// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs The Comedy Unit laughing? Unit to be funny.
 | |
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Colin Gilbert |
| Headquarters | , |
| Owner |
|
| Parent | Banijay UK (2020–present) |
| Website | www |
The Comedy Unit Ltd., also known sometimes as just Comedy Unit, is a Scottish company that produces sitcoms, comedy sketches, live shows and other comedy productions. It began life as an in-house BBC department in 1983 under the auspices of Producer Colin Gilbert and became an independent production company in 1996 when Gilbert and business manager April Chamberlain left the BBC.[1] By 2001 they had an annual turnover of £2 million a core staff of 12 employees.[2] They have produced radio and television shows that were aired on BBC Scotland and BBC Radio Scotland.[3]
It was bought by London-based RDF Media Group in 2006[4] which in turn was acquired by Paris-based Zodiak Entertainment Group in 2010. The creators of Still Game, Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, terminated their connections with the expanded group although the show itself continued as a co-production. Zodiak was in turn acquired by the Banijay Group in 2016.
Productions
[edit]- Laugh??? I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee (1984)
- City Lights (1984–1991)
- Naked Video (1986–1991)
- Rab C. Nesbitt (1988–1999, 2008–2014)
- Only an Excuse? (1993–2020)
- The Baldy Man (1995–1997)
- Atletico Partick (1996)
- Chewin' the Fat (1998–2002)
- Caledonian Macbrains (2001)
- Still Game (2002–2019)
- The Karen Dunbar Show (2003–2006)
- Offside (2004–2007)
- Legit (2006–2008)
- Having it All (2007)
- Fags, Mags and Bags (2007–2016)
- Empty (2008)
- Gary: Tank Commander (2009–2012)
- Limmy's Show (2009–2013)
- Frankie Boyle's Tramadol Nights (2010)
- Mordrin McDonald: 21st Century Wizard (2010–2012)
- Burnistoun (2009–2019)
- Badults (2013–2014)
- Scot Squad (2014–2023)
- Soft Border Patrol (2018–2020)
- Tourist Trap (2018–2019)
References
[edit]- ↑ "BBC comedy duo to go independent". The Herald. 2 November 1995. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ↑ Ogilvy, Graham (19 August 2001). "Comedy Unit laughing all the way to the bank". Scotland on Sunday. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ↑ Dixon, Guy (31 August 2013). "Television and radio firm wins £4.5m orders". Scotland on Sunday. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ↑ "GBP10m offer for firm behind the cream of Scots comedy Broadcasters back London group's move". The Herald. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 7 January 2017.