BBC comedy boss says slapstick is back
- Published: 18 July 2008 11:58
- Author: Katherine Rushton
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- Last Updated: 21 July 2008 08:49
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Silly, slapstick comedy is set to make a comeback, the BBC's creative head of talent and head of comedy north Kenton Allen has claimed.
Speaking at the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, Allen predicted the global economic downturn will whet the public appetite for overstated comedy.
"Falling over is back. People have a huge desire to laugh out loud again – especially on the cusp of a recession. Big and loud and funny will be back," he said.
Although slapstick shows have been out of fashion for a while, he suggested that their popularity could be revived by a sketch troupe like We Are Klang, which is currently developing a TV show.
"It's very funny. It's very 'slap-in-the-face'. It can be cool," Allen said.
The BBC has made a return to studio sitcoms lately, with Lee Mack's Not Going Out, Chris Addison's Lab Rats and a live-version of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.
Allen is due to leave his role in September to become joint chief executive at Big Talk Productions, the indie behind Hot Fuzz and Sean of the Dead.
He described the job he leaves behind as "all about trying to pick the right talent and not fuck them up".
