Paul Whitelaw
- Features
Turning real life into drama
Little Boy Blue writer Jeff Pope talks about his ‘iceberg theory’ - and why it’s important to pick a subject that will resonate with the public long after the press has moved on
- Features
Plugging the financing gap
With many different ways to fund drama, how do you decide which is best?
- Features
Has comedy been Trumped?
Is the president beyond parody? Or do seismic political shifts offer rich pickings for satirists?
- Features
Sitcom revivals: bringing back the classics
Is the apparent appetite for reviving sitcoms a sign of a dearth of new ideas or risks – or a legitimate way to celebrate our comedy heritage? Paul Whitelaw investigates
- Features
Drama: hits and misses
Will the low ratings of BBC1’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell force a retreat into safer territory? Paul Whitelaw examines why acclaimed dramas don’t always connect with viewers
- Behind The Scenes
Horrible Histories: Revamping a classic
The past’s comic potential remains undimmed - it just needed a new twist, as Paul Whitelaw discovers
- Features
Is the sketch show under viral attack?
With the power to send a single sketch viral overnight, the net is reshaping comedy formats
- Behind The Scenes
Nurse, BBC2
A four-part comedy drama for BBC2 based on a low-key Radio 4 series, Nurse is a character sketch show by proxy.
- Behind The Scenes
The Javone Prince Show, BBC2
Previously best known for his role in cult E4 sitcom PhoneShop, Javone Prince may well be the BBC’s latest breakout comedy star.
- The Broadcast Interview
Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, Catastrophe
The writers and stars of Channel 4’s sitcom Catastrophe talk to Paul Whitelaw about their transatlantic partnership
- Features
Crims, BBC3
The team behind BBC3’s new sitcom set in a young offenders institution talk to Paul Whitelaw about spotting fresh talent and creating comedy gold
- The Broadcast Interview
Armando Iannucci: ‘It’s amusing to annoy people’
On a roll with Veep and eyeing The Thick Of It’s endgame, Armando Iannucci tells Paul Whitelaw about HBO creative freedom, why the BBC needs Sky competition – and that OBE
- Behind The Scenes
White Heat, BBC2
In bringing to life Paula Milne’s vision of a female-centred trawl through half a century of social change, the crew had to juggle six timeframes at once. Paul Whitelaw reports.
- Behind The Scenes
10 O'Clock Live, Channel 4
C4 and Zeppotron faced a steep learning curve last year with their risky live topical comedy. Execs open up to Paul Whitelaw about its flaws - and their hopes for a more ‘fluid’ series two.
- Behind The Scenes
Shaun Ryder on UFOs, History
Having won a legion of new fans on I’m A Celebrity, the Happy Mondays frontman is off to explore his passion for all things UFO. Is he twisting our melons? Paul Whitelaw finds out.
- The Broadcast Interview
Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain
Peep Show creators Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain are navigating the tricky waters of comedy-drama on new series Fresh Meat - and this time they’re sharing the load.
- The Broadcast Interview
Stewart Lee: No more sugaring the pill
With his BBC2 series Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle winning a surprise recommission, the comedian talks to Paul Whitelaw about TV’s stand-up boom and the art of compromising
- News
Fast Show duo tackle Alzheimer’s for R4
Comic writer/performers Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson are to tackle the challenging subject of Alzheimer’s for a Radio 4 series.