G4 is bolstering an international programming block with two new British comedies, and BBC America will air two seasons of hot new coming-of-age comedy drama Skins.
On Friday, Aug. 1, Comcast-owned G4 will add streetwise magic show Freaky and sketches from multiple-character expert Peter Serafinowicz. The Peter Serafinowicz Show debuts at 8:30 p.m. and Freaky follows at 9 p.m.
G4 says it aims at “early adopters” looking for what’s new, and that’s what the “Duty Free TV” block aims to deliver.
Freaky is a fresh, funny and outrageous take on magic that is aimed at young, street-wise viewers who wouldn't be caught dead in the audience of a typical magician. The "Kings of the Curious" are far from the typical, run-of-the-mill magicians. They are six talented young performers who ply their wares anywhere an unsuspecting audience can be found; on the streets, in a fish market, or in their own electronic performance spaces.
Peter Serafinowicz, who was recently named best entertainer at this year's Rose D'Or International Television Awards, portrays a wide range of offbeat characters that have won him a legion of fans abroad and he pulls out all the stops in this six-part half-hour comedy series From foppish Hollywood news reporter Kennedy St. King to a gay Sherlock Holmes, Serafinowicz presents a nonstop cacophony of well-known personalities like Al Pacino, Simon Cowell, Alan Alda and numerous other celebrities.
G4's international programming includes Ninja Warrior, Unbeatable Banzuke and Super Big Product Fun Show. Since the block launched in February 2008, the international programming has delivered a 22% advantage over G4's total-day average, according to the network.
On the home of British TV in the States, BBC America, Skins, starring Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy, The Weather Man) and with a team of writers averaging the age of 22, is a coming of age story for 2008. A potent mix of humorous, heartbreaking and shocking stories unfolds as the group tackles the trials of adolescence while pushing boundaries and managing their parents in ways only teenagers can.
Skinswon the Golden Rose d'Or for drama in that festival in Lucerne, Switzerland, in May and was nominated for a BAFTA award for drama. It premieres Sunday, Aug. 17, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) and with back-to-back episodes and will settle into its regular 10 p.m. slot the following week.
Tony (Nicholas Hoult) is the leader of the pack. He undermines his dad on a daily basis and effortlessly covers up for his little sister, Effy (Kaya Scodelario), the only one Tony really cares about, even if she does drive him mad. As the best looking and most popular boy in town, Tony’s always taking the gang off on a new mission and loves a laugh at someone else’s expense. He’s dating Michelle (April Pearson), otherwise known as ‘Nips’. Drop dead gorgeous, Nips has a quick wit which keeps everyone on their toes, and Sid (Mike Bailey), Tony’s best friend, lusts after her. Poor Sid is a virgin with no confidence and Tony plays him like a fool. But Sid isn’t as stupid as he seems – he’ll get the girl of his dreams one day, just not the girl he thinks.
With daring realism, Skins is sure to take viewers on a turbulent ride through the lives of today’s youth. BBC America will show the first two seasons as one campaign.
