´óÏó´«Ã½ THREE Autumn 2006
Introduction - Julian Bellamy unveils his first season launch as Controller, ´óÏó´«Ã½ THREE
This autumn on ´óÏó´«Ã½ THREE sees a season of bold, contemporary programmes with
Torchwood, the new drama from writer Russell T Davies, as its centrepiece.
Ìý
Starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles, Torchwood is a sci-fi crime thriller which
tells the story of a crack squad of secret agents, setting their own rules and
operating above the law to protect the public from both human and alien threats.
Ìý
Julian Bellamy, Controller, ´óÏó´«Ã½ THREE says: "Torchwood is just the kind of
cutting edge, ambitious drama of real scale that we're seeking on ´óÏó´«Ã½ THREE and
I'm delighted to be unveiling it at my first ´óÏó´«Ã½ THREE launch as Controller.
Ìý
"Whether it's comedy, drama, factual, entertainment or current affairs, ´óÏó´«Ã½
THREE's values should always shine through – maverick, innovative and witty, with
entertainment at the core.
Ìý
"In this autumn's offering I think we've got that."
Ìý
Continuing with drama, Max Beesley returns in a feature length finale of the
critically-acclaimed and gripping Bodies.
Ìý
Comedy still very much remains at the heart of ´óÏó´«Ã½ THREE, and this season sees
the arrival of four brand-new series.
Ìý
Pulling, created by Sharon Horgan, Dennis
Kelly and Harry Thompson, focuses around Donna, who dumps her boring boyfriend
Karl just days before her wedding - which is great for her, but not so great for
him.
Ìý
Little Miss Jocelyn is a loud, wacky sketch show written by and starring
Jocelyn Jee Esien of Three Non-Blondes.
Ìý
I'm with Stupid, a series which explores
disability in a funny and truthful way, wheels its way onto the channel, starring
Mark Benton and Paul Henshall.
Ìý
And Live! Girls! Present Dogtown (working title), centres around the weird and
wonderful fictional coastal town of Horton-Le-Hole.
Ìý
The series stars Geraldine
McNulty and James Gaddas and features cameo appearances from Imelda Staunton and
Kevin Whateley.
Ìý
Autumn also sees the return of the outrageous Tittybangbang, starring Lucy
Montgomery and Debbie Chazen in a manic collection of female comedy characters.
Ìý
Behind Closed Doors is a season of pre-watershed comedy pilots including Bash,
starring Susan Earl with a guest appearance from Kevin McNally; Lab Rats co-written by and starring Chris Addison and produced by Armando Iannucci and Simon
Nicholls, and And Martin… written by Mark Watson.
Ìý
Julian Bellamy says: "Comedy still very much remains at the heart of ´óÏó´«Ã½ THREE
and I think this line-up says it all.
Ìý
"At ´óÏó´«Ã½ THREE we're also determined to
discover new British talent and take risks, and the Behind Closed Doors season
proves our on-going commitment to fulfilling this objective."
Ìý
Factual programming gets seriously entertaining with a raft of new shows on Three
this autumn.
Ìý
One big theme is the nation's enduring obsession with our bodies and
how we look.
Ìý
Programmes range from a current affairs season on body image
to a new thought-provoking, factual entertainment series Say No to the Knife. This provocative series asks if cosmetic surgery really is the answer.
Ìý
Moving and thought-provoking, the Body Image Season features four documentaries:
34-Stone Teenager, Flat as a Pancake, Too Ugly for Love and F**k Off I'm Fat.
Ìý
Eataholics (working title) looks at the extreme eating habits of six individuals whose lives
have been taken over by their bizarre psychological eating disorders.
Ìý
The
Indestructibles are an intrepid team of human guinea pigs exploring the limits of
the human body.
Ìý
Sixteen (working title) is a five-part series that follows the rites of
passage of teenagers in a tough North London school.
Ìý
Once you've seen Grime Scene Investigation, flushing the toilet, brushing your
teeth and combing your hair will never be the same again.
Ìý
Using the world's most
advanced scientific imaging technology, this series brings us face to face with
the millions of little critters living with us, on us and in us.
Ìý
Man's First Diet is a radical TV experiment in which eight obese Brits are sent to
the Kalahari desert where they either adopt the hunter-gatherer lifestyle or
starve.
Ìý
Binge Britain Season is a week-long series of programmes which delve into the
dark side of Britain's binge-drinking culture.
Ìý
Returning series include Dog Borstal, the show that proves you can teach an old
dog new tricks.
Ìý
And The Real Hustle sees the return of hustlers Jess, Paul and
Alex in their quest to keep viewers up to date with all the latest scams.
Ìý
Anthea Turner returns to the channel as the Perfect Housewife, attempting to re-
educate the nation's self-confessed incompetent housewives.
Ìý
Julian Bellamy: "I'm hugely excited about the range and quality of our factual
and current affairs programming on Three for the autumn.
Ìý
"This fantastic line-up
of new, wide-ranging documentaries proves our commitment to making programmes
that touch people's lives."
Ìý
Entertainment is a key priority for the channel, and this season kicks that off
with a two-week reality event in aid of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Children in Need.
Ìý
Under the
tutelage of a top-name hairdresser, a group of celebrities will spend the two
weeks prior to the big night in November training in all aspects of hair, beauty,
make-up and fashion.
Ìý
On the night, they will be let loose on the stars
taking part in Children in Need. Who knows what the results will be?
Ìý
In Jonathan Ross's Japanorama, Jonathan continues his pursuit of all things
Nipponese.
Ìý
And following previous successes, more large-scale music
events are planned on the channel this autumn, from the MOBOs – live for the very
first time - to the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s own Electric Proms.
Ìý
"Entertainment is a key priority for us and our offering this autumn proves it
remains high on our agenda," says Julian Bellamy.
Ìý
"From the brilliant Jonathan Ross to a brand new
reality series, from the MOBOs to the Electric Proms, entertainment is alive and
kicking on ´óÏó´«Ã½ THREE."