Virgin 1 Bolsters Envy Programming Strand

LONDON, November 30:
Virgin Media Television’s recently launched entertainment channel Virgin 1 has
announced two one-off commissions for its peak-time Envy strand: Boob Envy and Money Envy, airing this December.

Boob Envy, presented by Thaila Zucci (Star Stories, Balls
of Steel), uncovers some of the
issues surrounding the U.K.’s breast obsession. Boob Envy will follow four females—from a woman whose
lopsided chest has forced her into reclusion to a woman with oversized breasts
which are affecting her health—as the documentary examines the quest for
perfect breasts.

Focusing on another
national obsession, wealth, Money Envy will look at the desire to become rich, and delve into the question
of whether money really can buy happiness. Hosted by award-winning comedian
Stephen K Amos, the documentary will follow the likes of self-made
entrepreneurs, to “old” money, to instant- and wannabe-millionaires.

The hour-long
documentaries follow on the success of the channel’s Penis Envy factual offering. Both Boob Envy and Money Envy are made by Twofour Broadcast, with Stuart Murphy
and Emma Morgan serving as executive producers, and were commissioned by
Rebecca Johnson, the senior commissioning editor for Virgin 1. Boob Envy is produced by Sadia Butt, while Money Envy is produced by Phil Jones, both for TwoFour
Broadcast.

Virgin 1’s
director of programming, Celia Taylor, commented: “Both Boob Envy and Money Envy embody the very spirit of original programming
that we’re undertaking for Virgin 1. They’re noisy, funny, smart and
controversial with a real opportunity for shared viewing.”

—By
Kristin Brzoznowski