Longtime writing partners Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran (Birds Of A Feather) are developing a new version of classic British comedy The New Statesman. The original starred the late Rik Mayall as pompous politician Alan B'Stard, and ran on ITV from 1987-1992. A satire of the Conservative government, the show won the Best Comedy Series BAFTA in 1991. Marks and Gran's LocomoTV is working with Richard Johns and Rupert Jermyn's Corona TV to develop The B'Stard Legacy which…...
- 3/29/2017
- Deadline TV
Longtime writing partners Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran (Birds Of A Feather) are developing a new version of classic British comedy The New Statesman. The original starred the late Rik Mayall as pompous politician Alan B'Stard, and ran on ITV from 1987-1992. A satire of the Conservative government, the show won the Best Comedy Series BAFTA in 1991. Marks and Gran's LocomoTV is working with Richard Johns and Rupert Jermyn's Corona TV to develop The B'Stard Legacy which…...
- 3/29/2017
- Deadline
Hollywood legends Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher shared an undeniable bond their whole lives. Subscribe now for an inside look at Hollywood’s legendary mother-daughter duo – only in People.
Bonded in life and death, Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds worked together many times over the decades, including on the 2001 TV movie These Old Broads. The film revolves around three feuding former Hollywood stars (Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine and Joan Collins) who share an agent (Elizabeth Taylor). These Old Broads was co-written by Fisher as a starring vehicle for her mother and good friends MacLaine and Taylor, but also as...
Bonded in life and death, Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds worked together many times over the decades, including on the 2001 TV movie These Old Broads. The film revolves around three feuding former Hollywood stars (Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine and Joan Collins) who share an agent (Elizabeth Taylor). These Old Broads was co-written by Fisher as a starring vehicle for her mother and good friends MacLaine and Taylor, but also as...
- 1/4/2017
- by Kara Warner
- PEOPLE.com
Remember Kinvig, Clone, Not With A Bang? These are the UK sci-fi sitcoms you’re unlikely to see on comedy best-of lists…
With E4 sci-fi comedy commissions, Tripped and Aliens, and in-development Channel 4 projects, Space Ark and Graham Linehan/Adam Buxton collaboration The Cloud, in the works, a new crop of sci-fi sitcom could be making its way to UK TV.
Making funny sci-fi on a small-screen budget is tough enough without the additional pressure of having to attract viewers more traditionally down-to-earth in their sitcom tastes. Sci-fi sets and effects can be seen as prohibitively expensive by comedy commissioners (which is perhaps why the best UK sci-fi sitcoms of recent years has been on BBC Radio), and the genre’s niche status doesn’t scream mainstream hit. Over the years, one or two stand-outs have managed to straddle the sci-fi and comedy TV worlds, but plenty more have stumbled in the attempt.
With E4 sci-fi comedy commissions, Tripped and Aliens, and in-development Channel 4 projects, Space Ark and Graham Linehan/Adam Buxton collaboration The Cloud, in the works, a new crop of sci-fi sitcom could be making its way to UK TV.
Making funny sci-fi on a small-screen budget is tough enough without the additional pressure of having to attract viewers more traditionally down-to-earth in their sitcom tastes. Sci-fi sets and effects can be seen as prohibitively expensive by comedy commissioners (which is perhaps why the best UK sci-fi sitcoms of recent years has been on BBC Radio), and the genre’s niche status doesn’t scream mainstream hit. Over the years, one or two stand-outs have managed to straddle the sci-fi and comedy TV worlds, but plenty more have stumbled in the attempt.
- 7/23/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Birds of a Feather has been renewed for a new series by ITV.
The long-running sitcom will begin shooting its 12th run later this year, after its most recent series concluded last month.
Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph will all return as Sharon Theodopolopodous, Tracey Stubbs and Dorien Green, respectively.
ITV's Comedy Commissioner Saskia Schuster said: "Birds of a Feather has a large and loyal audience and we're really pleased to be bringing it back, a new series starts shooting later this year."
Original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran said: "We're thrilled that a nation is still in love with Sharon, Tracey and Dorien and delighted that ITV loves them too and have asked us to write what will be the 12th series of Birds of a Feather. We can promise more feisty fun with the Essex girls."
ITV has yet to confirm when the series will return.
The long-running sitcom will begin shooting its 12th run later this year, after its most recent series concluded last month.
Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph will all return as Sharon Theodopolopodous, Tracey Stubbs and Dorien Green, respectively.
ITV's Comedy Commissioner Saskia Schuster said: "Birds of a Feather has a large and loyal audience and we're really pleased to be bringing it back, a new series starts shooting later this year."
Original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran said: "We're thrilled that a nation is still in love with Sharon, Tracey and Dorien and delighted that ITV loves them too and have asked us to write what will be the 12th series of Birds of a Feather. We can promise more feisty fun with the Essex girls."
ITV has yet to confirm when the series will return.
- 3/12/2015
- Digital Spy
The first picture of Birds of a Feather's Dorien Green with her long lost daughter has been revealed.
Actress Frances Ruffelle will be unveiled as Naomi, Dorien's (Lesley Joseph) estranged daughter, on tonight's (January 8) episode at 8.30pm on ITV.
Birds of a Feather recently returned for a new series on Boxing Day.
The latest episodes of the show mark the comedy's second run for ITV and the 11th overall, after it was recommissioned for a second series last March.
The channel previously revived the former BBC sitcom following a 15-year break, and it became ITV's most successful comedy launch in over a decade.
The eight-part run comes from original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran with Gary Lawson and John Phelp.
McBusted star Matt Willis recently exited his role as Garth Stubbs, and has been replaced by Samuel James.
Actress Frances Ruffelle will be unveiled as Naomi, Dorien's (Lesley Joseph) estranged daughter, on tonight's (January 8) episode at 8.30pm on ITV.
Birds of a Feather recently returned for a new series on Boxing Day.
The latest episodes of the show mark the comedy's second run for ITV and the 11th overall, after it was recommissioned for a second series last March.
The channel previously revived the former BBC sitcom following a 15-year break, and it became ITV's most successful comedy launch in over a decade.
The eight-part run comes from original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran with Gary Lawson and John Phelp.
McBusted star Matt Willis recently exited his role as Garth Stubbs, and has been replaced by Samuel James.
- 1/8/2015
- Digital Spy
ITV has offered a first look at the new series of Birds of a Feather in a trailer for the upcoming Christmas special.
Pauline Quirke, Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson all return for what will be the comedy's second run for ITV - and the 11th overall.
Returning on Boxing Day, the eight-part run will kick off with Dorien treating Sharon and Tracey to a Christmas trip to the Canaries. However, as teased by the trailer, things don't go quite to plan for the trio.
The series, which was revived following a 15-year break and became ITV's most successful comedy launch in over a decade, has been penned by original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, with Gary Lawson and John Phelp.
Speaking about the upcoming episodes, Gran said: "We're delighted Birds of a Feather was such a success on ITV, and really pleased to be asked to write another series.
Pauline Quirke, Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson all return for what will be the comedy's second run for ITV - and the 11th overall.
Returning on Boxing Day, the eight-part run will kick off with Dorien treating Sharon and Tracey to a Christmas trip to the Canaries. However, as teased by the trailer, things don't go quite to plan for the trio.
The series, which was revived following a 15-year break and became ITV's most successful comedy launch in over a decade, has been penned by original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, with Gary Lawson and John Phelp.
Speaking about the upcoming episodes, Gran said: "We're delighted Birds of a Feather was such a success on ITV, and really pleased to be asked to write another series.
- 12/12/2014
- Digital Spy
ITV has confirmed that Birds of a Feather will return on Boxing Day at 9pm.
The new series - starring Pauline Quirke, Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson - will be the comedy's second run for ITV and the 11th overall.
Confirmed: Birds of a Feather (series 2) starts Friday 26 December at 9pm on ITV. pic.twitter.com/1ece5oOT5o
— ITV Press Centre (@itvpresscentre) December 2, 2014
ITV recommissioned Birds of a Feather for a second series in March.
The channel previously revived the former BBC sitcom following a 15-year break, and it became ITV's most successful comedy launch in over a decade.
The eight-part run will once again be penned by original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran with Gary Lawson and John Phelp.
Gran said: "We're delighted Birds of a Feather was such a success on ITV and really pleased to be asked to write another series. We hope the further adventures of Sharon,...
The new series - starring Pauline Quirke, Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson - will be the comedy's second run for ITV and the 11th overall.
Confirmed: Birds of a Feather (series 2) starts Friday 26 December at 9pm on ITV. pic.twitter.com/1ece5oOT5o
— ITV Press Centre (@itvpresscentre) December 2, 2014
ITV recommissioned Birds of a Feather for a second series in March.
The channel previously revived the former BBC sitcom following a 15-year break, and it became ITV's most successful comedy launch in over a decade.
The eight-part run will once again be penned by original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran with Gary Lawson and John Phelp.
Gran said: "We're delighted Birds of a Feather was such a success on ITV and really pleased to be asked to write another series. We hope the further adventures of Sharon,...
- 12/2/2014
- Digital Spy
I feel sorry for you, you zeros, you nobodies. What's going to live on after you die? Nothing, that's what!
This house will become a shrine! And punks and skins and Rastas will all gather round and all hold their hands in sorrow for their fallen leader! And all the grown-ups will say, 'But why are the kids crying?' And the kids will say, 'Haven't you heard? Rick is dead! The People's Poet is dead!'
And then one particularly sensitive and articulate teenager will say, 'Why kids, do you understand nothing? How can Rick be dead when we still have his poems?'.
Rik Mayall as Rick in The Young Ones
Rik Mayall has died at the age of 56.
As tributes pour in from the world of entertainment, Digital Spy pays homage to Rik in a way we hope that a man with an autobiography called Bigger than...
This house will become a shrine! And punks and skins and Rastas will all gather round and all hold their hands in sorrow for their fallen leader! And all the grown-ups will say, 'But why are the kids crying?' And the kids will say, 'Haven't you heard? Rick is dead! The People's Poet is dead!'
And then one particularly sensitive and articulate teenager will say, 'Why kids, do you understand nothing? How can Rick be dead when we still have his poems?'.
Rik Mayall as Rick in The Young Ones
Rik Mayall has died at the age of 56.
As tributes pour in from the world of entertainment, Digital Spy pays homage to Rik in a way we hope that a man with an autobiography called Bigger than...
- 6/9/2014
- Digital Spy
ITV has recommissioned Birds of a Feather for a further series.
The channel revived the former BBC sitcom earlier this year following a 15-year break, and it has become ITV's most successful comedy launch in over a decade.
The new series - starring Pauline Quirke, Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson - will be the comedy's second run for ITV and the eleventh overall.
The eight-part run will once again be penned by original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran with Gary Lawson and John Phelps, and will begin filming later this year.
Gran said: "We're delighted Birds of a Feather was such a success on ITV and really pleased to be asked to write another series. We hope the further adventures of Sharon, Tracey and Dorien will continue to thrill audiences young and old."
ITV's Director of Comedy and Entertainment Elaine Bedell added: "We're very pleased that the brilliant chemistry...
The channel revived the former BBC sitcom earlier this year following a 15-year break, and it has become ITV's most successful comedy launch in over a decade.
The new series - starring Pauline Quirke, Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson - will be the comedy's second run for ITV and the eleventh overall.
The eight-part run will once again be penned by original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran with Gary Lawson and John Phelps, and will begin filming later this year.
Gran said: "We're delighted Birds of a Feather was such a success on ITV and really pleased to be asked to write another series. We hope the further adventures of Sharon, Tracey and Dorien will continue to thrill audiences young and old."
ITV's Director of Comedy and Entertainment Elaine Bedell added: "We're very pleased that the brilliant chemistry...
- 3/6/2014
- Digital Spy
Television and stage producer known for Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Birds of a Feather
The television producer Allan McKeown, who has died aged 67 of prostate cancer, created the groundbreaking Witzend Productions with the sitcom writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and had hits on both sides of the Atlantic. It was one of the earliest independent production companies outside the British broadcasting establishment to find success within it.
A prime example of Witzend's attempts to push the boundaries of the medium – and McKeown's credit as executive producer – was Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983-86). The series, about a group of itinerant British builders in Germany – developed by Clement and La Frenais from an idea by Franc Roddam – went beyond the sitcom format to become one of the first in the comedy-drama genre.
ITV at first had no plans to make a second series but backtracked when up to 13 million viewers tuned in.
The television producer Allan McKeown, who has died aged 67 of prostate cancer, created the groundbreaking Witzend Productions with the sitcom writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and had hits on both sides of the Atlantic. It was one of the earliest independent production companies outside the British broadcasting establishment to find success within it.
A prime example of Witzend's attempts to push the boundaries of the medium – and McKeown's credit as executive producer – was Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983-86). The series, about a group of itinerant British builders in Germany – developed by Clement and La Frenais from an idea by Franc Roddam – went beyond the sitcom format to become one of the first in the comedy-drama genre.
ITV at first had no plans to make a second series but backtracked when up to 13 million viewers tuned in.
- 1/2/2014
- by Anthony Hayward, Ian La Frenais
- The Guardian - Film News
Cilla Black and Paul O'Grady are to star in a sitcom together.
The pair will feature in Led Astray, which begins production this month.
The show has been written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, who created Birds of a Feather.
O'Grady will play Black's half-brother in the sitcom, with a half-hour pilot beginning production this month. If successful, the show will be aired on BBC One.
O'Grady was most recently seen playing a dying cancer patient in Holby City. He said of his role: "It was emotional filming Holby. And I did actually come home feeling sick as I would lie in bed all day with tubes on me, and then I would go into Holby the next day, and they would put even more tubes on me.
"They make you look ill, so after 14 hours of that every day, I came home and I really had to tell...
The pair will feature in Led Astray, which begins production this month.
The show has been written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, who created Birds of a Feather.
O'Grady will play Black's half-brother in the sitcom, with a half-hour pilot beginning production this month. If successful, the show will be aired on BBC One.
O'Grady was most recently seen playing a dying cancer patient in Holby City. He said of his role: "It was emotional filming Holby. And I did actually come home feeling sick as I would lie in bed all day with tubes on me, and then I would go into Holby the next day, and they would put even more tubes on me.
"They make you look ill, so after 14 hours of that every day, I came home and I really had to tell...
- 10/2/2013
- Digital Spy
Matt Willis has joined the cast of Birds of a Feather.
The former Busted musician will appear in ITV's upcoming revival of the classic sitcom, which will air in spring 2014.
Willis will play Garth 'Garthy' Stubbs - son of Tracey Stubbs (Linda Robson) - a character previously portrayed by Simon Nash and Matt Savage.
"I'm so excited to be joining Birds of a Feather playing the role of Garthy!" said Willis. "I used to watch the show growing up so this is just a dream job. I can't believe I'll be working with Sharon, Tracey and Dorian."
Charlie Quirke - the son of Robson's co-star Pauline Quirke - will play Tracey's younger son Travis, a role he originated in the recent Birds of a Feather stage show.
"For me, it's great to get this opportunity after playing Travis on the stage tour for the last two years, and it's great...
The former Busted musician will appear in ITV's upcoming revival of the classic sitcom, which will air in spring 2014.
Willis will play Garth 'Garthy' Stubbs - son of Tracey Stubbs (Linda Robson) - a character previously portrayed by Simon Nash and Matt Savage.
"I'm so excited to be joining Birds of a Feather playing the role of Garthy!" said Willis. "I used to watch the show growing up so this is just a dream job. I can't believe I'll be working with Sharon, Tracey and Dorian."
Charlie Quirke - the son of Robson's co-star Pauline Quirke - will play Tracey's younger son Travis, a role he originated in the recent Birds of a Feather stage show.
"For me, it's great to get this opportunity after playing Travis on the stage tour for the last two years, and it's great...
- 9/24/2013
- Digital Spy
Birds of a Feather will return for a new series on ITV, it has been confirmed.
The 1990's BBC sitcom is making a comeback after 15 years away, but will now be on a new channel.
Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph will apparently begin shooting eight new episodes in September.
Creators Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran are thought to have approached the BBC for a return, but only a Christmas special was on the cards.
Birds of a Feather ran for 102 episodes on the BBC, and followed two sisters Sharon (Quirke) and Tracey (Robson) who move in together after their husbands are jailed for armed robbery. Middle-aged next-door neighbour cougar Dorien (Joseph) soon befriends the pair.
The three actors toured a successful stage version of the TV show last year. Lesley Joseph said that they were in talks for a TV return back in July 2012.
Watch Birds of a Feather stars Pauline Quirke,...
The 1990's BBC sitcom is making a comeback after 15 years away, but will now be on a new channel.
Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph will apparently begin shooting eight new episodes in September.
Creators Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran are thought to have approached the BBC for a return, but only a Christmas special was on the cards.
Birds of a Feather ran for 102 episodes on the BBC, and followed two sisters Sharon (Quirke) and Tracey (Robson) who move in together after their husbands are jailed for armed robbery. Middle-aged next-door neighbour cougar Dorien (Joseph) soon befriends the pair.
The three actors toured a successful stage version of the TV show last year. Lesley Joseph said that they were in talks for a TV return back in July 2012.
Watch Birds of a Feather stars Pauline Quirke,...
- 6/18/2013
- Digital Spy
Paul Andrew Williams's new film Song for Marion finishes location shooting, Jeanette Winterson tweets the Bible and Andrew Lloyd Webber lets schools take on Cats and Phantom
Film boom up north
Location filming has just finished on a British movie that, on paper, has all the signs of success.
Song for Marion was written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams (who made London to Brighton) and has a cast that includes Vanessa Redgrave, Terence Stamp, Christopher Eccleston and Gemma Arterton. It's a very British story about an unconventional amateur choir, a kind of choral Brassed Off.
It was filmed in the north-east, not because it is set there, but because film-makers are waking up to the area's potential.
Producer Ken Marshall told the Diary: "There are so many advantages being here as opposed to London. It's easier logistically, and it's more film-friendly. It is unbelievable how much support we've...
Film boom up north
Location filming has just finished on a British movie that, on paper, has all the signs of success.
Song for Marion was written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams (who made London to Brighton) and has a cast that includes Vanessa Redgrave, Terence Stamp, Christopher Eccleston and Gemma Arterton. It's a very British story about an unconventional amateur choir, a kind of choral Brassed Off.
It was filmed in the north-east, not because it is set there, but because film-makers are waking up to the area's potential.
Producer Ken Marshall told the Diary: "There are so many advantages being here as opposed to London. It's easier logistically, and it's more film-friendly. It is unbelievable how much support we've...
- 9/13/2011
- by Mark Brown
- The Guardian - Film News
We've been hearing rumors this week that 90210 actor Trevor Donovan is in talks with producers to play Ken in a live-action Barbie movie. The project has been in development for quite a while. Mattel announced over two years ago on Barbie's fiftieth anniversary that they were teaming up with producer Laurence Marks (Dreamgirls, Julie & Julia) to make the film.
Donovan is the first actor we've heard mentioned as a possible casting choice, and he really makes perfect sense. With his blonde hair, blue eyes, hairless chiseled physique and golden tan, the former Abercrombie & Fitch model has frequently been described as a living Ken doll.
But if Donovan is indeed cast and the project moves forward, who would make a good Barbie? That might actually be a tougher role to fill. An actress capable of measuring up to Barbie's wasp waistline and gravity defying breasts would need to have a 32-17-28 physique!
Donovan is the first actor we've heard mentioned as a possible casting choice, and he really makes perfect sense. With his blonde hair, blue eyes, hairless chiseled physique and golden tan, the former Abercrombie & Fitch model has frequently been described as a living Ken doll.
But if Donovan is indeed cast and the project moves forward, who would make a good Barbie? That might actually be a tougher role to fill. An actress capable of measuring up to Barbie's wasp waistline and gravity defying breasts would need to have a 32-17-28 physique!
- 8/4/2011
- by Dennis Ayers
- The Backlot
Pauline Quirke has revealed that she would return to Birds of a Feather if she liked the storyline. Speaking to the Daily Record, the Emmerdale actress hinted that a revival of the '90s sitcom may happen if the cast is asked by creators Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks. She said: "If there was a good idea there, then yes I'd be up for it. But we're all getting on a bit now. It might need to be set in an old folks' home with zimmer frames. "The truth is, though, that we've not been asked yet. I read about supposed rumours every week but no-one has asked us. "We (more)...
- 8/11/2010
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
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