Pilot strand ends after 13 years

Channel 4 is closing its Comedy Labs series of pilots, which helped launch the careers of Peter Kay, Jimmy Carr and Russell Brand.

The strand, usually of six shows from comedians new to television, will be replaced by a four-part series E4 Funnies.

The broadcaster will also be ordering another 24 Comedy Blaps – comedy shorts designed for online platforms from very new talent. And for more established stars piloting new programmes, Channel 4 has its bi-annual Comedy Showcase, which will return in 2013.

Comedy Labs have been running since 1998, with notable successes being Trigger Happy TV, Fonejacker and Peter Kay’s The Services. Demetri Martin, Karl Pilkigton and Tommy Tiernan are also among the comics to have made them.

Of this year’s run, Anna & Katy, Totally Tom and Rick and Peter have already aired, with three more – Mr & Mrs Hotty Hot Hot, The Warm Up Guy and Kabadasses – scheduled for E4 slots later this year.

Click here to watch some of the previous Comedy Labs on 4oD.

Published: 20 Oct 2011