BBCThe BBC Trust has confirmed today that BBC3 will be closed by February 2016, despite huge opposition. Where will we watch old Family Guy episodes now?!
The channel, which has been running for 12 years, was home to a fair few popular shows in it’s time including; Little Britain, Bad Education, and Don’t Tell the Bride. It’ll now become an online-only service in March 2016.
Little Britain
Little Britain was BBC 3’s first big hit and was hugely popular. The sketch show featured a bunch of bizarre and gross characters and was supposed to be a parody guide of what life was like here in Britain. Unfortunately it also spawned some of the most annoying catchphrases ever and for a time you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing “Yeah, I know.” Or I’m a Layyydeeee.” It became something of a phenomenon in the UK spawning a stage show, a video game and spawned a shit ton of merchandise. Eventually the show was promoted to BBC 1 but we’ll never forget when Little Britain lived on a littler channel.
Being Human
Being Human - BBCOn paper the idea of a vampire, a ghost and a werewolf living in a house share in Bristol sounds a bit shit, but it was surprisingly good. Being Human ran for 5 years and was received pretty well by critics considering its topic. The show was originally a comedy but over time it morphed into a surprisingly violent and dark drama, looking at the relationship between three fundamentally damaged people dealing with their own problems. The show went on to have a massive following and has a popular remake in the US.
Gavin and Stacey
Oh! We couldn’t forget Gavin and Stacey the sitcom that launched James Corden to stardom and taught everyone what the welsh word for hill is. Gavin & Stacey followed Gavin from Essex, and Stacey from Barry in Wales as they tried to make their long distance relationship work while also trying to deal with their clashing family and friends. The show was a smash hit and was described as “BBC 3’s biggest breakout comedy hit since Little Britain.” Gavin and Stacey was so popular that the Americans even tried to make their own version, but it was so shit that they never even bothered showing an episode.
The Mighty Boosh
Mighty Boosh BBCBBC 3 was never afraid to take a risk and you couldn’t get riskier than The Mighty Boosh, a bizarre musical comedy set in a junk shop. Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt wrote and starred in the series which was described as a sketch show set in a consistent world. The programme was weird, really weird but also fucking hilarious and introduced some of the funniest TV characters ever, including Old Gregg, The Hitcher and Tony Harrison. The programme went on to become a popular stage show and was adored by its cult following.
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps - BBCLike it or loath it Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps was a BBC 3 staple, if you were up at three in the morning most likely you were watching this. Set in Runcorn the series revolved around the lives of five 20 somethings as they went about their lives. Despite never having met anyone who’d admit to liking it, the show ran for nine series and even began to move out of comedy and into drama as it went on.
But it’s not all bad news for the beeb, closing the channel will save £30 million a year, most of which will go into making BBC 1 dramas. So expect Doctor Who baddies to look a little less shitty next year.
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.