Reposted from Broadcast
ITV2 has ordered four BAME-friendly comedy and entertainment specials, commissioned by recently appointed digital channels boss Rosemary Newell and entertainment commissioning editor Asif Zubairy. The one-offs, which will air in the run up to the MOBO awards on ITV2 next month, are all fronted and produced by BAME talent.
The shows span a number of genres from mockumentary to scripted comedy and are produced by Bentavision and Sugar Films, Purple Gecko Productions, TriForce Productions and Transparent Television. The shows are Newell’s debut orders since she was appointed head of digital channels and acquisitions in April.
All About the McKenzies is a family sitcom created, written, directed and produced by Samuell Benta. Originally debuted on YouTube and later commissioned by London Live, All About the McKenzies follows Samuell McKenzie who finds himself back at home with his West Indian family after the breakdown of his relationship with the mother of his child. Sugar Films’ Pat Younge will executive produce alongside Samuell Benta.
Purple Geko Productions will produce Dropperz, a mockumentary about a struggling and hapless grime group. It will be executive produced by Femi Oyeniran and Victor Adebodun who will also direct alongside Ed Wiles.
Transparent Television will produce another mockumentary What’s The Facts. Presented by Jason Lewis, the show will offer the audience ‘facts’ so surreal they could be true. It will be executive produced by Transparent’s managing and creative director Jazz Gowans and Mark Powell.
The final commission is a panel show hosted by Jimmy Akingbola. Sorry, I Didn’t Know will see two teams of comedians take viewers on a tour of black history across the globe. The panel show marks the first commission for TriForce Productions, the freshly launched production arm of the TriForce Creative Network, and will be executive produced by Minnie and Fraser Ayres.
Newell said: “This year’s Fresh season is the perfect opportunity to bring some fantastic new comedy and entertainment to our viewers from some exceptionally talented stars of the future.”
Zubairy added: “We have four incredibly funny, edgy and innovative comedy and entertainment shows and are excited to be bringing these to the ITV2 audience. I’m thrilled that we are continuing our strong ties with BAME talent and offer a much-deserved platform for talent both on and the screen.”
