One with 'an un-PC character'

Ricky Gervais has been in talks with Sky1 about two potential new comedy shows.

Channel controller Stuart Murphy revealed that one would be based on an ‘unacceptable and un-PC character’ – and that he would be ready to commission it on the strength of a ‘one-line brief’.

‘It is perfect and would go straight to series,’ he told an audience at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival. ‘There doesn't need to be a discussion. On my side he is pushing against an open door.’

Murphy said that Gervais was keen to work with another comedian on the second show, but did not name the potential collaborator.

In his interview at the festival on Friday, Gervais said he was drawn to Sky because of its ambitions to become the British HBO.

Sky has just launched a major drive to commission more comedy, and Murphy said Sky already spends more on comedy programming than Channel 4 and will overtake the BBC next year.

Murphy also admitted he tried to ‘nick’ The Inbetweeners and Gavin & Stacey stars James Corden and Ruth Jones to work on Sky. Although the stars did not move as complete teams, he said he was trying to woo the talent one-by-one. Jones is already making a comedy-drama called Stella for Sky1.

Published: 27 Aug 2011