THE first of a series of comedy sketches have been uploaded on to the website of STV, with viewers invited to choose their favourites, the most popular of which will form two, half-hour TV specials to be screened by the Glasgow-based broadcaster over the New Year.
Every day, a new sketch will appear on www.stv.tv/comedy, with 50 sketches to be shown.
Earlier this year, the broadcaster launched a nationwide search for sketches, with the shortlisted 50 to be made by Glasgow-based independent TV production company, Incorporated Media.
The initiative is called Forward Slash Comedy.
The site is launched today with six sketches, with viewers given the opportunity to rate, comment and critique each one.
In a statement, Elizabeth Partyka, channel controller at STV, is quoted, as saying: “This is the first time that we have commissioned content specifically for online use, with a view to developing for on-screen transmission.
“We were inundated with quirky, innovative and hilarious sketches from over 200 talented writers across Scotland and the team at Forward Slash Comedy had a challenge to choose the shortlist. I’m confident that viewers will be delighted by the final sketches and appreciate the opportunity to put across their own opinions to help shape the final programme.”
Producer, Kim Kinnie, from Incorporated Media, is also quoted, saying: “I was thrilled with the amount of interest received from aspiring comedy writers. We received around 800 scripts, showing that Scotland boasts a wealth of undiscovered potential talent in this arena.
“I’m sure that viewers will not be disappointed by the final shortlist, which includes truly riotous moments and comical recurring characters, and I look forward to finding out which sketches make the programme.”
