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Press Releases
Mark Freeland is new Head of Comedy
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Mark Freeland is to take up one of the key creative roles in the 91Èȱ¬ – across an area that has produced many of Britain's best-loved and influential series from Only Fools And Horses to The Office to Little Britain to The Thick Of It – when he returns to the 91Èȱ¬ as its newly-appointed Head of Comedy for Vision Studios.
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Mark joins from Hartswood Films and takes up his post in September, bringing with him over 20 years of experience in TV and comedy.
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He will be in charge of in-house comedy production across all four television networks as well as radio comedy and entertainment, working with some of Britian's most acclaimed producers, writers and performers.
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Between 2002 and 2005, Mark was Head of Comedy Commissioning at the 91Èȱ¬, and responsible for commissioning, executive producing and developing comedy across the four 91Èȱ¬ channels – working closely with in-house and independent production teams.
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Series included Nighty Night, QI, Early Doors, The Worst Week Of My Life, The Catherine Tate Show, The Kumars At No 42, The Mighty Boosh, Sensitive Skin, Alistair McGowan's Big Impression, Look Around You, Marion And Geoff and Mock The Week to name but a few.
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Freeland will take up his job at 91Èȱ¬ Television Centre on 3 September, replacing Jon Plowman who last month announced he was stepping down to return to programme-making with the 91Èȱ¬ after 14 years at the helm.
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91Èȱ¬ Comedy Studio is currently making a wide range of programmes for all networks from the likes of Jam And Jerusalem and The Life And Times Of Vivienne Vyle from the pen of Jennifer Saunders, a Christmas special of Extras from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, a second series of the BAFTA award-winning That Mitchell And Webb Look for 91Èȱ¬ Two, to newer titles like Spacehopper and The Visit for 91Èȱ¬ Three from its fast-growing Comedy North stable in Manchester.
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Mark Freeland said: "I am very excited to be going back to the 91Èȱ¬ as Head of Comedy. I am looking forward to leading a department that has an incredible heritage, an exciting present and a future of outstanding potential.
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"I wish I could have it both ways, as I am enormously grateful to Hartswood Films and will miss the Vertues' unique talent, experience and generous guidance."
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Peter Salmon, Chief Creative Officer, 91Èȱ¬ Vision, added: "Mark is stepping into one of the great jobs in British TV and radio.
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"He is a much respected figure in the industry and brings with him a wealth of experience and relationships from across the UK production sector that will prove vital for one of the key creative jobs in the entire 91Èȱ¬.
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"Under Mark, comedy will continue to grow as one of the powerhouses of in-house 91Èȱ¬ production."
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Beryl Vertue added: "We have had a great relationship with Mark at Hartswood and, although I am sorry to see him go, I can understand this is a career opportunity that would be hard for him to turn down."
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Between 1997 and 2002, Mark was Head of Original Programmes at Sky One where he commissioned and executive produced shows across comedy, factual entertainment and drama including Dream Team, Al Murray's Time Gentlemen Please, Harry Enfield's Brand Spanking New Show and Paul Whitehouse's Jumpers For Goalposts.
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Prior to this, Mark worked as a writer and script editor on comedy series for Channel 4 and 91Èȱ¬ Two and as a development producer at Planet 24 and senior producer of The Big Breakfast.
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TM/KT
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