The Strategic Humour Initiative
The Strategic Humour Initiative was a half-hour topical comedy and variety special hosted by David Frost, which was a joint production between the UK, the US, and Canada. The show aired on 14 October 2003 in the United States,[1] and on 15 October 2003 in the UK[2] and Canada.[3] Frost appeared in London, along with co-hosts Jimmy Tingle in Boston and Mary Walsh in Toronto.[4]
Other contributors included Jimmy Carr, Rory Bremner, and Carla Collins. Olivia Colman[5] also featured, performing 'The Cat In The Hat In Iraq', a parody of Dr. Seuss written by Steve Punt.[6] The show was recorded on location in London by Pozzitive Television, then adapted for broadcasting by WGBH Boston in the US and CBC in Canada.
Frost hoped that the special would be a pilot for an ongoing television series,[4] but the show was not picked up for further episodes.
Reception[edit]
On 16 October, The Daily Telegraph wrote that the special "sank almost without trace yesterday, bursting a bubble of pre-broadcast excitement in the US media."[2]
References[edit]
- ^ Moore, Frazier (October 14, 2003). "Frost back with political satire: Brit comic hosts PBS' "Strategic Humor Initiative"". Associated Press. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- ^ a b Rennie, David (October 16, 2003). "Chilly reception for Frost's TV humour". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- ^ Gee, Dana (October 15, 2003). "Prime Time Picks". The Vancouver Province. p. C6. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- ^ a b Moore, Frazier (October 12, 2003). "Frost takes political satire to global level: Strategic Humour Initiative will try to show mockery knows no borders". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- ^ "Filmography – Olivia Colman Online".
- ^ "Pozzitive: The Strategic Humour Initiative".