Another web comedy channel launches

Another internet comedy channel has been launched, despite the recent high-profile failures of similar ventures.

Laura Solon, Ben Willbond, Emma Fryer and Neil Edmond are among the comedians who have contributed sketches to Hoot Comedy. It currently hosts just six professionally filmed clips, but promises free new comedy every week.

The website was set up by comedian James Rawlings – who was part of The Consultants sketch team with Edmond – and producers Ben Bond and Ben Thompson. A spokesman said: ‘Hoot Comedy was set up as a place for the UK’s top comedy talent to experiment with new characters and new ideas, free from restrictive guidelines. ’

Other web comedy start-ups have run into trouble, even with illustrious backing. Comedy Box failed despite the having Blackadder and QI producer John Lloyd as its creative guru and Comedy Demon has been mothballed, despite being launched by the giant Warner Music Group. The problems have left funnyordie as the only significant British comedy channel on the web.

Among the sketches on the Hoot Comedy are Solon and Willbond reprising their unhappily married middle-class couple Peter and Alison from the ITV2 series Laura, Ben and Him; and this finger-puppet version of Sherlock Holmes.

Published: 12 Jan 2010