BBC Three boss wants more diversity

BBC Three controller Stuart Murphy has complained that British comedy is dominated by white men.

Speaking at the Edinburgh International TV festival, he said he was determined to commission more programmes from a wider diversity of people.

He said: ‘It is a particular bugbear of mine that British comedy is dominated by white able-bodied men.’

Quoting such programmes as 3 Non Blondes, Nighty Night and I’m With Stupid, he said:  ‘We’re trying to make sure we challenge the orthodoxy of what comedy means on TV

‘We have to remember how hard it is to get non-white, female or non-able bodied to have the confidence to take part in comedy.’

Murphy added that he was disappointe the channel’s recent comedy writing competition Last Laugh attracted only a ‘small minority’ of women and of non-white entrants, saying: ‘It was really frustrating.’

BBC Three is launching nine comedy series this autumn - five returning series including Little Britain and Nighty Night, and four new ones – in a bid to maintain its status as the home of new comedy.

He said: ‘Next year, our proposition to consumers is definitely to continue the comedy output. In the future we’ll concentrate on other genres, but now I want to concentrate on comedy.’

‘We are the market leader in alternative comedy and don’t want to lose that badge of honour.’

And he said that although BBC Three has a remit to take creative risks, that shouldn’t just mean dark comedies like Nighty Night.

Referring to a new all-female sketch show, he said: ‘Titty Titty Bang Bang is risky, but also life-affirming and funny.’

Murphy also responded to criticisms from BBC radio comedy supreme John Pidgeon, who earlier this week had complained TV had taken credit for Little Britain, even though it originated on Radio 4.

Published: 26 Aug 2005