Ten new shows to look forward to in 2014
Here are ten brand new British comedy series we're really looking forward to seeing and judging how they turn out, when they make their début during 2014...
This police-based comedy drama will initially be launched with a single special in February, but a full series is to follow. It's written by Peep Show's Bain & Armstrong and is directed by Danny Boyle no less. Described by Channel 4 as "razor-sharp and visually audacious", Babylon promises to take a wry look at the people and politics in a modern police force. Guide
This new sitcom about two office employees who have been thrown together in their company's car share scheme is directed by and stars Peter Kay. Car Share, which was ordered by BBC One, is also notable because it'll be the first major show to be on iPlayer before television. The BBC says: "It will be a nifty new addition to his incredible body of work and the way it is being launched is very canny." Guide
Alison Steadman, Russ Abbot, Stephanie Beacham, June Whitfield, Philip Jackson, James Smith and Paula Wilcox ... with a cast list like that, you can see why we're looking forward to Grey Mates. The distinguished actors will be playing three newly-retired couples living in Norfolk. The show will be filmed in this spring. Guide
A new sitcom from Vic & Bob. It's been filmed in front of a live studio audience so should have a lot of energy to it. House Of Fools is actually due to start soon - the 14th January to be exact, so we already have a fair bit of info on what it's about. See our guide for a trailer, interviews and more: Guide
This new series from Psychoville's Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton was filmed last year, so not too long to wait for it now. It sounds brilliant, with the duo playing multiple characters again. Two episodes were recently screened to an audience at the BFI, and - encouragingly - feedback has been very positive: Guide
A very bold new BBC format from Little Britain star Matt Lucas, this will be his first solo-authored narrative series. Not much is known about Pompidou yet, although we are aware it will be an entirely visual comedy show - so, a bit like Mr Bean, there will be little or no dialogue in it! Frustratingly it's possible we might have to wait till the end of the year, or even 2015 for this one though. Guide
Getting On is brilliant, so it's exciting to see two of its stars, Vicki Pepperdine and Joanna Scanlan, teaming up to work on a new series for BBC Four. Puppy Love is set around a Wirral-based dog training school run by the formidable 'Nana V'. They're writing the scripts now and it'll be filmed in the summer. Guide
After a bit of a break, our favourite interviewing family are back with a new (albeit similar) format. The main change is they're now on Sky, but also, following a downturn in fortunes, we find them living in a flat in Hounslow, with Ashwin running a shop. This one starts soon - you can watch it from the 15th of January. Guide
A new sitcom written by Chris Addison and some of The Thick Of It team. Created for Sky Living, it stars Addison alongside EastEnders star Jo Joyner. They play a couple trying to put the fact that the woman has had an affair behind them... but that's not an easy task when you live in a small town. Guide
A new sitcom from the same team behind the award-winning Twenty Twelve. It will follow Hugh Bonneville's Ian Fletcher as he takes up his next big job - the Head of Values at the BBC. W1A (named after the HQ's postcode) observes as Ian soon finds himself in more muddles and, once again, ends up dealing with PR 'guru' Siobhan Sharpe (Jessica Hynes). Guide
Above are just ten of the scripted comedy shows that'll be on TV in 2014. There're likely to be numerous other treats yet to be announced, and we do already know of some other series and pilots. For the full list see our new TV comedy page
Of course, there are some returning treats to look forward to as well. Comedy shows coming back for another series in 2014 include Big School, Blandings, Count Arthur Strong, Derek, Friday Night Dinner, Man Down, Moone Boy, Not Going Out, Peep Show, Plebs, Red Dwarf, Rev, The Job Lot, The Mimic, The Trip, Toast Of London, Up The Women and Vicious. For a full run-down of everything that's been recommissioned see our returning shows list