This week saw a “Black Monday” for the TV industry due to the proposed layoffs at Channel 4 and Paramount, according to storied The Office and It Crowd producer Ash Atalla.
Atalla predicted there will be “less” shows made this year, “not more,” and that freelancers are “hurting” due to the industry slowdown, compounded by the redundancy plans.
On Monday, Channel 4, for which Atalla’s Roughcut TV has made a wealth of shows down the years including current hit Big Boys, announced it will be laying off around 240 staff as part of a ‘Fast Forward’ strategy, which will see Film4 and TV drama commissioning merged. Channel 5-owner Paramount, meanwhile, is prepping to make hundreds of layoffs in the States and UK-based international studios boss Maria Kyriacou is leaving.
“Yesterday felt like a ‘Black Monday’ in the world of TV,” Atalla said last night on a Royal Television Society panel.
Atalla predicted there will be “less” shows made this year, “not more,” and that freelancers are “hurting” due to the industry slowdown, compounded by the redundancy plans.
On Monday, Channel 4, for which Atalla’s Roughcut TV has made a wealth of shows down the years including current hit Big Boys, announced it will be laying off around 240 staff as part of a ‘Fast Forward’ strategy, which will see Film4 and TV drama commissioning merged. Channel 5-owner Paramount, meanwhile, is prepping to make hundreds of layoffs in the States and UK-based international studios boss Maria Kyriacou is leaving.
“Yesterday felt like a ‘Black Monday’ in the world of TV,” Atalla said last night on a Royal Television Society panel.
- 1/31/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The exec producer behind BBC comedy-drama We Might Regret This has said his ambition was for a show starring and written by a disabled performer to be “at the very top table of creativity.”
The Office and People Just Do Nothing producer Ash Atalla, whose Roughcut TV outfit is making We Might Regret This in association with Village Roadshow Television, said there has been a tendency for British broadcasters to “use the dry slopes of smaller budget shows or ancillary channels as training progams” when it comes to projects led by disabled people.
Penned by Kyla Harris and Lee Getty, We Might Regret This, on the other hand, is being positioned as a bigger-budget primetime offering for the UK’s national broadcaster, which its backers feel could be a potential awards winner.
“There was always an ambition to make a show that stars a disabled performer sat at the very top table of creativity,...
The Office and People Just Do Nothing producer Ash Atalla, whose Roughcut TV outfit is making We Might Regret This in association with Village Roadshow Television, said there has been a tendency for British broadcasters to “use the dry slopes of smaller budget shows or ancillary channels as training progams” when it comes to projects led by disabled people.
Penned by Kyla Harris and Lee Getty, We Might Regret This, on the other hand, is being positioned as a bigger-budget primetime offering for the UK’s national broadcaster, which its backers feel could be a potential awards winner.
“There was always an ambition to make a show that stars a disabled performer sat at the very top table of creativity,...
- 11/29/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
James Corden is to give his first industry interview since leaving the Late Late Show and returning to the UK at the Rts Cambridge Convention next month.
Corden will speak about future plans and around the theme of the annual Convention, which is Too Much to Watch.
The former Gavin and Stacey star made his name in the States in the Broadway play One Man, Two Guvnors before fronting The Late Late Show, as his star rose enormously. He left the CBS gig earlier this year after nearly a decade and almost 2,000 episodes and the show is not continuing.
Corden is the latest to join a buzzy lineup for the Channel 4-sponsored confab that includes the likes of CAA Co-Chairman Bryan Lourd, Piers Morgan, Warner Bros. Discovery international boss Gerhard Zeiler and the heads of all the major broadacsters and Sky. Lourd will speak to British star Emma Thompson.
Corden will speak about future plans and around the theme of the annual Convention, which is Too Much to Watch.
The former Gavin and Stacey star made his name in the States in the Broadway play One Man, Two Guvnors before fronting The Late Late Show, as his star rose enormously. He left the CBS gig earlier this year after nearly a decade and almost 2,000 episodes and the show is not continuing.
Corden is the latest to join a buzzy lineup for the Channel 4-sponsored confab that includes the likes of CAA Co-Chairman Bryan Lourd, Piers Morgan, Warner Bros. Discovery international boss Gerhard Zeiler and the heads of all the major broadacsters and Sky. Lourd will speak to British star Emma Thompson.
- 8/30/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The BBC has greenlit a comedy-drama about a Canadian tetraplegic moving to London from Stath Lets Flats producer Roughcut TV in association with Village Roadshow Television.
In the Catastrophe-esque We Might Regret This, Freya, played by the show’s co-writer Kyla Harris, moves to the English capital to live with Abe (Killing Eve and Smack the Pony’s Darren Boyd). Abe thinks he’s an old dog that can learn new tricks but Freya requires constant PAs who are always present and, after failing to find the right person for this intimate role, invites chaotic and impulsive best friend Jo (Elena Saurel) to take the job.
The show is inspired by the lives of Harris and co-writer Lee Getty, who said it will be about the “messiest and most joyous lived experiences of friendship, love and disability.”
We Might Regret This was initially reported to be in development as a Channel 4 pilot.
In the Catastrophe-esque We Might Regret This, Freya, played by the show’s co-writer Kyla Harris, moves to the English capital to live with Abe (Killing Eve and Smack the Pony’s Darren Boyd). Abe thinks he’s an old dog that can learn new tricks but Freya requires constant PAs who are always present and, after failing to find the right person for this intimate role, invites chaotic and impulsive best friend Jo (Elena Saurel) to take the job.
The show is inspired by the lives of Harris and co-writer Lee Getty, who said it will be about the “messiest and most joyous lived experiences of friendship, love and disability.”
We Might Regret This was initially reported to be in development as a Channel 4 pilot.
- 6/22/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
A hammer blow to the UK’s hugely successful high-end TV (Hetv) tax credit could be struck in next week’s budget and a prominent politician has written to the Chancellor urging him to reconsider.
Baroness Tina Stowell, who runs the influential House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, wrote to Treasury boss Jeremy Hunt yesterday with a strongly-worded call to ignore requests to raise the threshold of the relief from shows that cost £1M ($1.2M) per hour to those costing £1.5M ($1.8M) per hour and above.
This is the recommendation made by a recent government report, which said that “rising production costs have meant that several productions which the government expects would have been commissioned regardless of the existence of Hetv tax relief have become eligible.”
Stowell’s letter to Hunt came a day after British networks, Netflix, Paramount and indie trade body Pact wrote to her asking for...
Baroness Tina Stowell, who runs the influential House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, wrote to Treasury boss Jeremy Hunt yesterday with a strongly-worded call to ignore requests to raise the threshold of the relief from shows that cost £1M ($1.2M) per hour to those costing £1.5M ($1.8M) per hour and above.
This is the recommendation made by a recent government report, which said that “rising production costs have meant that several productions which the government expects would have been commissioned regardless of the existence of Hetv tax relief have become eligible.”
Stowell’s letter to Hunt came a day after British networks, Netflix, Paramount and indie trade body Pact wrote to her asking for...
- 3/9/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stath Lets Flats producer Roughcut TV has hired two development execs to bolster its scripted comedy/drama credentials and is taking the hit Channel 4 comedy back out to U.S. networks.
Roughtcut Managing Director Ash Atalla said Jamie Demetriou’s three-time-bafta-winning comedy about a hapless North London-based Greek Cypriot estate agent will be pitched to the U.S. in the coming months. A single-camera Fox version was initially in development, titled Bren’s Rents, and showrunner Joe Mande, a writer on The Good Place and Parks and Recreation, remains attached.
Atalla told Deadline “being geographically specific” and “placing trust” in Mande as showrunner will be key to Stath Lets Flats’ success in the U.S.
“Maintaining complete control is a fool’s errand,” he said. “We feel such ownership over our own shows but you can’t sell your house and then tell people how to arrange the furniture.
Roughtcut Managing Director Ash Atalla said Jamie Demetriou’s three-time-bafta-winning comedy about a hapless North London-based Greek Cypriot estate agent will be pitched to the U.S. in the coming months. A single-camera Fox version was initially in development, titled Bren’s Rents, and showrunner Joe Mande, a writer on The Good Place and Parks and Recreation, remains attached.
Atalla told Deadline “being geographically specific” and “placing trust” in Mande as showrunner will be key to Stath Lets Flats’ success in the U.S.
“Maintaining complete control is a fool’s errand,” he said. “We feel such ownership over our own shows but you can’t sell your house and then tell people how to arrange the furniture.
- 1/24/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Production
Principal photography has commenced on Season 2 of acclaimed Sky original paramedic comedy “Bloods.”
U.S. streaming service Hulu has acquired the series in a multi-season deal and season 1 will debut on the streamer Dec. 9.
The series stars BAFTA nominated Samson Kayo and Golden Globe nominated Jane Horrocks. The first season had eight episodes while the second will have 10.
Bloods follows tough-acting loner Maleek (Kayo) and over-friendly divorcee Wendy (Horrocks), a pair of mismatched paramedics, and their fellow ambulance station colleagues through the life-saving world of a south London emergency service. Katherine Kelly (“Innocent”) and Nathan Foad (“Our Flag Means Death”) are joining the cast for the new season.
The show’s returning cast includes Lucy Punch (“Motherland”), Julian Barratt (“Mighty Boosh”), Adrian Scarborough (“Gavin and Stacey”), Aasiya Shah (“Raised By Wolves”), Kevin Garry (“Ted Lasso”) and Sam Campbell (“Stath Lets Flats”).
The series is being made for Sky by...
Principal photography has commenced on Season 2 of acclaimed Sky original paramedic comedy “Bloods.”
U.S. streaming service Hulu has acquired the series in a multi-season deal and season 1 will debut on the streamer Dec. 9.
The series stars BAFTA nominated Samson Kayo and Golden Globe nominated Jane Horrocks. The first season had eight episodes while the second will have 10.
Bloods follows tough-acting loner Maleek (Kayo) and over-friendly divorcee Wendy (Horrocks), a pair of mismatched paramedics, and their fellow ambulance station colleagues through the life-saving world of a south London emergency service. Katherine Kelly (“Innocent”) and Nathan Foad (“Our Flag Means Death”) are joining the cast for the new season.
The show’s returning cast includes Lucy Punch (“Motherland”), Julian Barratt (“Mighty Boosh”), Adrian Scarborough (“Gavin and Stacey”), Aasiya Shah (“Raised By Wolves”), Kevin Garry (“Ted Lasso”) and Sam Campbell (“Stath Lets Flats”).
The series is being made for Sky by...
- 11/17/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
“I’m in a lot of meetings now, where people tell me, ‘This will never get on because it’s not woke enough,’” Ash Atalla, award-winning comedy producer of hits including The Office and The It Crowd, told a spirited panel at the Edinburgh TV Festival assembled to discuss the question of how TV makers can properly represent diverse Britain in all its forms.
“I’m amazed how fast the white people have thought, ‘We can’t get on television,’” he continued. “That’s come in hard and fast in the last two years, and it’s a bewildering experience to be in those meetings after 15 years of the opposite. Now white people think there’s no place for them.”
He added that even having the discussion publicly is increasingly challenging for people, through fear of being castigated or cancelled.
Mobeen Azhar, broadcast journalist and presenter, told an opposite but equal story,...
“I’m amazed how fast the white people have thought, ‘We can’t get on television,’” he continued. “That’s come in hard and fast in the last two years, and it’s a bewildering experience to be in those meetings after 15 years of the opposite. Now white people think there’s no place for them.”
He added that even having the discussion publicly is increasingly challenging for people, through fear of being castigated or cancelled.
Mobeen Azhar, broadcast journalist and presenter, told an opposite but equal story,...
- 8/25/2021
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Ash Atalla, an award-winning producer of series like The Office and The It Crowd, is calling out the industry’s hiring of non-disabled actors to play disabled characters.
Atalla, who spoke to the U.K.’s Sunday Times for a recent interview, says it still shocks him that — despite ongoing conversations and objections from the disability community — Hollywood continues to participate in “cripface,” or the act of casting non-disabled talent to portray people with disabilities in various TV and film projects.
“That should be rule one: don’t put walking people in a wheelchair for television. Ever,” he said....
Atalla, who spoke to the U.K.’s Sunday Times for a recent interview, says it still shocks him that — despite ongoing conversations and objections from the disability community — Hollywood continues to participate in “cripface,” or the act of casting non-disabled talent to portray people with disabilities in various TV and film projects.
“That should be rule one: don’t put walking people in a wheelchair for television. Ever,” he said....
- 8/17/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Ash Atalla, an award-winning producer of series like The Office and The It Crowd, is calling out the industry’s hiring of non-disabled actors to play disabled characters.
Atalla, who spoke to the U.K.’s Sunday Times for a recent interview, says it still shocks him that — despite ongoing conversations and objections from the disability community — Hollywood continues to participate in “cripface,” or the act of casting non-disabled talent to portray people with disabilities in various TV and film projects.
“That should be rule one: don’t put walking people in a wheelchair for television. Ever,” he said....
Atalla, who spoke to the U.K.’s Sunday Times for a recent interview, says it still shocks him that — despite ongoing conversations and objections from the disability community — Hollywood continues to participate in “cripface,” or the act of casting non-disabled talent to portray people with disabilities in various TV and film projects.
“That should be rule one: don’t put walking people in a wheelchair for television. Ever,” he said....
- 8/17/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BBC Three is set to air a comedy special celebrating mockumentary series “People Just Do Nothing.”
“Kurupting the Industry: The People Just Do Nothing Story” will follow the group of DJs and MCs behind pirate radio station Kurupt FM. Starring Allan Mustafa, Asim Chaudhry, Hugo Chegwin and Steve Stamp, the first episode of the popular series aired in 2012 on BBC iPlayer and was soon followed by five hit seasons.
The special will also feature celebrity fans including BBC DJ Clara Amfo, “The Hobbit” star Martin Freeman, rapper Dizzee Rascal and singer Craig David.
A feature based on the show, “People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan,” is set for theatrical release on Aug. 18.
“Kurupting the Industry: The People Just Do Nothing Story” is made by Roughcut TV for BBC Three. Director of BBC comedy, Shane Allen, and BBC Three controller Fiona Campbell commissioned the special.
Ash Atalla exec produces for...
“Kurupting the Industry: The People Just Do Nothing Story” will follow the group of DJs and MCs behind pirate radio station Kurupt FM. Starring Allan Mustafa, Asim Chaudhry, Hugo Chegwin and Steve Stamp, the first episode of the popular series aired in 2012 on BBC iPlayer and was soon followed by five hit seasons.
The special will also feature celebrity fans including BBC DJ Clara Amfo, “The Hobbit” star Martin Freeman, rapper Dizzee Rascal and singer Craig David.
A feature based on the show, “People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan,” is set for theatrical release on Aug. 18.
“Kurupting the Industry: The People Just Do Nothing Story” is made by Roughcut TV for BBC Three. Director of BBC comedy, Shane Allen, and BBC Three controller Fiona Campbell commissioned the special.
Ash Atalla exec produces for...
- 7/20/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Quiver Distribution has acquired U.S. rights to “The Exchange,” a new comedy from the co-creator of “Borat” and “Bruno.”
Directed by Dan Mazer, an Oscar nominee for writing the “Borat” movies and the maker of “Dirty Grandpa,” the film follows a socially awkward but highly enterprising teenager who decides to acquire a “mail-order best friend.” While he hopes to find a sophisticated exchange student from France, he instead ends up importing his personal nightmare, a cologne-soaked, chain-smoking, sex-crazed guy, who quickly becomes a community hero. The movie stars Justin Hartley (“This Is Us”), Avan Jogia (“Zombieland: Double Tap”), Jennifer Irwin (“Bad Teacher”) and Ed Oxenbould (“Wildlife”). Emmy Award-winner Tim Long (“The Simpsons”) penned the script.
Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.
“Dan, Tim and the entire cast have created a laugh-out-loud comedy that audiences will unquestionably go crazy for,” said Quiver Distribution Co-Presidents Berry Meyerowitz and Jeff Sackman.
Directed by Dan Mazer, an Oscar nominee for writing the “Borat” movies and the maker of “Dirty Grandpa,” the film follows a socially awkward but highly enterprising teenager who decides to acquire a “mail-order best friend.” While he hopes to find a sophisticated exchange student from France, he instead ends up importing his personal nightmare, a cologne-soaked, chain-smoking, sex-crazed guy, who quickly becomes a community hero. The movie stars Justin Hartley (“This Is Us”), Avan Jogia (“Zombieland: Double Tap”), Jennifer Irwin (“Bad Teacher”) and Ed Oxenbould (“Wildlife”). Emmy Award-winner Tim Long (“The Simpsons”) penned the script.
Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.
“Dan, Tim and the entire cast have created a laugh-out-loud comedy that audiences will unquestionably go crazy for,” said Quiver Distribution Co-Presidents Berry Meyerowitz and Jeff Sackman.
- 5/4/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Roughcut TV, the BAFTA-winning British producer behind Stath Lets Flats and People Just Do Nothing, has swooped for the rights to adapt Sarah Vaughan’s fourth novel into a television series.
The company, spearheaded by The Office producer Ash Atalla, considers the deal for Little Disasters to be an important moment in its strategy to move into high-end drama. It follows Vaughan becoming a hot property in TV after Netflix set an adaptation of her third book, Anatomy Of A Scandal, with Big Little Lies creator David E. Kelley showrunning and Sienna Miller starring.
Little Disasters is a psychological thriller, centering on pediatrician, Dr Liz Trenchard, who is surprised to find the child of her close friend, Jess, has been admitted to accident and emergency. Jess is an attentive mother, but Trenchard has a dreadful feeling that her friend’s explanation for what happened doesn...
The company, spearheaded by The Office producer Ash Atalla, considers the deal for Little Disasters to be an important moment in its strategy to move into high-end drama. It follows Vaughan becoming a hot property in TV after Netflix set an adaptation of her third book, Anatomy Of A Scandal, with Big Little Lies creator David E. Kelley showrunning and Sienna Miller starring.
Little Disasters is a psychological thriller, centering on pediatrician, Dr Liz Trenchard, who is surprised to find the child of her close friend, Jess, has been admitted to accident and emergency. Jess is an attentive mother, but Trenchard has a dreadful feeling that her friend’s explanation for what happened doesn...
- 2/17/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Fox is doubling down on British remakes with a U.S. version of quirky Channel 4 comedy Stath Lets Flats as its latest adaptation.
The network is developing a remake as Bren Rents, a single-camera comedy from The Good Place writer Joe Mande.
Stath Lets Flats, which airs on HBO Max in the U.S. was one of the big winners at this summer’s BAFTA awards.
The show follows an incompetent rental agent, played by creator Jamie Demetriou, who played the bus suitor with big teeth in Fleabag’s first season. In the show, Demetriou runs a Greek-Cypriot letting agency in London, owned by his father. It has echoes of the original BBC version of The Office or Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge character.
Mande (left), who also starred in Modern Family, will write and exec produce, while Demetriou and Ash Atalla, who runs Roughcut TV, the production company that produces the show,...
The network is developing a remake as Bren Rents, a single-camera comedy from The Good Place writer Joe Mande.
Stath Lets Flats, which airs on HBO Max in the U.S. was one of the big winners at this summer’s BAFTA awards.
The show follows an incompetent rental agent, played by creator Jamie Demetriou, who played the bus suitor with big teeth in Fleabag’s first season. In the show, Demetriou runs a Greek-Cypriot letting agency in London, owned by his father. It has echoes of the original BBC version of The Office or Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge character.
Mande (left), who also starred in Modern Family, will write and exec produce, while Demetriou and Ash Atalla, who runs Roughcut TV, the production company that produces the show,...
- 12/15/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, Bill Gates will participate in this year’s World Congress of Science and Factual Producers as keynote speaker, Netgem and France Channel co-create a new French content streaming platform, Storyglass announces an arts-themed podcast, “Stath Lets Flats” gets a third season at Channel 4, Damian Kavanagh leaves Tiger Aspect and James Purnell departs the BBC, and ViacomCBS Networks International promotes Lee Sears.
Keynote
The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers (Wcsfp) has announced its highest-profile speaker for this year’s event in Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, who will take part in an interview with medical journalist Dr. Mercy Korir at the upcoming digital edition of Congress ’20.
Originally planned for early December in the French city of Strasbourg, Wcsfp was forced to move this year’s physical event online as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The rescheduled event will stream Dec. 7-...
Keynote
The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers (Wcsfp) has announced its highest-profile speaker for this year’s event in Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, who will take part in an interview with medical journalist Dr. Mercy Korir at the upcoming digital edition of Congress ’20.
Originally planned for early December in the French city of Strasbourg, Wcsfp was forced to move this year’s physical event online as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The rescheduled event will stream Dec. 7-...
- 10/23/2020
- by Jamie Lang, Elsa Keslassy and Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Stath Lets Flats Renewed For Season 3
Channel 4 has commissioned a third season of BAFTA-winning comedy Stath Lets Flats. Created by Fleabag actor Jamie Demetriou and produced by Roughcut TV, the comedy follows the career of hapless realtor Stath and his family business, Michael & Eagle. Stath Lets Flats, which was picked up by HBO Max in the U.S., won a hat-trick of BAFTAs earlier this year for best male actor in a comedy, best comedy writer, and best scripted comedy. Executive producers are Demetriou and Ash Atalla, while Season 3 was ordered by Channel 4’s head of comedy Fiona McDermott and commissioner Jack Bayles.
James Purnell Quits The BBC
James Purnell, a central figure in Tony Hall’s tenure as BBC director general, has left the British broadcaster to become the president and vice-chancellor of the University of the Arts London. Purnell first joined the BBC in 2013 as director of strategy and digital,...
Channel 4 has commissioned a third season of BAFTA-winning comedy Stath Lets Flats. Created by Fleabag actor Jamie Demetriou and produced by Roughcut TV, the comedy follows the career of hapless realtor Stath and his family business, Michael & Eagle. Stath Lets Flats, which was picked up by HBO Max in the U.S., won a hat-trick of BAFTAs earlier this year for best male actor in a comedy, best comedy writer, and best scripted comedy. Executive producers are Demetriou and Ash Atalla, while Season 3 was ordered by Channel 4’s head of comedy Fiona McDermott and commissioner Jack Bayles.
James Purnell Quits The BBC
James Purnell, a central figure in Tony Hall’s tenure as BBC director general, has left the British broadcaster to become the president and vice-chancellor of the University of the Arts London. Purnell first joined the BBC in 2013 as director of strategy and digital,...
- 10/23/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
A short-lived sense of security from plummeting coronavirus cases prompted several global-facing projects in the U.K. to restart over the summer, but as the threat of new Covid-19 restrictions looms large, the industry is rushing to crank out film and TV productions this fall, in what could be the last gasp for production in 2020.
A rising caseload prompted six-month-long restrictions on group gatherings and early closures for the hospitality sector on Sept. 24, but the U.K. remains one of the most active production hubs in Europe. Getting cameras rolling, as evidenced by “The Batman” brouhaha, is a major gamble, but those who can afford to take the plunge say there’s much to be gained — if they can pull it off.
Roughcut TV is shooting in south London, where cameras rolled Sept. 2 on six-part comedy “Bloods” for Comcast-backed broadcaster Sky. Managing director Ash Atalla began planning the shoot...
A rising caseload prompted six-month-long restrictions on group gatherings and early closures for the hospitality sector on Sept. 24, but the U.K. remains one of the most active production hubs in Europe. Getting cameras rolling, as evidenced by “The Batman” brouhaha, is a major gamble, but those who can afford to take the plunge say there’s much to be gained — if they can pull it off.
Roughcut TV is shooting in south London, where cameras rolled Sept. 2 on six-part comedy “Bloods” for Comcast-backed broadcaster Sky. Managing director Ash Atalla began planning the shoot...
- 10/10/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
British comedy Stath Lets Flats is the little show that could. The Channel 4 comedy has had a pretty good few weeks – beating Fleabag twice at the BAFTA TV Awards on Friday.
The show follows an incompetent rental agent, played by creator Jamie Demetriou, who runs a Greek-Cypriot letting agency in London, owned by his father. It has echoes of the original BBC version of The Office or Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge character.
Demetriou, who played the bus suitor with big teeth in Fleabag’s first season, picked up a craft award for best comedy writing earlier this month, beating his former boss Phoebe Waller-Bridge among others, and on Friday he picked up best male performance in a comedy performance and best scripted comedy.
In the acting category, he beat out Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa, Man Like Mobeen’s Guz Khan and Home’s Yousse Kerkour, while in the scripted comedy category,...
The show follows an incompetent rental agent, played by creator Jamie Demetriou, who runs a Greek-Cypriot letting agency in London, owned by his father. It has echoes of the original BBC version of The Office or Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge character.
Demetriou, who played the bus suitor with big teeth in Fleabag’s first season, picked up a craft award for best comedy writing earlier this month, beating his former boss Phoebe Waller-Bridge among others, and on Friday he picked up best male performance in a comedy performance and best scripted comedy.
In the acting category, he beat out Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa, Man Like Mobeen’s Guz Khan and Home’s Yousse Kerkour, while in the scripted comedy category,...
- 7/31/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Richard Ayoade will host the Bafta TV Awards for the first time on July 31.
Chernobyl leads the nominations for this year’s Bafta Television and Bafta Craft awards, which were postponed from May to July due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Sky/HBO mini-series is up for 14 awards (11 craft and three television), including Jarred Harris for leading actor, Stellan Skarsgard for supporting actor and best mini-series.
The Crown has the next highest number of nominations with seven, including drama series, Josh O’Connor for supporting actor and Helena Bonham Carter for supporting actress.
Fleabag and Giri/Haji both have six nominations.
Chernobyl leads the nominations for this year’s Bafta Television and Bafta Craft awards, which were postponed from May to July due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Sky/HBO mini-series is up for 14 awards (11 craft and three television), including Jarred Harris for leading actor, Stellan Skarsgard for supporting actor and best mini-series.
The Crown has the next highest number of nominations with seven, including drama series, Josh O’Connor for supporting actor and Helena Bonham Carter for supporting actress.
Fleabag and Giri/Haji both have six nominations.
- 6/4/2020
- by 1101184¦Orlando Parfitt¦38¦
- ScreenDaily
‘Pure’ writer Kirstie Swain will write and exec-produce the eight-episode series.
Sky has unveiled a new slate of original shows for 2020, including a new series from See-Saw Films and Pure writer Kirstie Swain.
The pay-tv operator unveiled six new shows at its Up Next event at the Tate Modern in London on February 12, taking its number of originals to 80 in 2020 – 25% more than last year.
Launches include eight-episode dark comedy Sweetpea for Sky Atlantic, based on C.J. Skuse’s 2017 book, from See-Saw Films and Sky Studios.
Pure writer Kirstie Swain has penned the series, which explores how a seemingly normal...
Sky has unveiled a new slate of original shows for 2020, including a new series from See-Saw Films and Pure writer Kirstie Swain.
The pay-tv operator unveiled six new shows at its Up Next event at the Tate Modern in London on February 12, taking its number of originals to 80 in 2020 – 25% more than last year.
Launches include eight-episode dark comedy Sweetpea for Sky Atlantic, based on C.J. Skuse’s 2017 book, from See-Saw Films and Sky Studios.
Pure writer Kirstie Swain has penned the series, which explores how a seemingly normal...
- 2/13/2020
- by 1100365¦Alex Farber Broadcast¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Rising British comedy star Samson Kayo and Absolutely Fabulous’ Jane Horrocks are to star in a comedy about a pair of paramedics for Sky.
Bloods, which is produced by Roughcut TV, the production company set up by The Office producer Ash Atalla responsible for BBC’s People Just Do Nothing, sees Kayo, who stars in BBC’s Famalam and ITV2’s Timewasters, and Horrocks, who played Bubble in the classic BBC sitcom, play paramedic partners in the South London ambulance service.
When tough-acting loner Maleek (Kayo) is paired with over-friendly divorcee Wendy (Horrocks), their partnership looks dead on arrival. But pretty soon they’re giving each other life support. An ensemble comedy, set within the fast-paced, never-ending rush of 999 call outs, Bloods charts Maleek and Wendy’s struggle to gain the respect of their fellow paramedics.
The Comcast-backed broadcaster has ordered six-episodes of the series. Created by Kayo,...
Bloods, which is produced by Roughcut TV, the production company set up by The Office producer Ash Atalla responsible for BBC’s People Just Do Nothing, sees Kayo, who stars in BBC’s Famalam and ITV2’s Timewasters, and Horrocks, who played Bubble in the classic BBC sitcom, play paramedic partners in the South London ambulance service.
When tough-acting loner Maleek (Kayo) is paired with over-friendly divorcee Wendy (Horrocks), their partnership looks dead on arrival. But pretty soon they’re giving each other life support. An ensemble comedy, set within the fast-paced, never-ending rush of 999 call outs, Bloods charts Maleek and Wendy’s struggle to gain the respect of their fellow paramedics.
The Comcast-backed broadcaster has ordered six-episodes of the series. Created by Kayo,...
- 2/12/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The U.S. remake of People Just Do Nothing is not going to series at Amazon.
The streamer piloted a version of the successful BBC Three comedy, which was produced by The Office producer Ash Atalla.
However, Vernon Sanders, Co-Head, TV at Amazon Studios, told Deadline at the Winter TCA press tour that the project was not going forward.
Jorge Diaz (The Long Road Home) and Eliza Bennett (Sweet/Vicious) lead the ensemble cast of the single-camera comedy pilot with Andre Hyland (Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping), Conner McVicker (Vice Principals) and Amir Talai (La to Vegas) also cast in the project, written and executive produced by from Mehar Sethi.
Amazon @ TCA: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
The youth-skewing comedy moved the action from London to North Las Vegas. Shot in a mockumentary style, it followed a group of working class DJs and their friends in a land of mini malls and vast parking lots,...
The streamer piloted a version of the successful BBC Three comedy, which was produced by The Office producer Ash Atalla.
However, Vernon Sanders, Co-Head, TV at Amazon Studios, told Deadline at the Winter TCA press tour that the project was not going forward.
Jorge Diaz (The Long Road Home) and Eliza Bennett (Sweet/Vicious) lead the ensemble cast of the single-camera comedy pilot with Andre Hyland (Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping), Conner McVicker (Vice Principals) and Amir Talai (La to Vegas) also cast in the project, written and executive produced by from Mehar Sethi.
Amazon @ TCA: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
The youth-skewing comedy moved the action from London to North Las Vegas. Shot in a mockumentary style, it followed a group of working class DJs and their friends in a land of mini malls and vast parking lots,...
- 1/14/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The film is called ‘People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan’.
Filming has commenced on the feature adaptation of BBC’s Bafta-winning comedy series People Just Do Nothing, the mockumentary about pirate radio station Kurupt FM.
Entitled People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan, the film is shooting in Japan and the UK for six weeks. It will be released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland by Universal Pictures International in August 2020.
A first-look image from the film has been released, shown above.
It will pick up with the members of pirate radio station Kurupt FM, who head to...
Filming has commenced on the feature adaptation of BBC’s Bafta-winning comedy series People Just Do Nothing, the mockumentary about pirate radio station Kurupt FM.
Entitled People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan, the film is shooting in Japan and the UK for six weeks. It will be released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland by Universal Pictures International in August 2020.
A first-look image from the film has been released, shown above.
It will pick up with the members of pirate radio station Kurupt FM, who head to...
- 11/28/2019
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
Production is underway on an under-the-radar feature adaptation of BAFTA-winning BBC comedy series, People Just Do Nothing.
After five seasons of the cult mockumentary series on BBC and Netflix, People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan has begun shoot in Japan and the UK for six weeks and is due be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland in August 2020.
Focus Features and BBC Films financed the project and Universal Pictures International will distribute the film in the UK and Ireland. It is the first ever BBC Three series to be developed into a feature film.
The film, like the series, stars Allan Mustafa (Mc Grindah), Hugo Chegwin (DJ Beats), Asim Chaudhry (Chabuddy G), Steve Stamp (Steves), Dan Sylvester (Decoy), Lily Brazier (Miche), Hitomi Souno (Miki) and Ken Yamamura (Taka).
In the movie, life has been quiet for the Kurupt FM boys since the end of their pirate radio station.
After five seasons of the cult mockumentary series on BBC and Netflix, People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan has begun shoot in Japan and the UK for six weeks and is due be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland in August 2020.
Focus Features and BBC Films financed the project and Universal Pictures International will distribute the film in the UK and Ireland. It is the first ever BBC Three series to be developed into a feature film.
The film, like the series, stars Allan Mustafa (Mc Grindah), Hugo Chegwin (DJ Beats), Asim Chaudhry (Chabuddy G), Steve Stamp (Steves), Dan Sylvester (Decoy), Lily Brazier (Miche), Hitomi Souno (Miki) and Ken Yamamura (Taka).
In the movie, life has been quiet for the Kurupt FM boys since the end of their pirate radio station.
- 11/28/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Cannes — This past Monday, five international creatives pitched their prospective series before three jurors and a packed audience of industry watchers as part of the Canneseries In Development program, a joint venture between the upstart festival and the MipTV content market.
The event, titled “Oh My Pitch: Drama Writers’ Pitch,” hosted writers Sabrina Amerell & Alexandre Manneville, Johnny Maginn, Rachel Feldman, and Agata Koschmieder, who spoke of their four projects before a rapt crowd. As part of the hour-long session, jurors Ash Atalla (Roughcut Television), Christian Wikander (Twelve Town), and Jane Gogan (formerly RTÉ) grilled the writers regarding their goals, inspirations and targeted audiences for their pitched projects.
Following all its sessions, prominent European producer-distributor Federation Entertainment will offer one selected project cat In Development co-development, production and distribution assistance, while Gallic aid La Fabrique des Formats plans to pitch in financing help.
American showrunner Rachel Feldman spoke first, introducing her project “Kinks,...
The event, titled “Oh My Pitch: Drama Writers’ Pitch,” hosted writers Sabrina Amerell & Alexandre Manneville, Johnny Maginn, Rachel Feldman, and Agata Koschmieder, who spoke of their four projects before a rapt crowd. As part of the hour-long session, jurors Ash Atalla (Roughcut Television), Christian Wikander (Twelve Town), and Jane Gogan (formerly RTÉ) grilled the writers regarding their goals, inspirations and targeted audiences for their pitched projects.
Following all its sessions, prominent European producer-distributor Federation Entertainment will offer one selected project cat In Development co-development, production and distribution assistance, while Gallic aid La Fabrique des Formats plans to pitch in financing help.
American showrunner Rachel Feldman spoke first, introducing her project “Kinks,...
- 4/9/2019
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
16 projects will be presented during the event.
Miptv and Canneseries have unveiled the 16 projects due to be presented at the second edition of their In Development pitching event, a key component of their joint initiative the Cannes Creative Drama Forum.
Aimed at fast-tracking drama series production the forum, running during Canneseries (April 5-10) and Miptv (April 8-11), marks its second edition this year.
he selection includes Nabil Ayouch’s upcoming thriller Black-Out, produced under the banners of his Casablanca-based Ali N’Productions and Paris-based Les Films du Nouveau Monde.
It marks a first foray into high-end TV drama for Ayouch...
Miptv and Canneseries have unveiled the 16 projects due to be presented at the second edition of their In Development pitching event, a key component of their joint initiative the Cannes Creative Drama Forum.
Aimed at fast-tracking drama series production the forum, running during Canneseries (April 5-10) and Miptv (April 8-11), marks its second edition this year.
he selection includes Nabil Ayouch’s upcoming thriller Black-Out, produced under the banners of his Casablanca-based Ali N’Productions and Paris-based Les Films du Nouveau Monde.
It marks a first foray into high-end TV drama for Ayouch...
- 3/1/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Jorge Diaz (The Long Road Home) and Eliza Bennett (Sweet/Vicious) lead the ensemble cast of Amazon’s single-camera comedy pilot based on the UK series People Just Do Nothing. Andre Hyland (Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping), Conner McVicker (Vice Principals) and Amir Talai (La to Vegas) also have been cast as series regulars in the project, written and executive produced by from Mehar Sethi.
The untitled comedy based on the BAFTA-winning series is a mockumentary following a group of working class DJs and their friends in a town called North Las Vegas: a land of mini malls and vast parking lots, where the lights of The Strip act as a beacon of fame and glory that’s just out of reach. The series tracks their stumbling ambitions, and explores how relationships between friends and family evolve as the reality of your dreams starts to hit. It’s a...
The untitled comedy based on the BAFTA-winning series is a mockumentary following a group of working class DJs and their friends in a town called North Las Vegas: a land of mini malls and vast parking lots, where the lights of The Strip act as a beacon of fame and glory that’s just out of reach. The series tracks their stumbling ambitions, and explores how relationships between friends and family evolve as the reality of your dreams starts to hit. It’s a...
- 11/29/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
British broadcaster Channel 4 has appointed People Just Do Nothing producer Jon Petrie as a comedy commissioning editor.
He has produced all five seasons of the mockumentary comedy, which airs on BBC Three, working for Ash Atalla’s Roughcut Television as well as his own Roughcut-backed indie Little A. He also recently produced Stath Lets Flats for C4.
Petrie, who has also produces series including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Qi and Comic Relief, will join the channel in early 2019 and will report to Head of Comedy Fiona McDermott. He will work alongside Commissioning Editor Jack Bayles and Laura Riseam, who has recently been promoted to Commissioning Executive in the team.
Channel 4’s comedy slate includes Amazon co-pro Catastrophe and Hulu co-pro The Bisexual with new series coming up including Happy Af, Year of the Rabbit and Maxxx.
McDermott said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Jon to the team. He...
He has produced all five seasons of the mockumentary comedy, which airs on BBC Three, working for Ash Atalla’s Roughcut Television as well as his own Roughcut-backed indie Little A. He also recently produced Stath Lets Flats for C4.
Petrie, who has also produces series including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Qi and Comic Relief, will join the channel in early 2019 and will report to Head of Comedy Fiona McDermott. He will work alongside Commissioning Editor Jack Bayles and Laura Riseam, who has recently been promoted to Commissioning Executive in the team.
Channel 4’s comedy slate includes Amazon co-pro Catastrophe and Hulu co-pro The Bisexual with new series coming up including Happy Af, Year of the Rabbit and Maxxx.
McDermott said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Jon to the team. He...
- 11/14/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The creators of People Just Do Nothing have revealed a few details of the forthcoming U.S. remake, discussed a forthcoming feature film and revealed why they were hanging up their microphones in the UK.
Amazon is piloting a remake of the British mockumentary comedy, which is heading in to its fifth season on the BBC. The show follows the lives of a group of friends, including Mc Grindah and DJ Beats, who run Kurupt FM, a pirate radio station broadcasting UK garage and drum-and-bass from Brentford in West London.
The U.S version be will be set in North Las Vegas and will be written by It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and BoJack Horseman writer Mehar Sethi. It will be produced by British producer Roughcut TV in association with Amazon Studios and will be exec produced by creators Asim Chaudhry, Allan Mustafa, Steve Stamp and Hugo Chegwin as...
Amazon is piloting a remake of the British mockumentary comedy, which is heading in to its fifth season on the BBC. The show follows the lives of a group of friends, including Mc Grindah and DJ Beats, who run Kurupt FM, a pirate radio station broadcasting UK garage and drum-and-bass from Brentford in West London.
The U.S version be will be set in North Las Vegas and will be written by It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and BoJack Horseman writer Mehar Sethi. It will be produced by British producer Roughcut TV in association with Amazon Studios and will be exec produced by creators Asim Chaudhry, Allan Mustafa, Steve Stamp and Hugo Chegwin as...
- 11/7/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon has given a pilot order to an adaptation of People Just Do Nothing, a single-camera comedy based on the popular UK series.
Written by Mehar Sethi (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), the untitled project centers on a local pirate radio station and its hosts.
The British series is a mockumentary sitcom which follows the lives of Mc Grindah and DJ Beats who run Kurupt FM, a pirate radio station broadcasting UK garage and drum and bass from Brentford in west London. It features four main actors, Allan Mustafa, Steve Stamp, Asim Chaudhry and Hugo Chegwin, who have also formed a musical act that tours in character as “Kurupt FM”.
Mustafa, Stamp, Chaudhry and Chegin will executive produce the Amazon project. Chris Storer and Ash Atalla will executive produce for Roughcut TV.
Variety was first to report the pilot order.
Written by Mehar Sethi (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), the untitled project centers on a local pirate radio station and its hosts.
The British series is a mockumentary sitcom which follows the lives of Mc Grindah and DJ Beats who run Kurupt FM, a pirate radio station broadcasting UK garage and drum and bass from Brentford in west London. It features four main actors, Allan Mustafa, Steve Stamp, Asim Chaudhry and Hugo Chegwin, who have also formed a musical act that tours in character as “Kurupt FM”.
Mustafa, Stamp, Chaudhry and Chegin will executive produce the Amazon project. Chris Storer and Ash Atalla will executive produce for Roughcut TV.
Variety was first to report the pilot order.
- 10/25/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon has handed out a pilot order for a comedy based on the UK series “People Just Do Nothing,” Variety has learned exclusively.
The untitled, half-hour project is a mockumentary following a group of working class DJs and their friends in a town called North Las Vegas: a land of mini malls and vast parking lots, where the lights of The Strip act as a beacon of fame and glory that’s just out of reach. The series tracks their stumbling ambitions, and explores how relationships between friends and family evolve as the reality of peoples’ dreams starts to hit.
Mehar Sethi is the writer and executive producer on the project. Sethi has previously worked on shows like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “BoJack Horseman,” “The Cleveland Show,” and “The Mick.”
Hugo Chegwin, Steve Stamp, Asim Chaudhry and Allan Mustafa–creators, stars, and executive producers of “People Just Do Nothing”–will also executive produce.
The untitled, half-hour project is a mockumentary following a group of working class DJs and their friends in a town called North Las Vegas: a land of mini malls and vast parking lots, where the lights of The Strip act as a beacon of fame and glory that’s just out of reach. The series tracks their stumbling ambitions, and explores how relationships between friends and family evolve as the reality of peoples’ dreams starts to hit.
Mehar Sethi is the writer and executive producer on the project. Sethi has previously worked on shows like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “BoJack Horseman,” “The Cleveland Show,” and “The Mick.”
Hugo Chegwin, Steve Stamp, Asim Chaudhry and Allan Mustafa–creators, stars, and executive producers of “People Just Do Nothing”–will also executive produce.
- 10/24/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
New Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon wants new rules for pubcaster content on digital platforms and plans to take the fight to government and regulators. Six months into her role as chief executive of Britain’s edgiest public service broadcaster (Psb), she set out her vision for Channel 4 at an event in London on Wednesday.
The BBC has been railing against a perceived threat from the FAANGs, but Mahon identified another concern for pubcasters in the digital age: the prominence of their content on digital services and platforms.
The issue transcends the usual ratings rivalries between the traditional broadcasters, Mahon told Variety. “It’s not a Channel 4 point; it’s an industry thing,” she said. “How do you protect public service broadcasting, regardless of whether that’s helping me [as Channel 4] or the BBC, because public service is a bigger picture issue for us. If you put a streaming stick in, if...
The BBC has been railing against a perceived threat from the FAANGs, but Mahon identified another concern for pubcasters in the digital age: the prominence of their content on digital services and platforms.
The issue transcends the usual ratings rivalries between the traditional broadcasters, Mahon told Variety. “It’s not a Channel 4 point; it’s an industry thing,” she said. “How do you protect public service broadcasting, regardless of whether that’s helping me [as Channel 4] or the BBC, because public service is a bigger picture issue for us. If you put a streaming stick in, if...
- 5/16/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Feature film outfit Who’s On First will focus on producing mainstream comedies and dramas with transatlantic appeal.
Roughcut TV boss Ash Atalla and his former head of comedy Dan Hine have reunited to establish a comedy feature film company.
Who’s On First, which is backed by People Just Do Nothing indie Roughcut, will focus on producing mainstream comedy movies and comedy dramas with transatlantic appeal. Atalla and Hine plan to champion contemporary ideas which celebrate the humour and painful realities for living in a 21st century interconnected world.
The venture has secured funding from financing outfit Los Angles Media Fund (Lamf) for the development of its first feature, & Mrs. The project is a dark take on the wedding film genre – the story of a girl who decides to go ahead with her wedding ceremony despite the fact that the groom has just died. London-based Australian writer Melissa Bubnic (Shameless), is to pen the script.
Who...
Roughcut TV boss Ash Atalla and his former head of comedy Dan Hine have reunited to establish a comedy feature film company.
Who’s On First, which is backed by People Just Do Nothing indie Roughcut, will focus on producing mainstream comedy movies and comedy dramas with transatlantic appeal. Atalla and Hine plan to champion contemporary ideas which celebrate the humour and painful realities for living in a 21st century interconnected world.
The venture has secured funding from financing outfit Los Angles Media Fund (Lamf) for the development of its first feature, & Mrs. The project is a dark take on the wedding film genre – the story of a girl who decides to go ahead with her wedding ceremony despite the fact that the groom has just died. London-based Australian writer Melissa Bubnic (Shameless), is to pen the script.
Who...
- 10/31/2016
- ScreenDaily
London-based Roughcut TV is backing Who’s On First, a new feature film production shingle that’s a joint venture between Roughcut’s former head of comedy Dan Hine and managing director Ash Atalla. The focus will be on mainstream comedies and dramedies with full funding for the development of its first feature, & Mrs, secured via the Los Angeles Media Fund. & Mrs, penned by London-based Australian playwright Melissa Bubnic (Boys Will Be Boys, Shameless), is a darkly comic…...
- 10/31/2016
- Deadline TV
CSI: Cyber and Dawson’s Creek alum James Van Der Beek has joined upcoming Sky 1 family comedy Carters Get Rich. From Roughcut TV, the six-part half-hour series centers on a normal family as they try to hold onto their rags in the face of corrupting riches. It’s due to premiere this fall. Roughcut’s Ash Atalla (The Office) and Alex Smith are exec producing. The series is written by Claire Downes, Stuart Lane and Ian Jarvis. The story follows 11 year old Harry Carter who…...
- 6/28/2016
- Deadline TV
Self-proclaimed garage legends Kurupt FM and the BBC have confirmed the return of People Just Do Nothing for two more series.
The pirate radio crew first took over the BBC Comedy Feed in 2012, with a full iPlayer series following before a move to BBC Three for series two earlier this year.
Executive producer Ash Atalla said: "The Kurupt crew turned up unannounced at Danny Cohen's house and refused to leave until he commissioned two more series.
People Just Do Nothing: From YouTube origins to BBC Three success
"That doesn't make them bad people, it makes them determined and I like that."
Producer Jon Petrie added: "The boys did already announce the good news on Kurupt FM, but they only transmit as far as Shepherd's Bush and have 50 listeners, so we thought a BBC press release might be more effective."...
The pirate radio crew first took over the BBC Comedy Feed in 2012, with a full iPlayer series following before a move to BBC Three for series two earlier this year.
Executive producer Ash Atalla said: "The Kurupt crew turned up unannounced at Danny Cohen's house and refused to leave until he commissioned two more series.
People Just Do Nothing: From YouTube origins to BBC Three success
"That doesn't make them bad people, it makes them determined and I like that."
Producer Jon Petrie added: "The boys did already announce the good news on Kurupt FM, but they only transmit as far as Shepherd's Bush and have 50 listeners, so we thought a BBC press release might be more effective."...
- 10/9/2015
- Digital Spy
People Just Do Nothing returns to BBC Three tonight for a second run - one year on from its first full series, three years after its launch as an iPlayer 'Comedy Feed' pilot, and five years since its earliest outings on YouTube.
Devised by a group of friends, the sitcom / mockumentary was inspired by The Office, Spinal Tap and Curb Your Enthusiasm - but especially (and appropriately) by a BBC Three documentary series, Tower Block Dreams, which explored the underground music scene in UK council estates.
The early webisodes of People Just Do Nothing - following the deluded crew of pirate radio station Kurupt FM, led by Mc Grindah (Allan Mustafa) and DJ Beats (Hugo Chegwin) - were shot guerilla-style, with no budget and, for the most part, no scripts.
But these early amateur efforts generated a cult following and eventually attracted the attention of Roughcut TV's Ash Atalla, producer on The Office.
Devised by a group of friends, the sitcom / mockumentary was inspired by The Office, Spinal Tap and Curb Your Enthusiasm - but especially (and appropriately) by a BBC Three documentary series, Tower Block Dreams, which explored the underground music scene in UK council estates.
The early webisodes of People Just Do Nothing - following the deluded crew of pirate radio station Kurupt FM, led by Mc Grindah (Allan Mustafa) and DJ Beats (Hugo Chegwin) - were shot guerilla-style, with no budget and, for the most part, no scripts.
But these early amateur efforts generated a cult following and eventually attracted the attention of Roughcut TV's Ash Atalla, producer on The Office.
- 7/14/2015
- Digital Spy
Modern Family co-creator and executive producer Steven Levitan will be a keynote speaker at Mip-tv next month in Cannes. The speech will be followed by a Comedy Masterclass with Amazon Head of Comedy Joe Lewis; Jill Offman, MD of Comedy Central UK, and Svp Comedy at Viacom International Media Networks; and Ash Atalla, MD & Executive Producer of Roughcut Television (The Office). The two comedy sessions are part of Drama at Mip-tv, a two-day track split into showcases from…...
- 3/13/2015
- Deadline TV
NBC has ordered comedy pilot “Cuckoo” from Tim Long, a longtime producer on “The Simpsons.”
The single-camera comedy tells the story of a daughter who comes back from a summer abroad after marrying a charming but infuriating eccentric named Cuckoo, much to her father’s annoyance.
Also read: NBC Orders Drama Pilot ‘Game of Silence’ From ‘CSI,’ ‘Friday Night Lights’ Producers
Produced by Lionsgate Television and Roughcut TV, Long will serve as the showrunner, writer and executive producer. Robin French, Kieron Quirke and Ash Atalla also signed on as executive producers.
NBC recently ordered a string of comedy pilots titled...
The single-camera comedy tells the story of a daughter who comes back from a summer abroad after marrying a charming but infuriating eccentric named Cuckoo, much to her father’s annoyance.
Also read: NBC Orders Drama Pilot ‘Game of Silence’ From ‘CSI,’ ‘Friday Night Lights’ Producers
Produced by Lionsgate Television and Roughcut TV, Long will serve as the showrunner, writer and executive producer. Robin French, Kieron Quirke and Ash Atalla also signed on as executive producers.
NBC recently ordered a string of comedy pilots titled...
- 1/29/2015
- by Alicia Banks
- The Wrap
Sarah Silverman has signed on to star in a comedy with HBO, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.
The untitled project focuses on a Silverman portraying an honest woman dealing with a midlife crisis.
In addition to starring, Silverman will executive produce the comedy. Lucy Prebble (“Secret Diary of a Call Girl”) will write the pilot and executive produce with Silverman, Ash Atalla (“Trollied,” “Cuckoo”), Silverman’s manager Amy Zvi and Dan Hine (“Cuckoo”).
The comedy reunites Silverman and HBO after the network decided not to move forward last year with “People in New Jersey,” a series...
The untitled project focuses on a Silverman portraying an honest woman dealing with a midlife crisis.
In addition to starring, Silverman will executive produce the comedy. Lucy Prebble (“Secret Diary of a Call Girl”) will write the pilot and executive produce with Silverman, Ash Atalla (“Trollied,” “Cuckoo”), Silverman’s manager Amy Zvi and Dan Hine (“Cuckoo”).
The comedy reunites Silverman and HBO after the network decided not to move forward last year with “People in New Jersey,” a series...
- 12/18/2014
- by Alicia Banks
- The Wrap
Sarah Silverman is returning to HBO. A year after the premium cable network passed on People in New Jersey, HBO has picked up an untitled comedy starring the comedian-actress, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The untitled comedy is described as a comedic look at a pathologically honest woman (Silverman) having a modern midlife crisis. Silverman will star and executive produce the comedy. Secret Diary of a Call Girl's Lucy Prebble will pen the script and exec produce alongside Silverman, Ash Atalla (Trollied, Cuckoo) Silverman's manager Amy Zvi and Dan Hine (Cuckoo). See more 40 Years of HBO The
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- 12/18/2014
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The critically acclaimed BBC Three comedy People Just Do Nothing has won a second series.
The mockumentary series follows the story of the bumbling creators of Brentford's pirate radio station Kurupt FM, self-proclaimed garage legend Mc Grindah and his second-in-command DJ Beats.
The show started out on the BBC's Comedy Feeds in 2012, before getting a full series earlier this year.
"Big up everyone for showing love," said Mc Grindah.
"We have infiltrated the industry and now we're gonna destroy it! ...Well, not destroy it... make it better probably."
The crew's co-star Chabuddy G added: "Ah thank God. I could do with a bit of airtime. These re-usable laser eye surgery kits won't sell themselves."
The five episode series will air on BBC Three in 2015.
Exec producer Ash Atalla joked: "When new talent is this good, and this cheap, the BBC insists on a second series.
"In truth, I think People Just Do Nothing...
The mockumentary series follows the story of the bumbling creators of Brentford's pirate radio station Kurupt FM, self-proclaimed garage legend Mc Grindah and his second-in-command DJ Beats.
The show started out on the BBC's Comedy Feeds in 2012, before getting a full series earlier this year.
"Big up everyone for showing love," said Mc Grindah.
"We have infiltrated the industry and now we're gonna destroy it! ...Well, not destroy it... make it better probably."
The crew's co-star Chabuddy G added: "Ah thank God. I could do with a bit of airtime. These re-usable laser eye surgery kits won't sell themselves."
The five episode series will air on BBC Three in 2015.
Exec producer Ash Atalla joked: "When new talent is this good, and this cheap, the BBC insists on a second series.
"In truth, I think People Just Do Nothing...
- 11/13/2014
- Digital Spy
Twilight star Taylor Lautner must be having a great birthday, as news just came out that he is set to join the cast of Cuckoo, a culture-clashing comedy hit that airs on the BBC.
Lautner, who turns 22 on Feb. 11, will have big (clown) shoes to fill on the show – he is replacing comedian Andy Samberg as the lead male actor.
The first season of Cuckoo starred Samberg as Cuckoo, the hippie husband and self-appointed spiritual ninja of a middle-class English girl who brings him home after a summer abroad. Her parents are unpleasantly surprised by their daughter's New Age transformation and choice of spouse,...
Lautner, who turns 22 on Feb. 11, will have big (clown) shoes to fill on the show – he is replacing comedian Andy Samberg as the lead male actor.
The first season of Cuckoo starred Samberg as Cuckoo, the hippie husband and self-appointed spiritual ninja of a middle-class English girl who brings him home after a summer abroad. Her parents are unpleasantly surprised by their daughter's New Age transformation and choice of spouse,...
- 2/11/2014
- by Melissa Locker
- People.com - TV Watch
Twilight's Taylor Lautner is the surprise replacement for Andy Samberg in BBC Three's second series of Cuckoo.
Samberg exits the show after one series, following the huge success of his Fox sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Many predicted the BBC Three comedy would end with his departure.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine: 9 reasons to watch E4's hilarious new Us comedy
However, the casting of Hollywood star Lautner has revived the sitcom, which also stars Greg Davies, Helen Baxendale, Tamla Kari and Tyger Drew-Honey.
The first series of Cuckoo won a record-breaking launch audience for BBC Three and also earned two British Comedy Award nominations.
Series two picks up with Samberg's character Cuckoo missing - presumed dead - in the Himalayas, and his young widow Rachel (Kari) is still suffering from the loss of her husband.
Lautner is cast as "a handsome and mysterious young stranger" in Lichfield, who shakes up the fragile equilibrium.
Samberg exits the show after one series, following the huge success of his Fox sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Many predicted the BBC Three comedy would end with his departure.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine: 9 reasons to watch E4's hilarious new Us comedy
However, the casting of Hollywood star Lautner has revived the sitcom, which also stars Greg Davies, Helen Baxendale, Tamla Kari and Tyger Drew-Honey.
The first series of Cuckoo won a record-breaking launch audience for BBC Three and also earned two British Comedy Award nominations.
Series two picks up with Samberg's character Cuckoo missing - presumed dead - in the Himalayas, and his young widow Rachel (Kari) is still suffering from the loss of her husband.
Lautner is cast as "a handsome and mysterious young stranger" in Lichfield, who shakes up the fragile equilibrium.
- 2/11/2014
- Digital Spy
The actor is about to appear in the return of BBC1's Sherlock and Peter Jackson's blockbuster sequel The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
There was a scene in The Office in which Tim Canterbury, the benign sales rep played by Martin Freeman, compared his life to a roll of the dice.
"My situation now may only be a three. If I jack that in, go for something bigger and better, I could easily roll a six," he told the programme's faux documentary maker. "I could also roll a one. Ok? So I think … just leave the dice alone."
Freeman, who will star alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in the eagerly awaited return on New Year's Day of BBC1's Sherlock, and as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's blockbuster sequel The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug next week, has just rolled a double six.
It has been an extraordinary rise for the 42-year-old actor,...
There was a scene in The Office in which Tim Canterbury, the benign sales rep played by Martin Freeman, compared his life to a roll of the dice.
"My situation now may only be a three. If I jack that in, go for something bigger and better, I could easily roll a six," he told the programme's faux documentary maker. "I could also roll a one. Ok? So I think … just leave the dice alone."
Freeman, who will star alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in the eagerly awaited return on New Year's Day of BBC1's Sherlock, and as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's blockbuster sequel The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug next week, has just rolled a double six.
It has been an extraordinary rise for the 42-year-old actor,...
- 12/7/2013
- by John Plunkett
- The Guardian - Film News
Andy Samberg may have left NBC for Fox with this fall's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," but it looks as though his spirit hasn't been forgotten at the Peacock.
On Wednesday (Oct. 9), Entertainment Weekly confirmed that NBC had given a put pilot commitment to a U.S. remake of Samberg's BBC Three comedy "Cuckoo." The Brit series tells the story of a normal family who finds themselves shaken when their daughter returns from a summer abroad with a surprise husband in tow, the very unusual Cuckoo, a wacky hippie whom Samberg portrayed.
U.K. writers Robin French and Kieron Quirke are attached as executive producers and writers on the remake, with Tim Long ("The Simpsons") on board as executive producer and showrunner. The original executive producers, Ash Atalla and Dan Hine, are also attached as producers.
Unless something goes wrong over at Fox, it's not likely that Samberg will be involved.
Check out...
On Wednesday (Oct. 9), Entertainment Weekly confirmed that NBC had given a put pilot commitment to a U.S. remake of Samberg's BBC Three comedy "Cuckoo." The Brit series tells the story of a normal family who finds themselves shaken when their daughter returns from a summer abroad with a surprise husband in tow, the very unusual Cuckoo, a wacky hippie whom Samberg portrayed.
U.K. writers Robin French and Kieron Quirke are attached as executive producers and writers on the remake, with Tim Long ("The Simpsons") on board as executive producer and showrunner. The original executive producers, Ash Atalla and Dan Hine, are also attached as producers.
Unless something goes wrong over at Fox, it's not likely that Samberg will be involved.
Check out...
- 10/10/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Andy Samberg is about to go a little crazy … or cuckoo, rather.
EW has confirmed that NBC has given a put pilot commitment to a U.S. remake of BBC Three’s Cuckoo, a story about a normal family who gets a rude awakening when their daughter returns from a summer abroad having married a very unusual man named Cuckoo (think hippie). UK writers Robin French and Kieron Quirke will serve as executive producers and writers on the remake with The Simpsons’ Tim Long attached as executive producer and showrunner. The original series’ executive producers, Ash Atalla and Dan Hine,...
EW has confirmed that NBC has given a put pilot commitment to a U.S. remake of BBC Three’s Cuckoo, a story about a normal family who gets a rude awakening when their daughter returns from a summer abroad having married a very unusual man named Cuckoo (think hippie). UK writers Robin French and Kieron Quirke will serve as executive producers and writers on the remake with The Simpsons’ Tim Long attached as executive producer and showrunner. The original series’ executive producers, Ash Atalla and Dan Hine,...
- 10/9/2013
- by Samantha Highfill
- EW - Inside TV
Exclusive: Breakout BBC Three comedy Cuckoo starring Andy Sambergt is getting an U.S. remake via NBC, the network behind the most successful British comedy adaptation in the past decade, The Office. NBC has given a put pilot commitment to the single-camera project, from Lionsgate TV and the original series’ producer Roughcut Television. Cuckoo is the story of a middle-class family whose daughter comes back from a summer abroad married to a charming but infuriating hippie moron — a guy called Cuckoo. UK writers Robin French and Kieron Quirke, who created the BBC series, will write the adaptation, with The Simpsons veteran Tim Long on board as showrunner. French, Quirke and Long executive produce with the original series’ exec producers Ash Atalla and Dan Hine. In the British series, an English girl returns home from her post-college gap year with an eccentric hippie American husband named Cuckoo, played by Samberg in...
- 10/8/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
She's Anna, she's Katy, and together they are Anna and Katy!
A couple of years after their well-received Comedy Lab, Anna Crilly and Katy Wix have finally got their own full-length sketch show, which starts this Wednesday on Channel 4.
As big fans of sketch, Digital Spy were very excited to sit down with the duo to quiz them about comedy, controversy, and sharing an award nomination with Rylan Clark. Here's what they had to say.
When did you decide to start doing sketch together?
Anna: "We met doing stand-up in 2003 and we weren't very good at it! Either of us. We both thought each other were funny."
Katy: "Dreadful... I hadn't really seen any comedy, that was my problem."
Anna: "I certainly wasn't ready to do an hour of stand-up at Edinburgh the following year. So I said to old Wixy, 'Let's get together and do some sketches'. And the rest is herstory.
A couple of years after their well-received Comedy Lab, Anna Crilly and Katy Wix have finally got their own full-length sketch show, which starts this Wednesday on Channel 4.
As big fans of sketch, Digital Spy were very excited to sit down with the duo to quiz them about comedy, controversy, and sharing an award nomination with Rylan Clark. Here's what they had to say.
When did you decide to start doing sketch together?
Anna: "We met doing stand-up in 2003 and we weren't very good at it! Either of us. We both thought each other were funny."
Katy: "Dreadful... I hadn't really seen any comedy, that was my problem."
Anna: "I certainly wasn't ready to do an hour of stand-up at Edinburgh the following year. So I said to old Wixy, 'Let's get together and do some sketches'. And the rest is herstory.
- 3/4/2013
- Digital Spy
Exclusive: Fox has put two more comedies in development, The George Clooney Manifesto, executive produced by director-producer Mark Waters (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday) and Manchild, exec produced by Ash Atalla, who was a producer on the British series The Office and The It Crowd. Written/co-executive produced by playwright Annie Hendy (The Catholic Girl’s Guide To Losing Your Virginity), The George Clooney Manifesto centers on a single woman who, sick of the “shoulds” and “should nots” of society’s double standards about dating, decides from this point on she is going to act like George Clooney and live life to the fullest. Waters is set to direct and will executive produce with producing partner Jessica Tuchinsky through their Watermark production company. 20th Century Fox TV is producing. Last season Waters directed the CBS pilot Made In Jersey, which went to series. He is currently directing the Lifetime pilot The Witches Of East End.
- 10/15/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
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