UKTV has commissioned a new Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders special for Gold, French and Saunders: Funny Women (1×120’).
Produced by Double Yellow Television and filmed on the set of their classic sketch show, the duo will discover and discuss all of the unforgettable female contributions to the pantheon of comic history across the globe. From the very first trailblazers, to the acts who inspired a young French and Saunders, all the way up to today’s generation of stars.
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders said: “Are women funny…? This is the thorny age-old question we have been chewing over since both of us were two years old and to date we still have no definitive answer. So in this programme we explore fifty thousand or so irrefutable examples to see if we can draw any blatantly predetermined conclusions…”
French and Saunders: Funny Women is commissioned for UKTV by Helen Nightingale, senior commissioning editor, and ordered by Gerald Casey, Gold channel director. Richard Watsham is director of commissioning and Steve North is genre general manager for comedy and entertainment. Executive producer for Double Yellow Television is Glen Middleham and the special is directed by BAFTA-winning comedy director Barbara Wiltshire.
Helen Nightingale said: “I’ve always been a huge fan of French and Saunders, and to be able to bring them back together on Gold to celebrate the funny women who inspire them is a dream come true.”
Gerald Casey said: “Gold viewers are absolutely passionate about comedy, so a show like this needs to have the right credentials. And who else on the planet is better placed to make it than two of our all-time comedy greats?”
Glen Middleham, Double Yellow Television, said: “It’s a total joy to listen to Dawn and Jennifer discuss their craft and also that of the very many funny women who’ve influenced them. It’s an honour to make what will be a very exciting, engaging and laugh-out-loud programme with two comedy icons.”
Jon Creamer
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