British Comedy: The Prince Harry of TV, Says BBC Comedy Chief Jon Petrie
Jon Petrie, the head of comedy at the BBC, referred to comedy as the “Prince Harry of the TV Royal Family,” highlighting the challenges it faces amidst the popularity and substantial budgets of high-end dramas. He expressed concerns that comedy must work harder than necessary to gain recognition, status, and, at times, survival.
Petrie made these remarks during the opening of the annual BBC Comedy Festival in Liverpool, describing comedy as the “rebel sibling” in contrast to drama. He humorously noted, “The Prince Harry of the TV Royal Family if you will,” and added, “I won’t say who’s Andrew [Mountbatten-Windsor].”
To emphasize the need for continued support of comedy, Petrie stated his intention to “camp outside” the office of new BBC Director General Matt Brittin, who starts next week.
While acknowledging that scripted comedy is currently facing challenges, Petrie noted that producers continue to deliver successful shows, including Amandaland, which has been renewed for a third season, and Mackenzie Crook’s Small Prophets, which recently achieved the BBC’s largest scripted launch of the year.
He also recognized rival programs such as Sky’s Saturday Night Live UK and Prime Video’s Last One Laughing, citing them as evidence of the robust state of British comedy.
Petrie asserted that what distinguishes the BBC as a comedy producer is its commitment to backing comedy not for profit, but for entertainment. “Because the BBC does not back comedy to make money. We back it for laughs,” he explained. “And if we weren’t here to support comedy properly, the simple truth is there would be a lot less of it.”
Among speakers at the BBC Comedy Festival are notable figures such as James Corden, Ruth Jones, and Diane Morgan. The BBC has recently renewed six shows, including Daisy May Cooper’s Am I Being Unreasonable?, Black Ops, and Such Brave Girls.
