I hate BBC Three.
For me, it's only handy for the occasional repeat of Doctor Who. The rest of its line-up is excruciating pap, typified by crass sitcom Two Pints Of Lager & A Packet Of Crisps and unfunny sketch shows like Tittybangbang.
So... it fills me with great relief that the channel is getting a revamp very soon, courtesy of Danny Cohen -- who took over as the new controller last April, having been the head of factual entertainment for Channel 4 and E4. It's about bloomin' time!
The new stuff, with an overall emphasis on "multi-platform" and "interactive ideas", will include:
A Brand New Channel Logo
See above. Ooooh! And why not visit the preview website here?
6 Drama Pilots
Phoo Action (a futuristic kung fu cop show from the writer of Tank Girl, starring Jaime Winstone, daughter of Ray), Mrs In-betweeny (a sex-change comedy starring Amelia Bulmore), The Things I Haven't Told You (a thriller set in a school's sixth form, after a schoolgirl's disappearance), Being Human (house-share comedy with a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost), Dis/Connected (disparate teenagers are drawn together after a mutual friend commits suicide) and W10 LDN (following the lives of teenagers in a London estate). One of these pilots will go on to become a full series.
New Entertainment Series
The Wall (interactive comedy entertainment), Upstaged (a talent show presented by Scott Mills, which will "air" online for the first 5 weeks of its 8 week run) and Lily Allen & Friends (chat show with the popular singer and Myspace star).
60 Seconds Overhaul
The news bulletins will be jazzed up and include a nightly look at news coverage from around the world.
New Documentaries
Pramface Mansion (examines life as a single parent), Jack's Story (following the lives of young British soldiers in Afghanistan), Making The Clothes I Wear (six people get first-hand experience working in the clothing industry in developing countries), Find Me The Face (model scouts compete to find a star) and Filthy Gorgeous (the world's first "make-under" show to reveal natural beauty beneath make-up).
Old Favourites
Comedy Award-winning sitcom Gaving & Stacy, Sharon Horgan sitcom Pulling, popular adult animation Family Guy, and entertaining conman expose The Real Hustle.
Big US Premieres
Heroes' second season will premiere on BBC Three before its BBC2 airings, and college-set teen drama Greek makes its UK debut.
New Comedies
The Wrong Door (a sketch show that utilizes CGI), Coming Of Age (written by 19-year-old newcomer Tim Dawson), Trexx And Flipside (two wannabe rappers are signed to a record label that usually promotes crooners) and Scallywagga (a sketch show starring Coronation Street's Sally Lindsay.)
No More Blobs!
Yep, those talking orange blobs are being kicked out for being too "shouty" and annoying. I have to agree. They're cute and have a cult appeal, but they stopped being funny about 3 years ago. Does anybody actually listen to what they say nowadays?
Read more on the changes here, here and here. My thoughts? Well, I'm all in favour of a major shake-up of BBC Three, and some of the stuff here sounds very interesting.
It's certainly preferable to another year of Dog Borstal, Can Fat Teens Hunt? and Sex... With Mum And Dad. Isn't it? Of course it is!
I hope this new direction is a success and BBC Three becomes a channel I actually intend to watch, and not just stumble onto for late-night Family Guy.
