New BBC3 sitcom writing challenge

Some of Britain’s top comedy writers have created new BBC sitcoms – but it will be down to viewers to finish their scripts.

Carla Lane, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran and The Peep Show's Bain & Armstrong are all taking part in the BBC3 project The Last Laugh.

They will pen the first half of eight new comedies, then throw open the ending to budding writers.

It follows a similar idea for short stories, called End Of Story, which attracted 17,380 entries.

The Last Laugh will kick off with a launch programme this winter, with a results series in the autumn.

A judging panel will select the best scripts to go through to the writing teams to choose their favourite.

And winning scripts could become comedy pilots for BBC3.

The programme is one of several new comedies in BBC3’s winter schedule unveiled today, even though much of the channel’s new season concentrates on new drama.

Cyderdelic’s Marc Wooton, who also starred in Channel 4's My New Best Friend, has a secretive new show called only The Marc Wooton Project.

A BBC3 spokesman said: “The high concept of the show is such that details still can't be released at this time, but early sightings report a character-based tour de force that's equal parts comedy and audacity.”

Also Johnny Vegas stars as small-time dope dealer Moz in Ideal, pictured, the first show to come from the BBC Comedy Unit in Manchester, in conjunction with Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow company.

In another new show. a number of comedians will be taking providing their commentary on the week’s news in a fast-paced topical show called 7 Days.

Acclaimed animated comedy Monkey Dust also returns for a third series with new characters including am ordinary mum who uses her daughter's disappearance as the springboard to launch a showbiz career.

And Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps is also returning for a fifth – and final – run.

Published: 13 Dec 2004