Pete V Life picked up, Plus One axed

I wish Channel 4 wouldn't commission full series of pilots in their Comedy Showcase season before they've aired. A big part of the fun is the belief (however mistaken) that audience reaction plays a part in dictating what becomes a "proper" show. Last week, PhoneShop was picked up by E4 the day its pilot was broadcast, and now Channel 4 have ordered a full series of Pete V Life (about a man whose life is narrated by sports commentators), and it won't even get to air its Comedy Showcase pilot -- which is probably for the best. The five-part Pete V Life will arrive on our screens in May 2010.

In related news, it's been confirmed that the sitcom Plus One (which was born from last year's Comedy Showcase) has been axed. It's a shame in many ways, as I really enjoyed it, but admittedly the premise didn't lend itself to more than one series. It's hard to see how they'd have justified another series, particularly with a title that restricts the show so badly.