Commissioning opens for Blaps and digital shorts

Channel 4 has put out a call for new comedy ideas – with special emphasis on those that represent disabled people.

The broadcaster says finding voices from all across the UK is also a priority when it comes to its next round of Comedy Blap pilots  and short-form digital commissions.

Channel 4 is on the hunt for  at least four new Blaps this year to follow in the success of previous shows such as Stath Lets Flats, Chewing Gum, Game Face, Dead Pixels and the newly-axed Home.

The company says there is no set expectation of what they are looking for but would ‘especially welcome ideas that put disability representation at the fore and those that showcase characters and precincts from the nations and regions’.

‘Authorship is key to originality,’ their brief says, stressing the emphasis is on writer-performers or writer-directors with a clear vision.

Fiona McDermott, Channel 4’s head of comedy said: ‘After the year it’s been, it’s wonderful to say that we’re officially open and commissioning for Comedy Blaps 2021.

‘We’re so proud of the extraordinary and diverse talent these shorts have enabled us to back over the last ten years. We’re excited to see what this year brings.’

The deadline for submissions is July  31, and all the info is on the Channel 4 website.

Meanwhile, the channel is also on the lookout for ideas that will work on its social media platforms,  from one-off pilots up to six episode runs.

The channel says it is keen for projects ‘that build characters or worlds that could grow and develop with long-running potential, or independently watchable comedy entertainment formats that could be repeated in higher volume. That also means new talent and new ways of delivering comedy beyond just standard short comedy sketches’.

‘Ideas should feel important to a young audience, be it challenging perceptions, representing unheard voices, or covering diversity and inclusion, sustainability, or the state of the nation.

‘Other areas of interest include ideas that are experimental, or the next iteration of pranks, bitesize sitcoms, character formats, musical comedy or even comedians in unusual situations. 

Karl Warner, head of youth and digital at Channel 4 added: ‘Our short form comedy content has been a big hit on social and it’s brilliant seeing so many new up-and-coming writers and performers from across the country cutting through with young audiences.

‘With this new brief we really want to build on that success with original ideas that surprise, entertain and above all, make our audiences laugh and share."

The deadline for these ideas is June 4. More info

Published: 10 May 2021