BBC plans more comedy by committee

The BBC is planning to make more comedies along the American lines, with scripts created by teams of writers.

Fred Barron, the man behind BBC1's My Family, is joining the corporation to develop new sitcoms using the US template.

My Family was one of the few comedies in the UK to use team writing, and its four series have attracted an average audience of eight million.

Under his new job, Barron will also write scripts for the BBC and will be looking for new writers.

Barron has previously worked in the States, as executive producer on Seinfeld; writer and executive producer on The Larry Sanders Show and creator of Caroline in the City.

He said: "At its best, American style team writing can be like a really tight jazz combo, with a group of talented musicians playing off each other to create something surprising and new.

"Additionally, it gives young writers a chance to develop and find their voices in a protected environment.

"Of course, with soloists like David Renwick and John Sullivan creating one classic series after another, I wouldn't dream of saying that team writing is the way to go. But it is a way.

"Happily, the BBC has been wonderfully supportive of this experiment and I look forward to creating new shows and finding new talent with them over the next three years."

Sophie Clarke Jervoise, the BBC's head of comedy said: "I am delighted that Fred is joining us.

"My Family has proved that the team-writing process can be extremely successful in mainstream sitcom and Fred's track record in this area is second to none. This is a very exciting time for BBC comedy."

Published: 5 Apr 2003