Cult comedy icon Alan Partridge is set to return next week in a series of short web videos funded by beer brand Fosters.
The character, played by Steve Coogan, will appear on the Fosters Funny Website in a dozen 11-minute long episodes, beginning on 5th November. A trailer goes live on the site tomorrow (29th October).
The site, at www.fostersfunny.co.uk, was created by Naked Communications, and forms part of a wider comedy initiative by Foster’s, which includes sponsorship of the Edinburgh Comedy Festival and the comedy strand on Channel 4.
Foster’s branding will be evident throughout the series, which is set at regional radio station North Norfolk Digital where Partridge hosts the ‘Mid Morning Matters’ segment.
Commenting on the new show, Gayle Harrison, Foster’s Marketing manager, said: “We are delighted to be working with one of the UK’s all-time favourite comedy shows as part of Foster’s comedy sponsorship programme and we look forward to increasing the brand’s dialogue and engagement with lager drinkers through this exclusive new partnership.”
The series was written and produced by Armando Iannucci and the production company Baby Cow.
Speaking in character, Partridge said: “I am delighted to announce that after years as a regional broadcaster on North Norfolk Digital my groundbreaking radio segment, Mid Morning Matters, will now be accessible to a potential audience of billions via the World Wide Web.
“That it has taken Foster’s to help realise my dream of joining the information superhighway is a damning indictment of the established broadcasters whose shabby treatment of me on Sept 10th 2001 was frankly shabby. I made dozens of calls the next day, all of which were ignored.
“My appreciation must go to Armando Iannucci and Baby Cow for ignoring the lies, god bless them. In the meantime I look forward to “hanging out ‘n’ chillin” with the MySpace generation.”
Naked Communications have confirmed that more comedy series will be revived by Foster’s next year.
www.fostersfunny.co.uk
