Blaps. The new thing in Comedy.

1 August 2011

An Irish musical sensation and a daredevil maggot head up the first of Channel 4's new talent series.

Channel 4 has always led the field in comedy. Today we're announcing the first batch of the next big thing. Five new Comedy Blaps.

An online showcase for up and coming comedy talent, be they writers, directors, performers or animators, Comedy Blaps joins Comedy Labs and Comedy Showcases as a home for the UK and Ireland's best emerging comedy talent.

A series of short form videos, Blaps will be made available on Channel4.com, as podcasts and on other sites and will be promoted via ComedyOn4 on Facebook and Twitter.

Overseen by Multiplatform Commissioning Editor for Comedy and Entertainment, Jody Smith and Comedy Editor Fiona McDermott more Comedy Blaps will follow later this year.

Fiona McDermott; ‘We were stunned and impressed by the number of submissions and the amount of new talent that was brought to our attention throughout the Blaps process.  So we're genuinely excited by these first commissions, they harness the full scope of what we hope Blaps will be, that dual objective of being a stepping stone for some very promising new talent, on and off screen, whilst also adding a Channel 4 flavour to the ever burgeoning online comedy world."  

Launched in March this year 500 pitches were submitted and were distilled down to the very best. The first five are...

 

Hidden

Covert copper Rufus Fox is attempting to infiltrate the criminal underworld of a tough estate. Problem with Rufus is he's dangerously delusional about his talent and skills, and is seriously at risk of jeopardising his and his fellow officers lives at every turn. A live-action lo-fi gritty style belies the classic comedy of errors at the heart of this idea.

Prod Co: Objective Productions

 

Evil Kweevil

He's fearless, he's spineless. He's a daredevil maggot that drives a micro-machine. He's Evil Kweevil and he lives in your kitchen. We follow the highs and lows of this dare-devil stunt maggot, from his adventurous adrenalin filled days to his lonely tedium filled nights. Cry with sympathy when he breaks his spine, laugh with joy when he realises he doesn't have one!

Prod Co: Mock Tudor Films

 

 

The Rubberbandits

The Rubberbandits straddle the music and comedy worlds like a plastic bag wearing colossus. Mr Chrome and Blindboy Boat club play to sold out crowds not just in their native Ireland but all over the USA and beyond. We join them for the first time in short form episodes that combine the narrative of their weird existence with their musical genius.

Prod Co: Sideline (Ireland)

 

Viz

Like the British Museum, the National Gallery and Broadmoor Hospital for the Criminally Insane, Viz Comic is a national institution. Having despoiled the country's news-stands with its unique blend of crap jokes, and toilet-fixated cartoon strips, Viz will now despoil your screens, with band new episodes, letters, profanities and Top Tips presented by Roger Mellie, Sid the Sexist, Biffa Bacon and the Fat Slags. All brought to life with toppest class animation and A-list voice talent.

Prod Co: Baby Cow

 

Business Mouse

Fresh from the makers of Modern Toss comes a new cartoon idiot in the form of a little mouse built for big business, we're calling him Business Mouse. Watch as he blunders his way through deal after deal at rapid pace. Expect hilarious, hurricane velocity, stylish animation from this inspiring but reckless mouse entrepreneur and his portfolio of business associates.

Prod Co: Modern Toss