British Comedy Guide: The Evolution of a Comedy Resource
For fans of humor in the UK, the British Comedy Guide (BCG) serves as a comprehensive hub for tracking the landscape of televised and live comedy. What began as a personal project has grown into a multifaceted platform that documents the history and current state of the British comedy industry.
From Sitcoms to a Broad Comedy Remit
The platform was founded in August 2003 by Mark Boosey, a freelance web developer. Originally launched as the British Sitcom Guide (BSG), the website was initially a hobby project focused specifically on British sitcoms—television programs characterized by a fixed set of characters in a recurring comedic setting.
As the project grew, its scope expanded. In 2008, the website was relaunched as the British Comedy Guide, broadening its focus beyond sitcoms to encompass the wider world of British comedy. This relaunch introduced several new features to enhance user engagement and industry coverage, including a series of podcasts, a dedicated section for interviews with comedy professionals, and a news service delivered via Twitter.
Visual Identity and Modernization
To keep pace with the evolving web landscape, the site underwent another significant relaunch in 2016. This update focused on a complete redesign of the layout to improve user experience and the introduction of a new logo, which features a yellow crown positioned above the word 'Guide'.
Industry Recognition
The impact of the British Comedy Guide extends beyond its digital interface and into the live comedy circuit. In 2015, the site's data specialist, Ian Wolf, received professional recognition for his meticulous work. Wolf was awarded the inaugural "Unsung Hero" title at the first FringePig Ham Fist awards, specifically for his efforts in collating reviews during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the world's largest arts festivals.
Key Facts
- Founded: August 2003 by Mark Boosey.
- Original Name: British Sitcom Guide (BSG).
- Major Pivot: Relaunched as British Comedy Guide in 2008.
- Content Expansion: Added podcasts, industry interviews, and Twitter news.
- 2016 Update: Layout redesign and introduction of the yellow crown logo.
- Award: Ian Wolf won the "Unsung Hero" FringePig Ham Fist award in 2015.
| Year | Event | Key Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Foundation | Launched as British Sitcom Guide (BSG) |
| 2008 | First Relaunch | Renamed to British Comedy Guide; added podcasts and interviews |
| 2015 | Industry Award | Ian Wolf named "Unsung Hero" at FringePig Ham Fist awards |
| 2016 | Second Relaunch | Layout redesign and new logo implementation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the British Comedy Guide?
The website was created by Mark Boosey, a freelance web developer, who originally started the project as a hobby.
What was the website called when it first launched?
When it was founded in August 2003, the site was known as the British Sitcom Guide (BSG).
When did the site change its name to British Comedy Guide?
The website was relaunched under the name British Comedy Guide in 2008 to expand its remit beyond sitcoms.
What features were added during the 2008 relaunch?
The 2008 relaunch introduced a series of podcasts, interviews with people in the British comedy industry, and a Twitter-based news service.
What does the current BCG logo look like?
Following the 2016 redesign, the logo depicts a yellow crown on the word 'Guide'.
Why was Ian Wolf recognized at the FringePig Ham Fist awards?
Ian Wolf, a data specialist for BCG, was awarded the "Unsung Hero" title in 2015 for his work collating reviews during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.