New BBC One sitcom pilot from John Finnemore

Tuesday 9th August 2011, 5:20pm

Cabin Pressure. John Finnemore. Copyright: Pozzitive Productions

The BBC has ordered a sitcom pilot about an elderly gay couple from the writer of Radio 4's Cabin Pressure.

John Finnemore has penned the new comedy for BBC One. His other writing credits include The Now Show to 10 O'Clock Live and That Mitchell And Webb Look.

Speaking to British Comedy Guide, Finnemore described George And Bernard Shaw as "a sitcom about two men at the stage of life where 'middle-aged' is increasingly a compliment; who are lovers, best friends, and arch-enemies".

The pilot, from production company Feelgood Fiction, is not intended for broadcast but is being talked about as a potential mainstream replacement for sitcoms such as My Family, should a series be commissioned.

Set to star veteran comedy actors Richard Griffiths and Robert Lindsay in the title roles, Richard Wilson had been involved in development of the show prior to The Old Guys' debut in 2009.

John Finnemore also has a new sketch show set to begin on Radio 4 in the coming months. John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme will be recorded later this month, described as "the funniest sketches I have been able to think of one after another for half an hour".

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