BBC3 plans first Oriental comedy show

BBC3 is planning the first all-Chinese comedy show, which could do for Oriental comics what Goodness Gracious Me did for Asian ones.

The show, which has the working title Satay Night Live, is to be produced by Steve Coogan's production company Baby Cow.

A mixture of stand-up and short sketches, it is based on the work of comedy troupe Frying Circus.

Creator Paul Courtenay Hyu (pictured) took his idea to Baby Cow director Henry Normal after working on their show Dr Terrible's House of Horrible.

Now BBC3 controller Stuart Murphy has agreed to spend £100,000 on the 30-minute pilot with a view to developing a series.

Courtenay Hyu said: "Henry Normal is a fantastic comedy writer and it was a pleasure and a privilege to have script editing sessions with him

"I learned so much in the first session and after some time, we had produced a body of sketches that was acceptable to them. Baby Cow then pitched the idea and a pilot has now been greenlit by BBC3.

"There is still a long way to go if we were to get a series, but the pilot is obviously good enough for Baby Cow and the BBC to put money into it - so we have made great progress. I feel like the Chinese Jerry Seinfeld!

"I hope the show will be a great success for our community in much the same way as Goodness Gracious Me has been for the Asian community"

Published: 5 Nov 2003