Brand new series featuring Harry Enfield, Jack Dee, Sally Phillips, and Richard Hammond
A new series that puts a satirical and twisted grown-up spin on ?story time? has been commissioned by UKTV for its popular entertainment channel Dave, known for being the home of witty banter.
Every episode of Crackanory (6 x 40?), produced by Tiger Aspect Productions, will contain two tales, each punctuated with a mixture of narrated live action and animation. Penned by some of comedy?s most imaginative writers, the stories will be performed by celebrities who let their dark, comedic minds run wild and put their own enchanting spin on storytelling.
A number of the UK's most compelling personalities are taking part in Crackanory, including Harry Enfield, Jack Dee, Sally Phillips and Richard Hammond, with further talent to be confirmed.
The series, scheduled to air in Q4 2013, was commissioned by Commissioning Editor, Comedy, Sarah Fraser and ordered by General Manager, Dave, Steve North.
North commented
?The art of storytelling is far from dead; in fact Dave's bringing it back bigger and better. Crackanory gives it a brand new, contemporary twist, in what could be described as an ingenious adult adaptation of well-loved children?s programme Jackanory. Weird and wonderful tales delivered by the funniest people on television: Dave viewers are sure to find this a delicious combination?
Fraser said
?I was excited by this bold premise, blending live action and animation to tell these wonderful new stories. It is testament that the idea is a good one in that Tiger Aspect have secured such great names to appear in a first series. Commissioned exclusively for Dave, Crackanory is an exciting addition to our growing slate of original, unusual and talent-led content.?
The series is being produced by Tiger Aspect?s Arnold Widdowson and executive produced by Ben Cavey and Andy Brereton.
Brereton added
?We hope the Crackanory chair becomes as famous as the Mastermind one, as we welcome some of the best storytellers in the country to settle into it and tell viewers some incredibly funny, dark and unique tales.?
The stories featured are the work of comedy?s most creative minds, including those of Jeremy Dyson, Nico Tatarowicz, Holly Walsh, Jason Cook and Kevin Eldon.
Crackanory will air on Dave later this year alongside brand new commissions Ross Noble Freewheeling and Dave Gorman's Modern Life is Goodish. The channel continues to enjoy excellent growth year-on-year, with adult share up 19%. In addition, last month the channel achieved its best ever weekly adult share (1.4%).
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About Dave
Sky channel 111, Virgin TV channel 128, Freeview 12
Satirical and edgy, Dave is the home of witty banter. Featuring the best in contemporary entertainment including Suits, QI, Red Dwarf X, Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You. Dave also showcases popular original series, such as Dave's One Night Stand, Dara O?Briain?s School of Hard Sums, Alexander Armstrong?s Big Ask and Jo Brand's Big Splash, all laden with the biggest names in British comedy.
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About UKTV
UKTV is the multi-award winning media company that reaches over 42 million viewers per month.
UKTV's ten imaginative channel brands - Watch, Dave, Gold, Alibi, Eden, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home and Good Food - include the number one channel in the Factual genre, the number one channel in the Lifestyle genre (pay and free) and the most famous channel and programmes in the Entertainment genre.
UKTV has a truly innovative model, curating brand-defining commissions, high-profile acquisitions and the very best of BBC and Channel 4 content, and embracing technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, You View, TalkTalk on YouView, plus direct On Demand digital services. The network distributes its highly valued programmes to 200 territories around the world.
Now celebrating its 21st year at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the only British broadcaster to be recognised by Best Companies.