COMEDIANS IN NORTHERN Ireland have been reacting to the news that the BBC is to cancel two TV shows synonymous with comedy in the province.<\/p>\n
Long-running sitcom Give My Head Peace and comedy panel show The Blame Game were both axed this week as part of a huge cost-cutting exercise at the broadcaster.<\/p>\n
Overall, the BBC is seeking to make some \u00a3500 million (\u20ac590.7 million) in savings and these two TV programmes were among those not commissioned for a new series.<\/p>\n
Give My Head Peace was first broadcast as a once-off TV comedy way back in 1995 before it became a regular series in 1998 and ran until 2007.<\/p>\n
The show, which is primarily written and acted by comedy group The Hole in the Wall Gang, was then revived in 2016. The theme song for the show was She Says by The Saw Doctors.<\/p>\n
Essentially, the show exaggerated and was a critique of sectarian divides in the North and took a satirical look at the surrounding politics. As well as the TV show, Give My Head Peace also spawned a live stage show and a podcast.<\/p>\n
The stage show is set to continue after the decision to cut the TV show, with Aiken Promotions confirming in a statement this week<\/a> that it is \u201cdelighted to be supporting\u201d a show it describes as \u201ciconic\u201d ahead of live dates next year and into 2028.<\/p>\n As well as shows across Northern Ireland, Give My Head Peace Live is scheduled for shows in Louth and Dublin\u2019s Vicar Street in April 2027.<\/p>\n Give My Head Peace Podcast<\/a> \/ YouTube<\/p>\n The Blame Game was similar to other comedy panel shows that people would be familiar with but was focused on Northern Ireland. It broadcast its 23rd series last year.<\/p>\n Some of the criticism about the cancellation of the shows has stemmed from how those involved were informed of the move.<\/p>\n Tim McGarry, who plays Da in Give My Head Peace and is also host of The Blame Game, said they were told of the decision via email.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re slightly hurt as well in the manner of it. It was not very pleasant in that we were told by email after 30 years that Give My Head Peace wasn\u2019t coming back,\u201d McGarry told BBC Radio Ulster\u2019s Talkback<\/a> programme.<\/p>\n \u201cThe BBC doesn\u2019t owe us a living. We\u2019ve been very, very lucky, I want to make that absolutely clear, the BBC made this programme when no other broadcaster in Northern Ireland would make such a programme,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n BBC Northern Ireland<\/a> \/ YouTube<\/p>\n