Sky Atlantic HD launches comedy Mondays from 25th June with Alan Partridge, VEEP and WALKING AND TALKING

London (31 May, 2012):  As part of the channel’s strategy to bring the smartest, most engaging comedy exclusively to Sky customers, Sky Atlantic HD today announces its enviable comedy slate and plans to devote Monday nights to the genre. Bringing customers world-class comedy from the finest talent from both on and off screen, Sky Atlantic HD’s comedy Mondays begin from 25th June.

Boasting the long-awaited return of three British comedy icons – Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci and Kathy Burke – to the small screen, the launch of Sky Atlantic HD’s comedy slate reflects the quality and breadth of comedy content Sky customers can expect to enjoy exclusively on the channel, on demand with Sky Anytime+ and on the move with Sky Go every week.

Starting with the first of Sky Atlantic HD’s raft of original commissions and acquisitions from one of the UK’s most influential writer-performers, Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge will reveal the places that have made him the man he is today in brand new one-off mockumentary ALAN PARTRIDGE: WELCOME TO THE PLACES OF MY LIFE at 9pm.

Then at 10pm Sky Atlantic HD premieres VEEP, the hugely anticipated new HBO sitcom from multi-award winning comedy writer and director Armando Iannucci. Turning his attention to the inner workings of American politics, VEEP stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, the US Vice President, and has received widespread critical acclaim in the US, with The Washington Post declaring the series “brilliantly fresh” and The New York Post claiming it has “rescued the sitcom.”

From Washington to Islington, Sky Atlantic HD’s comedy Monday finishes with Kathy Burke’s WALKING AND TALKING at 10.30pm. Burke’s first ever piece of writing for television, WALKING AND TALKING is a semi-autobiographical series inspired by the actor and comedian’s teenage years – time spent skiving from school with her best friend, talking about boys and planning for the future.

And this is just the beginning of Sky Atlantic HD’s comedy line-up, which also includes original commissions including HUNDERBY, an extraordinarily dark new comedy from Julia Davis; brand new chat show RONNA & BEVERLY, which sees the pair affectionately roast some of the biggest names in showbiz and ADAM BUXTON’S BUG, in which the seasoned comedian, writer and director examines new music videos and the spectrum of comments they provoke amongst the online community.

Acting Channel Director of Sky Atlantic HD, Naomi Gibney comments: “From June 25th, Sky Atlantic HD will be the channel where the biggest names in comedy – both on and off screen - will showcase their unique brand of comedy.  We’re so proud of these shows we’ve dedicated Monday nights to them.”

As part of Sky’s commitment to increase its investment in original British content by 50% over the next three years, the channel will continue to invest in and showcase bold, smart and grown up comedy, ensuring that the greatest comedy talent are given the creative freedom to make truly original, distinctive shows.

ALAN PARTRIDGE: WELCOME TO THE PLACES OF MY LIFE premieres as part of Sky Atlantic HD’s comedy Mondays from 25th June at 9pm

VEEP premieres as part of Sky Atlantic HD’s comedy Mondays from 25th June at 10pm

WALKING AND TALKING premieres as part of Sky Atlantic HD’s comedy Mondays from 25th June at 10.30pm

For further information please contact

Tamsyn Zietsman - Head of PR, Sky Atlantic HD
T: +44 (0)20 7032 8093
E: Tamsyn.Zietsman@bskyb.com

Luke Morrison - Publicity Manager, Sky Atlantic HD
T: 020 7032 1479
E: Luke.Morrison@bskyb.com

Megan MacLeod - Publicist, Sky Movies HD, Sky Atlantic HD
T:
E: megan.macleod@bskyb.com

Sarah Aspinall - Senior Publicist, Sky
T:
E: Sarah.Aspinall@bskyb.com

- ,
T:
E: claire.wilson@bskyb.com

Notes to editor

SKY ATLANTIC HD’S COMEDY SLATE AT A GLANCE

ALAN PARTRIDGE: WELCOME TO THE PLACES OF MY LIFE
9pm, Monday 25th June
E: Sarah.aspinall@bskyb.com  T: +44(0)20 7032 1488

VEEP 10pm, Monday 25th June
E: Megan.macleod@bskyb.com  T: +44 (0)20 7032 4252

WALKING AND TALKING 10.30pm, Monday 25th June
E: Luke.morrison@bskyb.com  T: +44 (0)20 7032 1479

ALAN PARTRIDGE ON OPEN BOOKS WITH MARTIN BRYCE July
E: Sarah.aspinall@bskyb.com  T: +44(0)20 7032 1488   

ADAM BUXTON’S BUG July
E: Claire.wilson@bskyb.com T: +44(0)20 7032 3071

ALAN PARTRIDGE MID MORNING MATTERS: SPECIAL EDITION July
E: Sarah.aspinall@bskyb.com T: +44(0)20 7032 1488

BRAND X WITH RUSSELL BRAND July
E: Tamsyn.zietsman@bskyb.com

HOUSE OF LIES July
E: Claire.wilson@bskyb.com T: +44(0)20 7032 3071

HUNDERBY August
E: Luke.morrison@bskyb.com  T: +44 (0)20 7032 1479

RONNA & BEVERLY September
E: Luke.morrison@bskyb.com  T: +44 (0)20 7032 1479

DON’T SIT IN THE FRONT ROW October
E: Megan.macleod@bskyb.com  T: +44 (0)20 7032 4252

GIRLS October
E: Megan.macleod@bskyb.com  T: +44 (0)20 7032 4252

STEVE COOGAN’S STAND UP DOWN UNDER Later this year
E: Sarah.aspinall@bskyb.com  T:+44(0)20 7032 1488

UNCLE WORMSELY’S CHRISTMAS December
E: Sarah.aspinall@bskyb.com  T: +44(0)20 7032 1488

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