From podcast to airwaves

Radio 4 have commissioned a pilot from Peacock & Gamble, based on their 2011 Edinburgh show Emergency Broadcast.

The premise of the show is that Ray Peacock and Ed Gamble live in a bunker beneath Broadcasting House where, in the event of a Radio 4 show dropping off the airwaves, they will be called on air to provide cover.

The stand-ups are best know for their Chortle-hosted podcast, which included a daily episode at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

They will record the pilot, to be made by the production arm of their agents Avalon, at the Soho Theatre on May 13. Tickets will be available nearer the time.

The duo said:'‘Emergency Broadcast is the show that wouldn't die, even though Chortle gave it a miserly four stars and tried to disregard it.  But we knew better, we kept submitting it, no matter how many times the BBC said no and even ruder words.

We wore them down.  They couldn't ignore us forever.  They broke and caved in and gave us a "pilot" which is BBC-speak for ten series' and a million pounds.

’We are currently beavering away in our lighthouse getting the script just right.  And watching 3D films when we need a break.  It is mainly 3D films that we are watching rather than the writing to be honest.  Have you seen Avengers in 3D? There's a bit where a big metal space worm comes right out at you.  We kept winding that bit back.

’ But when we do eventually write it, it will be the single greatest five minutes of radio ever.  Stretched out over half an hour. Oh I've just realised we need to maintain we live in a bunker under Broadcasting House now so forget the lighthouse thing.’

Published: 21 Feb 2013