My ITV smash hit show got 6m viewers a week – but it would be cancelled after one series now, says TV legend
HARRY HILL says we are unlikely to see a show like his TV Burp ever again.
It ran on ITV for a decade until 2012 and regularly got more than six million viewers a week.
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Coomic Harry Hill says we are unlikely to see a show like his TV Burp ever againCredit: Handout
The comic reckons a lot of the Saturday night TV schedule is bland because the big channels do not want to take a chance on risky programmes that may not be instant hits.
Harry believes TV Burp — a satirical round-up of memorable moments from the previous week’s shows — would have got cancelled after just one series if it aired today.
Talking on the Beyond The Title podcast, he said: “I think they don’t like taking risks. It’s commercial TV, they’ve got to make money or they feel like they have to, so they don’t develop anything new or risky.
“Comedy is never right the first time. History is littered with it.
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“You identify a spark in it and think, ‘We will get it right’. It took us two or three series to get TV Burp right, no one was keeping an eye on us, so somehow we managed to get away with that.
“We could easily have been cancelled after the first series and we would be now.”
Harry also pointed out that comedy is cheaper to produce than other genres and there is a long line of comedians coming up through the ranks, who are not getting the same opportunities that he enjoyed.
He said: “TV Burp was a cheap show to make.
“It’s not just ITV, BBC One is the same. The danger is everything becomes a bit bland.
“If you look at the Saturday night schedules now it’s celebrity quiz show, celebrity quiz show, celebrity quiz show, really. There’s some really funny ones but you think, ‘Really?’”
Harry is now looking at alternatives to terrestrial television for his next comedy project and is developing new ideas to launch himself on YouTube.
He said: “The good thing is it’s never been easier to make TV. You can make stuff yourself and you can put it on YouTube. Often it’s not about production values, the make-up and lights, it’s actually about ideas.”
I couldn’t agree more, Mr Hill.
BACK FOR MORE DODGY DEALINGS
Dodger (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and Fagin (David Thewlis) with Tim Billiberllary (Luke Carroll)Credit: Disney+
Dodger, played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, is collaredCredit: Disney+
IT’S the most wonderful time of the year, when we normally see Thomas Brodie-Sangster on our screens in Love Actually.
But the actor has also just popped up on our radars once more as Disney+ unveils a first look at the new series of period drama Artful Dodger.
Jack, who was just 12 when he appeared in the seasonal movie favourite, is now 35 and has transformed into Charles Dickens’ wily Victorian pickpocket.
Series two, which arrives on February 10, sees the Artful Dodger facing the hangman’s noose after being pursued by Inspector Boxer.
But that doesn’t stop crime boss Fagin, played by David Thewlis, from dragging him into their most dangerous heist yet in the comedy adventure series.
FIGHTING TALK BY FURYS
Tommy Fury and his dad John are releasing a new podcastCredit: Alamy
LOVE Island boxer Tommy Fury and his dad John are bringing their heavyweight opinions to the BBC.
Ten-parter What the Fury?! is a visualised podcast described as a verbal battle of the generations.
The pair will discuss topics such as modern men, parenting, relationships and artificial intelligence.
Ex-fighter John, who is also the dad of former world boxing champion Tyson, will slug it out with Tommy in a clash of old school versus Gen Z new school.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC said: “Tommy and John Fury will pull no punches.”
The show, which was filmed at the Holmes Chapel Boxing Club in Cheshire, is coming soon.
GOOD Morning Britain newsreader Sally Biddulph has left after 17 years, amid ITV job cuts.
She said: “What a ride, what a privilege. Time for a new chapter and adventures yet unknown with a later morning alarm clock.” Presenter Charlotte Hawkins replied: “You’ll be much missed Sally.”
HUGH PAD IS DOWN THE ROAD
Hugh Bonneville has bought a new pad in WinchesterCredit: PA
DOWNTON Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville has bought a new pad – just down the road from the famous house.
The actor, who split from his wife Lulu Williams in 2023, has relocated to Winchester in Hampshire, close to Highclere Castle where the ITV period drama was filmed.
Hugh, who played the Earl of Grantham, told the Travel secrets podcast: “I love the South Downs, I love going there and recharging the batteries.
“I’ve actually recently bought a house near Winchester. There’s a great pub called The Pub With No Name.
“Jodie Kidd has a pub down there too but she’s further east. I love a quintessential English pub and I love that vibe that we do get right on a Sunday afternoon.”
HARLAN NERVES AGENT
Writer Harlan Coben’s latest series Run Away is out on Netflix in JanuaryCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
THRILLER writer Harlan Coben’s next TV series will be about his most popular character, Myron Bolitar.
Myron is a former basketball player turned talent agent and now features in 12 novels.
Harlan said: “We’re working on it. Myron is harder for me to let go of than the standalone.
“If you don’t like Michelle Keegan in Fool Me Once, It’s one book.
“If you don’t love Jimmy Nesbitt coming out in Run Away, it’s one book, one character. But Myron is my heart, and I’m very nervous about that series.”
Harlan’s latest series, Run Away, is out on Netflix on January 1 and also features Gavin & Stacey’s Ruth Jones.
The writer added: “It’s such a thrill to be working with Jimmy and Ruth. I can’t wait for people to see Ruth in this. It’s such a different role.”
GRAHAM NORTON will tomorrow be joined by Martin Freeman to chat about new Netflix series, Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials.
Erin Doherty is on to discuss A Thousand Blows, whilst Olivia Dean will perform So Easy.
The Graham Norton Show airs tomorrow on BBC One at 10:40pm.
