Support for new comedy talent and ideas

19 July 2018

Support for new comedy talent and ideas = more laughs for audiences

NZ On Air is pleased to be supporting newer and experienced comedy talent to tickle the nation’s funny bone.

The latest funding round includes two new and two returning comedy projects for linear and on demand audiences.

Three continues to provide opportunities for new comedy talent with Comedy Pilot Weekwhich will produce five sitcom pilots from a diverse range of creatives. The pilots, currently in development, will screen in prime time, bringing totally fresh ideas into our living rooms, with audience response keenly awaited.

Meanwhile Three’s comedy panel show 7 Days will be back again in 2019 for its 11th year of entertaining Friday night audiences. Apart from continuing to delight audiences, the series is a talent generator, having given a number of comedy writers and performers the opportunity to hone their craft and develop successful careers.

Educators is a brand new improvised sitcom starring a dysfunctional bunch of staff at a Kiwi secondary school. A stellar line up of writers will let a talented cast loose to create dialogue around a general story outline that promises plenty of laughs and wry observations. It will be available at TVNZ OnDemand.

Also for online audiences, the dramatic comedy hit Baby Mamas Club has been supported for a second series. The first season of Baby Mamas Club was hugely successful with close to half a million views. The second series is a prequel with a comic undercover search for Johnny’s three baby mamas.

“Our role as a public media funder is not only to ensure audiences have a range of engaging content to enjoy wherever and whenever suits them, but also to provide pathways for talent to emerge. It’s very pleasing to see new comedy writers coming through our funding system, and seeing them nurtured and inspired by established talents,” said NZ On Air CEO Jane Wrightson.

Funding decisions

7 Days, 40 x 24 mins, MediaWorks TV for Three, up to $1,056,000
Educators, 8 x 15 mins, South Pacific Pictures for TVNZ OnDemand, up to $498,501
Baby Mamas Club 2: The Prequel, 6 x 15 mins, Culture Factory for TVNZ OnDemand, up to $342,972
Comedy Pilot Week, 5 x 22 mins, MediaWorks TV for Three, up to $325,000

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