C4 orders more online comedy shorts

Rose Matafeo and Nida Manzoor are to make the next online Comedy Blap shorts for Channel 4.

Writer/director Nida Manzoor’s commission is Lady Parts, described as an anarchic and subversive two-part music comedy following a Muslim female punk band, called Lady Parts.

Amina Hussein, dutiful daughter and geeky biochemical engineering PhD student, wants to find a husband and settle down. She also happens to shred a mean guitar  – who Saira Shah, the tattooed, leather-clad front woman of Lady Parts, is desperate to recruit.

Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Matafeo’s three-part Blap is called Temp about a temp worker and their interactions with three colourful characters in the same office building.

Each will be filmed in a different style, taking inspiration from 9 to 5, Working Girl all  Being John Malkovich.

Channel 4’s head of comedy Fiona McDermott said: ‘Blaps have a proven track record of breaking new talent for C4 and so we’re delighted that these two totally original pieces from the brilliant Rose and Nida are kicking off our latest round.’

Laura Riseam, commissioning executive for Channel 4 Comedy said: We’re so thrilled to be working with these two brilliant women. Lady Parts is a one-of-a-kind music comedy from Nida who, along with her siblings, has written a brilliant, tongue-in-cheek song, which I cannot wait for audiences to hear. 

‘Rose Matafeo: Temp is a brilliant ode to classic female workplace comedies that we all know and love and promises to be shot in inimitable style with visual references and gags aplenty.’

Both Blaps will be filmed this year.

Channel 4’s Blaps have spawned series commissions including Chewing Gum, GameFace, High & Dry, Stath Lets Flats and Lee and Dean.

Published: 24 Aug 2018