Benidorm (British TV series)
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| Benidorm | |
|---|---|
| [[ ]] | |
| Created by | Derren Litten |
| Starring | Steve Pemberton Siobhan Finneran Sheila Reid Oliver Stokes Kenny Ireland Janine Duvitski Hugh Sachs Paul Bazely Jake Canuso Elsie Kelly Crissy Rock Tim Healy Adam Gillen Kathryn Drysdale Shelley Longworth Tony Maudsley Selina Griffiths Neil Fitzmaurice |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 4 |
| No. of specials | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Sophie Clarke-Jervoise |
| Producers | Jo Willett Geoffrey Perkins Ben Cavey |
| Running time | 30–75 mins |
| Production company | Tiger Aspect |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV (ITV1/STV/UTV) (also ITV1 HD/STV HD/UTV HD) |
| Release | 1 February 2007 – 8 April 2011 |
| Related | |
| The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2009) | |
Benidorm is an award winning British television comedy-drama that is produced by Tiger Aspect for ITV and written by Derren Litten, co-writer of The Catherine Tate Show, exploiting the working-class stereotype of this popular tourist destination.
As of December 2010, there have been three series, as well as two special hour long episodes. The first aired on 31 May 2009 and picked up where series 2 left off, and the second was a Christmas special which aired on 26 December 2010. A fourth series was launched on 25 February 2011, featuring some cast changes following the departure of Johnny Vegas, Hannah Hobley, Nicholas Burns, Abigail Cruttenden and the death of Geoffrey Hutchings.
On 22 February 2011, series creator Derren Litten announced that the fourth series would be his final one, but the future of the show, based on viewing ratings and continued interest in the cast of characters, could continue under new direction.[1]
On 14th April 2011, almost a week after series 4 had finished, ITV announced that Benidorm will return for a fifth series, due to start shooting in the summer, with Derren Litten returning to write some of the new series.[2]
Series
Benidorm is a prime-time ITV sitcom set in Spain, which features a strong ensemble cast composed of a number of well known faces. Set primarily in the Solana all-inclusive resort hotel, Benidorm follows regulars and first-time holiday makers on their holidays abroad. Despite their disparate backgrounds they all have one thing in common - a quest for getting value for money!
The first series of Benidorm proved to be a fairly modest hit for ITV - with critics saying things like: "beautifully written and performed" and "a gem of wry observation in withering bad taste". Series Two, which was broadcast in April and May 2008, saw all the main characters return to the Solana Resort for eight new episodes.
Benidorm returned again in 2009 for a summer special which picked up where the second series left off (with several characters in prison, hospital and disappearing out to sea).The third series, which started in October 2009, was set one year after the summer special as the holidaymakers took up the offer of a free holiday given to them by the Solana Resort. The Garveys are among those to return and soon find themselves right in the middle of the action, courtesy of Madge and Mel (who have setup a shop in Benidorm). The new series continued the trend in having popular guest stars playing outlandish characters. Robin Askwith, Keith Barron, Una Stubbs and Tim Healy all make appearances during Series 3.
History
The first series aired on ITV from 1 February - 8 March 2007. This series was nominated for a BAFTA in the Best Sitcom category of the 2008 awards which took place at the London Palladium on 20 April 2008.[3] It won a National Television Award in the Best Comedy category on 29 October 2008.
The second series aired on ITV from 28 March - 16 April 2008.This was the last series to have 30 minute episodes.
Benidorm returned to ITV for a one hour special which aired on 31 May 2009 at 21:00 on ITV.
The third series began airing on ITV on 2 October for a six week run. The format was changed to six hour-long episodes rather than the usual 30-minute slots. The series ended on 6 November 2009. Unlike previous series where bad language was infrequent, in the third series it is scripted much more regularly.
This special aired on 26 December 2010.
A fourth series was confirmed by Derren Litten on his Twitter page and possibly a live touring version of the show. It has been confirmed that several actors will not be returning to the show including Hannah Hobley (Chantelle),[4] Johnny Vegas (Geoff), Nicholas Burns (Martin) and Abigail Cruttenden (Kate).[5]
Benidorm returned to ITV1 on the 25th of February 2011 and it turns out that Noreen did return to the show but not with Clive (Brian Murphy), but with her daughter Pauline Mamood (Selina Griffiths) instead. It has now been confirmed by Derren Litten on his Twitter page that ITV have not commissioned a live touring of the show. This series is also to be his last.
In January 2011, Benidorm won the Natonal Television award for Most Popular Comedy Programme. [6][7]
- ^ Love, Ryan (22 February 2011). "'Benidorm' creator confirms exit". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Love, Ryan (14 April 2011). "'Benidorm' confirmed for fifth series". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
- ^ "Nominations Announced for Television Awards in 2008". Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ^ http://www.burnleycitizen.co.uk/news/7984359.Colne_actress_leaves_ITV_sitcom/
- ^ "Lost Vegas". The Sun. London. 31 March 2010.
- ^ "Past Winners". National Television Awards. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
- ^ "NTA 2011: National Television Awards results". Beehive City. Honeycomb Publishing & Media. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2011.