...with interactive gimmicks

BBC Three has ordered a live weekly comedy show featuring new talent, music and celebrity guests.

The show, provisionally titled The Wall, evokes the spirit of Friday Night Live, which made stars of a generation of comics, including Harry Enfield and Ben Elton.

But the new show will feature a strong interactive element, allowing viewers to rate new performers, make suggestions and send in questions for guests while the show is on air.

There will also be an associated website for user-generated content, allowing viewers to submit jokes, upload their own sketches, rate each other's contributions.

The centrepiece of the show will be a vast video wall, hosting all these elements.

BBC Three controller Danny Cohen said: ‘The Wall is a dedicated showcase for the next generation of British comedy and entertainment talent.

‘It feels like this kind of show has been missing in recent years from the British telly landscape – and with an ever greater focus on new talent and innovation, it's the right kind of entertainment show for BBC Three.’

The show will be made by Zeppotron, the subsidiary of Big Brother creators Endemol which already makes 8 Out Of 10 Cats for Channel 4.

Executive producer Neil Webster said: ‘We're very excited to have been chosen to produce the show. It's the kind of TV you dream about being asked to make.

‘Producing a weekly live comedy show is a unique platform for breaking new talent and we're looking forward to nurturing the comic stars of the future, from both a performing and production perspective.

‘It's an ambitious and demanding show to make, but we relish the challenge.’

Published: 25 Oct 2007