MUMBAI: Two new scripted comedies from international format distributor Distraction Formats will make their debut at the television marketplace MipTV next month.
MIPTV takes place in Cannes, France from 2-6 April.
Aimed at the 15 to 35 age group, The Invincibles and Radio Sex are thoroughly modern vehicles that get maximum laugh mileage out age-old and ever-popular topics. At the same time, Distraction is exploiting the strength of its flagship comedy Love Bugs and the burgeoning popularity of new technologies with the development of interactive elements.
The Invincibles provides a look at the lives of four buddies facing imminent maturity. As their 30th birthdays approach, they ask the questions all young men must ask: Have we partied enough? Have we had our fair share of women, of thrills - of fun? There's only one way to be sure, which provides the basis for the wild times that make up this outrageous 60-minute comedy.
Distraction's second new scripted format comes in 100 quick 5-minute episodes, each one a burst of insight into sex, love, relationships and the baggage that accompanies them. Radio Sex focusses on a late-night radio show whose mission it is to create a communication channel between men and women. In a case of life imitating art, secrets are exchanged, plots are hatched, and the sexes "communicate" in the broadcast studio, the production office and the radio station bathroom.
Distraction CEO, Michel Rodrigue says, "We are very pleased to bring these shows to MipTV. Both are very clever and extremely funny, which makes them a natural fit within our formats catalogue."
Working with Interactive Rights Management (IRM), Distraction has already developed a range of interactive services from fixed line telephony brand extensions to MMS comic strips and mobile video downloads for Love Bugs in Russia. Interactive elements have also been introduced into the format in Italy, and services will soon launch in Ukraine and the Middle-East.
IRM's Valérie Bozzetto says, "The strong format brands that Distraction represents provide excellent launch pads for interactive services. We enjoy working with Distraction's clients to implement these and to help them fully realize interactive potential."
Another Distraction property, Sins of Love, has recently sold in France, and development of interactive applications around the format is under way. Sins of Love was launched at Mipcom last October.
