FRANKIE Boyle will take a look at the monarchy in a new roster of programmes announced by Channel 4.
In a 75-minute programme called Frankie Boyle: Monarchy, the Scottish comedian will “turn his wry eye to the state of the British monarchy and its future, by looking back at its 1000-year history”.
A satirical musical about the Duke of York and a revival of comedy TV show Friday Night Live are also on the list. The programmes form part of the Truth and Dare season as the broadcaster celebrates 40 years since it was created in 1982 by the Tory government of Margaret Thatcher.
The line-up also includes “an arts event like no other that will include stunts, surprises and special guests”, hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr, the broadcaster said. The shows “are set to do what Channel 4 was created for: to give voice to the unheard, say the unsayable and show the unseen”, it added.
Comedian Kieran Hodgson is to lead a cast of comics in Prince Andrew: The Musical, a 60-minute programme described as a “satirical send-up of the life and times” of the duke set to a musical score.
The Hat Trick Productions show will also include a “reimagining” of the duke’s 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis.
The Return Of Friday Night Live resurrects the popular comedy show which is credited with launching the careers of its host Ben Elton, Harry Enfield, Julian Clary, Jo Brand and many more.
Originally broadcast as Saturday Live, the comedy and music show ran from 1985 to 1988, changing its name to Friday Night Live when it was moved to air on a Friday instead of a Saturday.
The Channel 4 revival will see Elton return as host for a 90-minute programme to “unite the hottest new wave stand-ups and character comedians alongside some original show legends in a dangerously live night of comedy”.
Art Trouble, the working title of the programme presented by Carr, is billed as “an arts event like no other”.
Ian Katz, Channel 4’s chief content officer, said: “From musical satire about Prince Andrew to an exploration of cancel culture in art via men with very large penises, this season shows that Channel 4 is still as mischievous, disruptive and distinctive as when it was born 40 years ago.
