Channel 4's 2024 Comedy Blaps revealed
- Peaked, a new Comedy Blaps pilot set in rural Derbyshire, is available to watch now via Channel 4
- Further Blaps are to follow: Stepping Up by Josh Pugh; Toads by Amy Gledhill; The Pharmacy by Ola Labib
- The short form Playgrounds strand will involve Ayoade Bamgboye, Johnny White, Stephen Buchanan, Josh Glanc and Dan Britt
Channel 4 has announced the newest additions to its roster of short-form Comedy Blaps strand, and revealed who will be taking part in Playgrounds, its "new stepping-stone for cutting-edge comedy talent".
The network explains: "Blaps have been a birthplace of comedic ingenuity and served as a launch pad for many beloved Channel 4 series including We Are Lady Parts, Stath Lets Flats, Home, Dead Pixels and Disability Benefits. Playgrounds are the latest addition, providing the perfect stomping ground for brand-new talent to experiment and stretch their comedic muscles within a shorter format, with an emphasis on creative freedom."
Peaked
This Comedy Blaps pilot is available to watch now.
Created by Ada Player and Bron Waugh, it stars Player and Ele McKenzie as two socially clumsy and eccentric bickering best friends. Set in rural Derbyshire, Peaked observes as Sara and Beth try too hard to get noticed in the small peak district town. When new boy George (Freddie Meredith) lands in town with his bongos, they compete for his attention.
Stepping Up
A pilot from Josh Pugh. He stars as an over-enthusiastic step-dad who brings well-intentioned chaos to his new (and previously harmonious) family unit. No-one needs him to but Josh is 'stepping up' anyway.
Toads
A 'who-wed-it' comedy from Amy Gledhill who plays Amber who experiences cold feet just before her wedding. After kissing numerous toads in search of her prince, a looming question emerges: has Amber made the right choice?
The Pharmacy
Created by Ola Labib, The Pharmacy delves behind the counter of a local pharmacy in Wigan as the oddball staff attempt to cure their community one patient at a time. This semi-autobiographical ensemble comedy, introduces us to a diverse group of misfits, tempted by the pills they serve customers whilst dealing with high rent, high stress and low pay.
Playgrounds pioneers
The following comedy creators will be working in the Playgrounds strand:
Peaked is available to watch now. The remaining collection of Blaps and Playgrounds will be released in due course.
Channel 4's Head of Comedy, Charlie Perkins, says: "Nothing comes from nothing. I really believe in the power of making short-form comedy, something will always come out of it for those both on and off screen. That could be a TV series, sure, but it could also be a million other brilliant things - from a new creative partnership that lasts a career, to an extra skill learned, to a piece of published work you are proud of that helps showcase what you do best. Channel 4 has always been world-class in nurturing and supporting emerging talent and with Blaps and Playgrounds I want us to keep this flame alive whilst adding in a new place for proper experimentation. We can't wait to show people what the very best up-and-coming comedy brains can do in this brilliant haul and beyond."