News: Gavin Webster calls on comedy fans to review sitcom pilot

Gavin Webster calls on comedy fans to review sitcom pilot

Ever wonder how your favourite sitcom came to be? Well, Geordie comedian Gavin Webster is letting comedy fans in on the development of his new sitcom by sharing the pilot with the wider public and inviting reviews.

'I've Got a Job For You, Gav', which has been written by Gavin and stars an array of familiar faces from the North East comedy and theatre scene, has recently been released online for the wider public following screenings as part of the North East's Jesterval comedy festival and at The Stand Comedy Club.

In a brave move (and one that unashamedly hopes to raise the viewing figures!) Gavin is asking comedy fans for their views on the pilot to support the further development of the show.

The sitcom, which sees Gavin take on the role of salt of the earth taxi driver, Gav (surprisingly), has been in the making since March 2016, and was filmed in and around Tyne and Wear.

Gavin said: "Pilots are the first foray into bringing an idea to life and, much like in theatre, it opens up new ideas and ways of doing things. It's a bit of an experiment and gives a writer or director an idea as to how it could work as a fully-fledged TV show - without the gloss and big budgets which, let's face it, nobody has these days.

"More and more performers and directors make their own pilots these days so it seems only right to let the general public in on the act too. After all, they're often the harshest critics and they can make or break any show.

"So I'm going to be brave and open it up to critique. I hope I'm not going to regret this too much!"

 

Gavin is keen to know what people like, what they think could be done differently and what would make them tune in if the show became a regular instalment.

In addition to the man himself, the cast is made up of well-known North East comedians and actors including Simon Donald (co-founder of Viz), Judi Earl (Key Change, Open Clasp), Alfie Joey (BBC Newcastle, BBC2's Hebburn), Sammy Dobson (I, Daniel Blake), Cal Halbert (who has performed at the London Palladium as well as on Britain's Got Talent with comedy partner Alfie), Dave Greener, Matt Reed, Suzanne Richardson and Brogan Gilbert.

This isn't the first time Gavin has appeared on screen, having enjoyed success alongside Sammy Dobson in Ken Loach's award-winning I, Daniel Blake last year. Gavin also lent his voice to animated BBC comedy, Walk on the Wild Side along with Sarah Millican and Jason Manford.

To view the sitcom, search 'I've got a job for you Gav' on YouTube and leave your comments or share them on Twitter with @JobForGav.