Good news for fans of Channel 4 and E4 comedy today in that C4 is to air a new prank show, entitled, I’m Spazticus, and E4 have renewed sitcom, PhoneShop.

Starting with the announcement of the new show, C4 describe it as “a brand new prank show featuring disabled performers pranking able bodied members of the public.”

There will apparently be, “A mix of hidden camera, moc doc and with a studio based element, the show will feature a number of recurring characters as well as one-offs.”

Commissioned initially for five episodes, each thirty minutes long, the pilot episode will air to coincide with Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympics this year…

Of the new show, Nerys Evans, Commissioner of Channel 4 Comedy, said “We’re very excited to be doing a show that first and foremost will be very funny and also showcases some of the very best disabled talent both on screen and behind the camera.”

And Jamie O’Leary, producer of I’m Spazticus, added, “‘I’m Spazticus uses the world of comedy to explore the world of disability; employing disabled writers and a cast of disabled on-screen talent to play pranks on an unsuspecting general public.

“Whilst this far from revenge TV we hope it’s both barrier and ground breaking – it will never be worthy and box-ticking but hopefully funny and very funny.”

On now to the renewal of E4’s PhoneShop for a third series, Phil Bowker, who writes, produces and directs the show, said, “We are genuinely delighted that we’re going to get to work with the good people , at E4 again this year.

“PhoneShop is something I care deeply about and it’s incredible (and rare) to be able to nurture and grow it in the company of people who have an unparalleled enthusiasm and understanding of your show.”

The show is expected to return with the new series later this year.

View the original post Channel 4 commissions new prank show I’m Spazticus, and renews PhoneShop on Unreality TV

An exciting new interactive “experiment” has been announced by ITV which will see fans of Emmerdale able to interact with their favourite characters and delve deeper into the show’s plotlines.

According to Televisual, ITV revealed that they’ve joined forces with media company Somethin’ Else to extend Emmerdale storylines “beyond the television screen and into the digital universe.”

The site goes on to say that when the new initiative is launched, the show’s plotlines will develop off the screen as well as on it, and fans will be able to follow the events – and the major characters in it – of the storyline online and via their mobile phones.

Ben Freeman, who’s the head of soap and drama at ITV, said: “We are really excited to be working with Somethin’ Else to expand the storytelling canvas for one of the nation’s most loved soaps…

“We aim to transform the franchise into a multi-platform brand, and hope that digital activity will become a key element to the Emmerdale franchise.”

And Stuart Blackburn, the show’s executive producer, added, “This is an exciting proposition for Emmerdale and will give us a unique opportunity to provide viewers with a more interactive experience.

“From discovering what characters really think about each other by following their private messages, to seeing unseen footage filmed on their mobile phones, our rapidly developing online initiative will bring new ways of telling stories.”

There’s no news yet as to when this will launch, but we’ll of course keep you posted. It sounds very interesting doesn’t it?!

View the original post Emmerdale to extend “beyond the TV and into the digital universe!” on Unreality TV

As fans of EastEnders will know, Tyler Moon is in love with Whitney Dean, however, though she clearly has feelings for him too, she’s dating Fatboy Chubb…

However, when troublemaker Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater) lies to Tyler by telling him that Fatboy (Ricky Norwood) intends to propose to Whitney (Shona McGarty) on Valentine’s Day, Tyler decides he must tell Whitney how he feels before it’s too late.

But of course, Fatboy has no intention of proposing, so Tyler’s “I love you” confession leaves Whitney utterly confused. But will she go with her heart and ditch Fatboy for Tyler? Or will she do the sensible thing and stay with the lovely Fats?

Well, according to Tony Discipline – who’s been talking to Soaplife about his character’s love for Whitney – she chooses Fatboy. For now, at any rate…

Of his character’s Valentine’s Day confession to Whitney, Tony explained, “He thinks, ‘I can’t just put aside my feelings’.
“He’s in love with her. The initial attraction was that she gave him nothing at all – she punched him to start with.

“Now he’s fallen in love with her as a person – he knows she’s really kind and caring. She’s the one for him.”

And when asked, “Why hasn’t he told her?” Tony said, “Because he has this whole bromance thing going on with Fat Boy.

“He’s respecting this, but he’s got to the point where his feelings for Whitney are just too strong.

“Lucy starts meddling and tells Tyler that Fat Boy is going to propose to Whitney on Valentine’s Day. They’re at R&R and Tyler feels he has to reveal his feelings for her.

“[But] Whitney tells him it’s too late. He’s really hurt. He knows what he feels about Whitney and he knows he wants to be there for her, but he can’t put it into the right words.

“This is all new to Tyler. He’s never found a girl that he really wants to be with like this.”

However, if Tyler and Whitney ever do get together, Tony hopes it’ll be for keeps.

He said, “Once they finally get together and everyone’s accepted it for what it is and they’re left alone, I think they could go really far…

”They would have a big East End wedding. Maybe they’d get Tyler’s dad Eddie back from Spain.”

I’d love to see Eddie back, but I really want Whitney to stay with Fatboy. He’s been so hurt in the past bless him. But there again, maybe she should leave him and let him find someone who really appreciates him!

What do you think?

View the original post EastEnders star Tony Discipline wants Tyler and Whitney to marry! on Unreality TV

Steven Spielberg has of course hit on yet another blockbuster story in his movie, War Horse, but today, Channel 4 have revealed that they will air a documentary which focuses on the real story behind the film.

The press release about War Horse: The True Story, states that the documentary, “is the extraordinary and deeply moving story of the million British horses who served in WWI.”

Adding that the true story “is even more epic” than the film, it will feature rarely seen archive and equally rare archive testimony from WWI veterans who worked with the horses.

There will also be commentary and film footage from experts such as former RSPCA Chief Vet Mark Evans, historian Richard van Emden and British Army expert Dr David Kenyon, which will be combined with the latest historical research.

The Channel 4 film will begin with the mass call up of horses from every farm and country estate in Britain. Racing commentator Brough Scott will tell how his aristocratic grandfather, General Jack Seely, and his beloved horse Warrior – who would become the most famous horse of the war – showed enormous courage on the battlefield.

However, tragically, a quarter of a million horses died from shrapnel wounds and disease during the war, but the deep bond that developed between a man and his horse during the war helped both survive the hell of the Somme and Passchendaele.

Of the documentary, Channel 4 Specialist Factual Commissioning Editor Julia Harrington said, “I love a reactive piece – and this story has just such great social history behind it.

“Testimony’s film is a tear jerker but told with the real facts and incredible stills and archive.

“Look out for the horses having their heads bandaged behind the lines!”

An air date hasn’t yet been confirmed, but we’ll keep you posted.

View the original post Channel 4 to air, War Horse: The True Story on Unreality TV

As we reported yesterday, a fire decimated one of the buildings used by the River Cottage team, where Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall holds cookery classes.

The blaze at the site, in Axminster, Devon, happened on Tuesday night, and it took fire-fighters several hours to get it under control.

Hugh is currently filming on location abroad, but on learning the news, he posted on his personal blog, “I’m filming a long way away right now and it’s just impossible to imagine.

“I’m so shocked to hear the news of the fire in our barn at Park Farm, our River Cottage HQ…

“Obviously it’s a huge relief that nobody’s been hurt, and I’m very grateful to the local fire brigade for their prompt response and all their help.”

It apparently took Channel 4 staff 36 hours to contact Hugh by satellite phone, however, as soon as he was apprised of the situation, he vowed to rebuild the kitchen.

He said, “In due course we’ll set about restoring our lovely Devon barn to its former glory.”

In a statement given to the Telegraph, Mike Burroughs, of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said, ”It is too early to speculate on the cause of the fire but I can categorically state that the fire did not start in the wood-fired bread oven or the fish smoker.”

The roof of the cookery school kitchen, which is a restored 17th century barn, was completely destroyed by the fire, with much of the remaining original wood left charred and blackened.

Prior to the blaze, the River Cottage website said of the barn, “A beautifully restored threshing barn, with its oak floor and large windows, (it) is a glorious space at any time of the year.

“Of course the River Cottage kitchen team never disappoint, cooking up wonderful celebratory dinners using the very best local produce.”

A spokesman for the show added, “The barn is only one of several buildings at Park Farm which are used for courses and events, and there are plans being discussed today for an additional kitchen and events space to support these.”

Here’s a clip recorded while the fire was in progress…

And you can click here to see what remains of the building in a BBC News report.

View the original post Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was “shocked” to hear about River Cottage fire on Unreality TV

Fan of the now defunct sitcom Gavin and Stacey – this one included – are eagerly awaiting some form of a reprisal, and last year, Ruth Jones – who of course co-wrote and starred in the show, alongside James Corden – suggested she might consider penning a musical version.

However, while speaking to the Sun, Rob Brydon, who starred as Bryn, has slated the idea, branding it, “a bit pants,” and adding, “It was perfect, leave it like that.”

Ruth, who’s currently starring in her new Sky1 comedy Stella, said of the musical, “The characters are big enough to work in a musical setting and James Corden and I both like a bit of a song…”

However, in an interview with the Radio Times last year, she added, “If there’s a way of doing a song where you don’t actually have to sing, I might get away with it.”

Rob went on to say, “The greatest experience for the actors is actually doing the show and waiting six or seven months until it’s released.

“If they did (a Christmas special) I would definitely do it.”

Ruth has of course also previously hinted that she and James could or would write another Christmas special, given the opportunity, but as she’s now penning a second series of Stella, I would guess she won’t have the time to do that this year.

Which blows.

I have to say, Rob made Gavin and Stacey for me. He was by far the funniest person in it. Here’s a reminder of why…

And here’s another reason why we NEED another Gavin and Stacey special; to find out what did happen on that fishing trip…

View the original post Rob Brydon says Gavin and Stacey musical would be “a bit pants” on Unreality TV

It’s been revealed today that TV presenter Holly Wibbly is set to step into the footsteps of Cilla Black to reprise her tearjerker show, Surprise Surprise.

Fans of the original – which ran from 1987 to 1997 – will recall that the show reunited families who, for some reason, hadn’t seen each other in decades, or had never met before.

Comedian Bob Carolgees and his puppet sidekick Spit the Dog also starred in the original, but it’s not yet known if he’ll be returning for the remake.

The Sun states, “The new show will feature similarly uplifting features, such as bringing distant relatives back together. And the trademark practical jokes and prank phone calls will also feature…”

And a show insider said, “Surprise Surprise was a big hit when it aired in the Eighties and Nineties and viewers remember it fondly.

“We’ll be updating the show and giving it a modern twist but the essence will still be the same.

“Some of the best episodes were when we reunited family members who hadn’t seen each other for decades so we’ll hopefully be doing that again.”

The new show will debut in the autumn, and if it’s successful, it’s likely to lead to a series or at least several special episodes.

Here’s a reminder of Cilla in the role of host of the show…

View the original post Holly Willoughby to host remake of Surprise Surprise on Unreality TV

It’s been reported by the Daily Star that whoever kills rapist Frank Foster may go on to murder two other people in order to silence them when they find out he/she is a killer.

And, the paper has also revealed the names of six suspects, and one of them WILL turn out to be the killer!

As this post contains spoilers, click ‘Read more’ only if you want to know!

Frank, who is of course played by Andrew Lancel, will be murdered within the next four weeks, but before he dies, his web of lies will unravel in spectacular fashion as his mum Anne (Gwen Taylor) finds out that her son did in fact rape Carla (Alison King).

Also, Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor) will find out that Frank has been having an affair behind her back, and when she confronts him, he’ll make vile threats against her.

So, without further ado, here are the six Weatherfield residents who’ll be in frame…

Sally Webster, Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell), Anne Foster, Carla Connor, Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) and Peter Barlow (Chris Gascogne).

And as mentioned above, when Frank’s killer finds out that two other people know he/she did it, there could be more murders as the killer desperately tries to avoid prison.

Let’s look at the evidence *spoken as per Lloyd Grossman…

When Sally finds out Frank’s been cheating on her, she tells him, “What the hell’s going on, Frank? I loved you. How could you do this to me?”

Then Kevin becomes a suspect when the police discover that someone tampered with the brakes on Frank’s.

As mentioned above, Frank’s mum Anne is horrified when she learns her son did rape Carla, and she’s determined to punish him.

Anne tells Carla, “I know Frank raped you. But I swear I only found out after the trial. I heard him on the phone to you taunting you about it.

“Frank was lying to me when he was guilty all along.”

Carla of course have double the motive for wanting Frank dead; revenge for the rape and his hostile takeover of the factory.

And there’s a twist! When Frank’s body is found, the police want to find Carla fast, but she’s gone to ground and is nowhere to be seen.

However, Peter, fearing that Carla did kill Frank, and wanting to save her from jail, goes to the police and confesses to murdering Frank!

As to Michelle, well, her motive is rather shaky, but the paper states, “Michelle is put in the frame when police discover she stole vital contracts from Frank to help Carla keep the factory.”

A show source said: “They all have a motive, but who has the guts to do it?

“This will be one of Corrie’s biggest whodunnits ever. Fans will be shocked when they watch it unfold.”

Who do you reckon it will be?

View the original post Corrie: Frank Foster’s murderer may kill two more people! on Unreality TV

Stella, the brainchild of Ruth Jones, has won over a loyal audience on Sky 1 HD. The first series’ debut was the second biggest UK comedy launch in multichannel history and the show continues to go from strength to strength as part of Sky 1’s Comedy Fridays.

A charming slice of the working-class Welsh Valleys, the show is a comedy drama that centres around the world of Stella (Ruth Jones), a 40-something mum juggling the ups and downs of family life, amid the chaos of her eccentric friends, relatives and children’s fathers.

Series Producer David Peet commented “For Tidy this is fantastic news. It’s been brilliant working with Sky to make a series that seems to have struck such a heart-warming chord with the audience.” Ruth Jones added : “I’m over the moon to hear that Sky want more Stella. I’m looking forward to getting back to Pontyberry again. Even though it doesn’t actually exist.”

Lucy Lumsden, Head of Comedy, Sky commented: ” All hail Ruth Jones. Stella was our first and biggest original comedy commission and we are thrilled that our customers love it as much as we do. Bring on the second series. ”

Stella is created by Ruth Jones with David Peet the series producer for Tidy Productions.

View the original post Sky 1 orders second series of Ruth Jones’ Stella! on Unreality TV

One of Corrie’s hottest couples – well, ok, not ‘hottest’ perhaps; more ‘pedestrian’ – Brian Packham and Julie Carp have some great storylines coming up, including making an enemy of feisty mum Kylie Platt, and becoming parents themselves!

Starting with the fracas Brian (Peter Gunn) is about to have with Kylie (Paula Lane), it all begins when the harassed Headmaster tries to enforce the school’s new healthy eating policy by banning junk food during school hours.

However, determined that she won’t be told what to feed her child, Kylie turns up at the school loaded with chips for the kids to share in the playground. And when Brian tries to confiscate the fried goodies, he ends up on his back, with not only a chip on his shoulder, but chips pretty much everywhere else too.

And curry sauce…

We’ll see that comedy scenario soon, but another less amusing storyline is that when Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) discovers she’s pregnant, Brian will accuse her of having had an affair, since he’s had a vasectomy.

And of course, that accusation – and the revelation that Brian didn’t previously tell her he couldn’t have children – will mortify the faithful Julie, but according to Katy, no matter what the circumstances, Julie will make a great mum.

Speaking to Inside Soap magazine, Katy said, “Julie will be ridiculous. She’ll take everything people tell her literally. It will drive her sister Eileen absolutely mad.

“Julie will work hard at being a mum, but it’ll be quite chaotic. She’ll probably end up leaving the child in the supermarket!

“She’ll adore her baby, though – it won’t be left wanting in the love department.”

And of the times Brian and Julie have discussed the prospect of becoming parents, Katy said, “She and Brian have been talking loads about having a child together, and he’s seemed really into the idea.

“The viewers may have been aware that he’s been looking a little bit shifty about the whole thing – but Julie hasn’t noticed that anything’s wrong.”

Looks like Brian’s going to have to eat a fairly big slice of humble pie as it must transpire that his tubes have re-tied. I wonder if that’s on his healthy eating plan?

View the original post Corrie: Brian Packham makes an enemy of Kylie Platt, and Katy Cavanagh says Julie will be a good mum on Unreality TV