C4 announces its first internet comedies

Channel 4 has announced its first Comedy Blaps commission of internet shorts.

Irish musical cult The Rubberbandits and a show from Viz magazine are among the five ideas picked up out of more than 500 submitted.

Comedy editor Fiona McDermott said: ‘We were stunned and impressed by the number of submissions and the amount of new talent that was brought to our attention throughout the Blaps process.

‘So we're genuinely excited by these first commissions, they harness the full scope of what we hope Blaps will be, that dual objective of being a stepping stone for some very promising new talent, on and off screen, whilst also adding a Channel 4 flavour to the ever burgeoning online comedy world.’

More Comedy Blaps – seen as the junior sibling of Comedy Labs and Comedy Showcases – are due later this year. The first five, with their C4 blurb, are...

Hidden: Covert copper Rufus Fox is attempting to infiltrate the criminal underworld of a tough estate. Problem with Rufus is he's dangerously delusional about his talent and skills, and is seriously at risk of jeopardising his and his fellow officers lives at every turn. A live-action lo-fi gritty style belies the classic comedy of errors at the heart of this idea.

Evil Kweevil: He's fearless, he's spineless. He's a daredevil maggot that drives a micro-machine. He's Evil Kweevil and he lives in your kitchen. We follow the highs and lows of this dare-devil stunt maggot, from his adventurous adrenalin filled days to his lonely tedium filled nights. Cry with sympathy when he breaks his spine, laugh with joy when he realises he doesn't have one.

The Rubberbandits: The Rubberbandits straddle the music and comedy worlds like a plastic bag wearing colossus. Mr Chrome and Blindboy Boat club play to sold out crowds not just in their native Ireland but all over the USA and beyond. We join them for the first time in short form episodes that combine the narrative of their weird existence with their musical genius.

Viz: Like the British Museum, the National Gallery and Broadmoor Hospital for the Criminally Insane, Viz Comic is a national institution. Having despoiled the country's news-stands with its unique blend of crap jokes, and toilet-fixated cartoon strips, Viz will now despoil your screens, with band new episodes, letters, profanities and Top Tips presented by Roger Mellie, Sid the Sexist, Biffa Bacon and the Fat Slags. All brought to life with toppest class animation and A-list voice talent.

Business Mouse: Fresh from the makers of Modern Toss comes a new cartoon idiot in the form of a little mouse built for big business, we're calling him Business Mouse. Watch as he blunders his way through deal after deal at rapid pace. Expect hilarious, hurricane velocity, stylish animation from this inspiring but reckless mouse entrepreneur and his portfolio of business associates.

Published: 1 Aug 2011