Channel 4 celebrates 40th anniversary with ‘irreverent’ commissions

News in brief

Channel 4 is celebrating 40 years of programming by commissioning programmes speaking to “its radical, irreverent and iconoclastic roots”.

As part of its Truth and Dare season it has commissioned a “scabrously funny satirical musical” about Prince Andrew, The Return of Friday Night Live, a comedy show that launched the careers of Ben Elton, French and Saunders, Julian Clary, Fry and Laurie and Jo Brand, and Art Trouble with Jimmy Carr exploring cancel culture in the art world.

Also documentaries on topics from the 1980s to the porn industry, the monarchy and transgender rights with The ’80s: The Future is Now, Too Large for Love, Afghan Porn Star , Frankie Boyle: Monarchy (pictured, main image)and What is a Woman?. 

Ian Katz, chief content officer at Channel 4 said: “Instead of a nostalgia-thon of highlights from the last four decades, we are celebrating with a collection of irreverent, thought-provoking and hugely entertaining shows that no other broadcaster would air. If we must age, we plan to do it disgracefully.”