BBC4 orders one-off comedies

BBC4 has ordered a series of themed comedy one-offs from up-and-coming writers including if.comeddie winner Mark Watson

Each of the four half-hour comedies is set in a single location,  and based on the idea of being stuck in a tight spot.

BBC4 controller Janice Hadlow, said: ‘This is a brilliant chance to showcase both new and established acting, production and writing talent on the channel, with four standout comedies that have a distinctive BBC4 flavour.’

‘Single dramas have worked fantastically well on the channel - now it's comedy's turn.’

The Tight Spot series will run on the digital channel in the new year.

Watson’s contribution will be called Lift and feature four people trapped in an elevator: stressed businessman Paul late for a vital meeting; Sunita, who won’t shut up about her inappropriate experiences; teenager Rocco with seven major phobias; and the dangerously jolly but Christabel who is challenged in the bladder area.

The BBC describe the show, to be made by independent production house Hartswood Films, as ‘like Lost, only more cramped’.

This new show comes after Watson, pictured, was commissioned to write a BBC Three pilot called And Martin… about an underachieving would-be novelist who moves in with his high-flying brother.

The other Tight Spot shows are:

Stuck by Mark Warren: About a pompous, tense ad executive stuck in the car with a laid-back creative type he shares little in common with. This  is being made by Baby Cow under executive producers Henry Normal and Lindsay Hughes.

Freezing by James Wood: ‘A modern, urban comedy’ about an Oscar-nominated actress now languishing in a West London suburb  worrying about where the next job will come from. Her husband, too, has lost his publishing job so for the first time in their marriage the couple  have to spend their days together at home seeking work.

HR by Nigel Williams: About two white middle-aged corporate men under threat from the brave new world of management consultancy.

Published: 12 Sep 2006