Comic Strip goes mad once again in Channel 4's Christmas line-up

by Ben Bold, Brand Republic 17-Nov-05, 16:00

LONDON - The Comic Strip Presents is returning to the nation's TV screens 23 years after it first aired, as part of Channel 4's Christmas entertainment schedule.

The series' original writers, Peter Richardson and Pete Richens, are reuniting with Comic Strip regulars Rik Mayall and Nigel Planer in a one-off comedy about wife-swapping.

Other highlights for Channel 4's Christmas include 'Ricky Gervais Meets... Larry David', in which the writer and star of 'The Office' and 'Extras' meets his comedy hero and 'Seinfeld'-creator Larry David.

The broadcaster is likely to cause controversy with at least two of the programmes. It is letting "psychological illusionist" Derren Brown mess with the heads of a group of responsible businessmen and businesswomen. In 'Derren Brown - The Heist', he attempts to persuade them to commit an armed robbery.

The broadcaster is also airing a show called 'The Magic of Jesus', which will see conjuring duo Barry and Stuart take inspiration for magic tricks from Christ's miracles in The Bible.

Other fare includes 'The Unseen Spike Milligan', which explores the relationship between the comedian's creativity and his bi-polar disorder; 'Who Killed The British Sitcom', a two-hour look at what has endangered the TV genre; and 'Cold Turkey', in which celebrity smokers Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Sophie Anderton attempt to quit.

Channel 4 is also broadcasting a number of classic and comedy films over the period, including 'Cats & Dogs', 'The Nutty Professor', 'Bowfinger', 'Lawrence of Arabia', 'The African Queen' and 'Cleopatra'.

The network is also allowing culinary hero Jamie Oliver, who scored a huge success with 'Jamie's School Dinners' earlier this year, deliver the alternative Christmas message.

If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum.