ITV looks for laughs

UK broadcaster ITV has reshuffled its entertainment commissioning team to increase its focus on building up scripted comedy and sitcom output.

Benidorm

Myfanwy Moore will join ITV this month as the new commissioning editor for comedy, the first person to hold that position in almost two years, with responsibility for developing narrative comedy and sitcoms.

Meanwhile, Claire Zolkwer’s role as commissioning editor for comedy and entertainment has been shifted to commissioning editor for comedy entertainment. She is currently developing a new slate of comedy entertainment programmes for ITV1 and ITV2, alongside shows including Keith Lemon’s Lemon Aid, Celebrity Juice and Jonathan Ross.

The move comes as ITV renews its focus on comedy on the back of its hit show Benidorm, which is now in its fifth season.

Elaine Bedell, director of entertainment and comedy at ITV, said the success of Benidorm “shows what great value comedy can have in the schedule when we get it right – and we’re determined to build our comedy output across both ITV 1 and ITV2.”

Moore, who takes up her new role later this month, was the first director of original programming at the Paramount Comedy Channel (now Comedy Central) and has also worked at the BBC as editor of new comedy.

Her credits include Little Britain, The Mitchell & Webb Situation and The Dave Gorman Collection for BBC2, and The Full Monty with Jack Dee for BBC1. Michaela Hennessy-Vass left her role as ITV’s commissioning editor for comedy in 2010.