BBC Two Adds Comedy Show to Olympics Coverage

LONDON: British network BBC Two has commissioned a new half-hour sports comedy entertainment show set to coincide with this year’s Winter Olympics.

Alan Davies Après-Ski, a 3×30-minute program filmed in front of a studio audience, is slated to air at the beginning, middle and end of the Sochi games. The first episode is scheduled for the opening ceremony on February 7.

The show was commissioned by Janice Hadlow, the controller of BBC Two; Mark Linsey, the controller of entertainment commissioning; and Alan Tyler, the BBC commissioning editor.

The series is produced by Mark Barrett, with Graham Stuart executive producing for So Television and Tyler for the BBC.

Actor and comedian Alan Davies will host the show, joined by guests from the sports and comedy worlds as they take a humorous approach to Olympics coverage.

“Alan is one of the best comic performers in the U.K. and a huge sports fan. We are delighted he is fronting what will be a fun take on a huge sporting event,” Tyler said.