New comedy

Press, 26 July 1980, Page 13

New comedy

NZPA London Britain's most popular comedians are featured in the new (northern) autumn programme line-up announced by the Independent Television network. Many will eventually be screened in New Zealand.

Peter Cook, Harry Secombe, Benny Hill, and Frankie Howerd will all feature in special programmes.

Morecambe and Wise will return to the screen in their first series since Eric Morecambe suffered a serious heart attack last year. The pair, who until a year ago worked for the 8.8. C,, will make six programmes.

Esmonde Larbey, creator of the popular 8.8. C. series, “The Good Life,” is writing a new comedy series for 1.T.V., but details have not yet been disclosed. Like the 8.8. C., which announced its new line-up

last week, I.T.V. has an impressive drama programme planned.

New series include “Love in a Cold Climate,” an eight-part version of two Nancy Mitford novels, starring Judi Dench, and a nine-part dramatisation of J. B. Priestley’s novel “The Good Companions.” Granada Television, part of the I.T.V. network, will offer the first three plays from its deal with the National Theatre to film West End hits with the original cast as far as possible. They are Alan Ayckbourn’s “Bedroom Farce,” Somerset Maugham’s “For Services Rendered.” and Congreve’s “The Double Dealer.” . Among the documentaries will be “Cambodia Two,” a follow-up by John Pilger, to his award-win-ing film on the suffering in Cambodia. The film helped raise more than $2.4 million from British viewers towards a relief fund.