WE HAVE WAYS OF MAKING YOU LAUGH
German TV calls in crack Brit comedy team
GERMAN TV has drafted in a crack team of British actors and writers to create a laugh-a-minute prime-time show because they have not been able to come up with a funny formula for years.
COMEDY-starved German telly producers have drafted in a top team of 50 British actors and writers to help them create a laughter filled prime-time programme.
The nation has struggled to land a funny TV hit for years and has gone to drastic measures by bringing in dozens of Brits to finally make the country giggle.
The Germans want to have the last laugh after relying on Fawlty Towers, Mr Bean and Monty Python for comic relief.
Telly bosses there now hope that their Englishspeaking show Pan Tau will be such a success they can sell it over here.
Comedy magician Matt Edwards, a finalist in Britain’s Got Talent 2017, is the star of the programme made by Caligari Film.
He plays title character Pan Tau, a mute space being who communicates through magical powers.
He is joined by Niamh McGrady (The Fall) and Orlando Seale (Pride And Prejudice) in a story written by British comedians.
Caligari declares itself “the first German production house to produce a series in the English language with an entirely British cast, shot in Germany”.
Producer Gabriele Walther said: “The shooting was magical in every way. My big thanks to Matt Edwards and the great team that has created fantastic pictures.”
And early reviews have applauded the magician’s performance.
The show comes as the Germans look to shrug off stereotypes that suggest they lack a sense of humour, especially as a 2011 poll named them the least funny nation on Earth.
Experts say it is because of their language not translating well.
Lawyer Christian Baumann said: “When you try a literal translation from German to English, you lose a lot of meaning that makes a joke funny.
“And when you have to explain a joke, it just isn’t funny any more.”