Pilot on strength of online videos

Bizarre Irish musical act The Rubberbandits have landed a Channel 4 show on the back of their internet videos.

The hip-hop duo – who perform with plastic bags over their faces – made three short online Comedy Blaps for the channel, which attracted more than 1.4million views between them.

And now the broadcaster has ordered a full 30-minute pilot episode, for broadcast as part of the 4funnies strand – the successor to its Comedy Labs – later this year.

Executive producer Billy McGrath said: ‘We all share the strong belief that there is something unique and special going on with The Rubberbandits.’

Channel 4 comedy commissioning editor Fiona McDermott added: ‘We always hoped Comedy Blaps would be the perfect stepping stone for new talent.’

The broadcaster is now accepting submissions from independent production companies for the second round of Comedy Blaps, with a closing date of March 2.

Here is one of the Rubberbandits’ viral videos:

Published: 16 Feb 2012