New comedy chief sets out his plan

The BBC’s new head of comedy has said that the genre has a bright future, as everyone is seeking the next big comedy hit.

In an email to producers, Shane Allen said: ‘Basically, in comedy land we're going to be OK in the future as we're a much sought genre.’

The message, leaked to The Independent, also outlines what he is seeking for each of his channels.

BBC One remains in need of new ideas – as even though it’s the most-watched channel, it’s the one for which he receives the fewest pitches. Although he says he is excited about what’s coming up: the sitcom Car Share, starring Peter Kay; a silent comedy from Matt Lucas and a school-based sitcom written by David Walliams.

By contrast, BBC Two is ‘the most pitched’ of all channels for comedy. He hopes for a ‘return to big daft classic form’ with the help of new sitcoms from Reeves and Mortimer and Count Arthur Strong.

On BBC Three he’s seeking ‘more subversive or outlandish ideas’ while BBC Four is for slower-burning ideas ‘that need time to grow’.

And for radio he admits the money is poor – with a half-hour show only having a budget of about £11,000 to write, cast and produce – but urged producers to nevertheless consider using the medium.

But Allen had a joky response to anyone who thought about resubmitting a programme idea previously rejected by a predecessor.

‘Warning,’ he wrote, ‘you could be subject to a £1,000 fine for fly-tipping any old script mattresses and washing machines

Published: 28 May 2013