New clip series for Gold

Digital channel Gold has commissioned a four-part series about the history of sitcom, and how the genre reflects everyday life.

Each hour-long show in the series, provisionally titled Only In A Sitcom, will focus on a different theme and feature a different host from a classic sitcom.

Outnumbered’s Hugh Dennis will look at the role of the family; Gavin & Stacey’s Joanna Page will explore romance; Men Behaving Badly’s Neil Morrissey looks at the world of friendships and the Royle Family’s Ricky Tomlinson will give his take on Christmas.

Commissioning executive Julie Swanston, who developed the series for Gold, said: ‘The calibre of talent we’ve secured for this series, from Hugh, Neil, Joanna and Ricky to outstanding contributors including Miranda Hart, James Dreyfuss, Alison Steadman, Sally Phillips and more is testament to the idiosyncratic appeal of the British sitcom.’

The shows – a mix of clips and ‘talking heads’ – will air in the run-up to Christmas.

Published: 22 Sep 2011