BBC Announces 5th Salford Sitcom Showcase For 2016
The oldies keep coming back! as it’s hotting up to be a sizzling summer of comedy.
Four new comedy projects have been announced by the BBC to form part of its annual showcase event in Salford.
The event is now in it’s 5th year and as always aims to develop future comedy hits for the BBC, with Citizen Khan, Boy Meets Girl and Hebburn amongst the shows that have previously been involved in the scheme.
This year’s Showcase will take place on the 5th and 6th July, and the comedies involved are:
The Late Late Morecambe And Wise Show
The BBC says: “Imagine having The Morecambe And Wise Show back for an evening. Olivier-nominated Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens star as the unforgettable double act, together with their special guests, performing brand new material.”
The Russ Abbot Sketch Show
No stranger to this format the veteran comic enjoyed huge success between 1986 and 1990, when The Russ Abbot Show was must see Saturday night TV.
The BBC says: “Russ is back with a 2016 reinvention of the sketch show and a brand new band of exciting live performers. The show is full of big memorable characters, some old friends and a roistering sense of energy and fun that only Mr Abbot can deliver.”
As well as the oldies there are also two completely fresh projects.
Home From Home
Home From Home, previously announced as a BBC Two sitcom starring Johnny Vegas. The pilot will be shown on BBC Two this summer as part of the BBC’s Landmark Sitcom Season.
Vegas plays family man Neil Hackett, who is overjoyed to finally buy his very own lodge in the picturesque Lake District. What should be the perfect “home from home” rapidly dissolves into the stuff of nightmares though when he discovers he is living next door to the effortlessly superior Dillons, played by Emilia Fox and Adam James.
The Lodger
The final project is a live theatrical performance of a new sitcom currently in development with the BBC. The synopsis is: “Eddie needs space to iron his socks. Sally needs space to line up her vodka shots. Can these two really live under the same roof together?”
Lodger has been written by Miles Jupp, alongside his former Balamory co-star Kim Tserkezie (aka Penny Pocket), and Undercover writer Andy Milligan.
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