Web comedy takes on BBC sitcoms

The online revival of Alan Partridge funded by Fosters lager has been nominated for a top comedy prize – ahead of more traditionally made sitcoms.

The Mid Morning Matters show has been shortlisted for the South Bank award for comedy alongside BBC sitcoms Getting On and Rev.

Fosters paid Steve Coogan and co-creator Armando Iannucci to revive Partridge for a series of a dozen 12-minute internet shows, which also feature Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Tim Key.

It is the first time that a series only available online has been nominated for a South Bank award, which were originally linked to ITV's axed arts programme The South Bank Show.

Lord Bragg, who will present the awards, said this year's shortlist ‘demonstrates the extraordinary wealth of achievement across the arts in the UK’.

The January 25 ceremony will air on Sky Arts.

Published: 1 Dec 2010