Thursday 15 July 2004

Five and Paramount Comedy have appointed Graham Smith to oversee a joint co-production initiative to create and develop new home-grown comedy series, it was announced today (THURS).

Smith comes from the New Comedy department at BBC Entertainment and was formerly Commissioning Editor Entertainment and Comedy at Channel 4.

In his role as Commissioning Editor, Comedy, the first position of its kind for Five, Smith will develop original, fresh comedy series, enabling both channels to create top quality British programming to be broadcast on both channels.

The appointment follows Five and Paramount's strategy of finding new, long-running scripted comedy formats for primetime. Smith's experience in new comedy development will allow him to identify and nurture new, successful formats which will then be funded by both channels.

Smith will report to Ben Frow, Five's Controller of Entertainment and Features, Five and Heather Jones, Director of Programming, Paramount Comedy.

Dan Chambers, Five's Director of Programmes, said: "Ever since I got this job I've been keen to increase the amount of comedy on the channel – it's a key way of making yourself truly distinctive from your rivals.

"I'm delighted we're doing this in partnership with Paramount Comedy, which has a great reputation for discovering and nurturing home-grown comedy talent, and in Graham we have found the perfect executive for the job."

Tony Orsten, MD Paramount Comedy, said: "Five and Paramount have collaborated in numerous comedy projects over the years. This initiative will cement our joint commitment to new comedy and also gets us Graham Smith as our comedy tsar, which is quite frankly, a bit of a coup."

Smith added: "Blimey! It's going to be like having two wives. Imagine that!"

At the BBC, Smith has been part of the team that developed and produced Little Britain. He is currently Executive Producer of the new Dom Joly series for BBC1, and BBC4's Mark Steel Lectures.

At Channel 4 he commissioned and managed Harry Hill, Spaced, Graham Norton, Comic Strip Presents, Jo Brand, Mark Thomas Comedy Product and TFI Friday.

Press contacts: Five: Paul Leather on 0207 550 5541 or paul.leather@five.tv Paramount Comedy: Imogen Lawrence on 0207 478 5345 or Imogen.Lawrence@paramountcomedy.com