently, although what this means for just-returned-to-Two success QI we don’t know) and various stand-up shows at audiences.
Now this isn’t a problem as such. Viewers have been calling out for fresh comedy on TV and what better way to deliver it than shows like Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Live at the Apollo? No, the problem is that the network is focusing on specific parts of comedy and then flogging them to death.
I honestly can’t recall the last time I watched the McIntyre show. There really is no point, ultimately to Live at the Apollo as you can get most of the material in one sitting with one of Channel 4’s comedy galas. While Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow at least offers the chance to see regional comedians, the last series saw an increasing number of comics appearing outside of their home areas.
So why is this happening? It can only be down to the BBC’s government-enforced cutbacks, sadly. But the focus seems to be all wrong. Why employ someone like Zai Bennett to run BBC Three, effectively a station for teenagers and twenty-somethings?
As Johnny Vegas was quoted as saying in reaction to Ideal‘s cancellation:
[quote]”Thank you BBC. When the numbers have never been higher, you’ve cancelled us.
“I’m being fired by the man who commissioned Kerry Katona… so I’m proud to do anything else that you’re not involved in.”[/quote]
Bennett, of course, previously sat in charge of ITV 2, a show not known for its comedy output (yes, that does include the intolerable Leigh Francis) so Vegas’ ire is understandable.
But what is really, truly galling is the fact that the BBC is relying on yet another over-rated sitcom-from-the-past for its Christmas ratings. With John Sullivan sadly no longer with us the long-dreaded return of one-trick pony Absolutely Fabulous is apparently what the great British public want to watch for amusement over Christmas. Watch out for the obligatory Only Fools and Horses reruns, too.
Sadly BBC television comedy seems to be caught in a cost-cutting spiral, where only big names get to push their pet projects and new writing talent is sidelined into badly backed shows that aren’t promoted.
Some new, well-written, prime time BBC One sitcoms would be nice; failing this, interesting new comedy shows on BBC Two would be appreciated.