{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = The Comedy Unit Ltd. | logo = Banijay The-Comedy Unit Logo WaB RGB FInal-700x159.png | type = Subsidiary | founded = {{Start date and age|1983||}} | founder = Colin Gilbert | hq_location_city = Glasgow | hq_location_country = Scotland | industry = Television production | owner = | parent = {{Plainlist| *BBC (1983–1996) *RDF Media Group (2006–2010) *Zodiak Media (2010–2016) *Banijay Entertainment (2016–present) }} | website = [http://www.comedyunit.co.uk www.comedyunit.co.uk] }}
'''The Comedy Unit Ltd.''', also known sometimes as just '''Comedy Unit''', is a Scottish company that produces sitcoms, comedy sketches, live shows and other comedy productions. It began life as an in-house BBC department in 1983 under the auspices of Producer Colin Gilbert and became an independent production company in 1996 when Gilbert and business manager April Chamberlain left the BBC.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 November 1995 |title=BBC comedy duo to go independent |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12064956.BBC_comedy_duo_to_go_independent/ |accessdate=7 January 2017 |work=The Herald}}</ref> By 2001 they had an annual turnover of £2{{nbsp}}million a core staff of 12 employees.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ogilvy |first=Graham |date=19 August 2001 |title=Comedy Unit laughing all the way to the bank |url=http://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/media-leisure/comedy-unit-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-bank-1-1289209 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116161041/http://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/media-leisure/comedy-unit-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-bank-1-1289209 |archive-date=2017-01-16 |accessdate=14 January 2017 |work=Scotland on Sunday}}</ref> They have produced radio and television shows that were aired on BBC Scotland and BBC Radio Scotland.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dixon |first=Guy |date=31 August 2013 |title=Television and radio firm wins £4.5m orders |url=http://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/media-leisure/television-and-radio-firm-wins-163-4-5m-orders-1-1293170 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103171914/http://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/media-leisure/television-and-radio-firm-wins-163-4-5m-orders-1-1293170 |archive-date=2017-01-03 |accessdate=7 January 2017 |work=Scotland on Sunday}}</ref>
It was bought by London-based RDF Media Group in 2006<ref>{{cite news |date=30 August 2006 |title=GBP10m offer for firm behind the cream of Scots comedy Broadcasters back London group's move |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12519422.GBP10m_offer_for_firm_behind_the_cream_of_Scots_comedy_Broadcasters_back_London_group_apos_s_move/ |accessdate=7 January 2017 |work=The Herald}}</ref> which in turn was acquired by Paris-based Zodiak Entertainment Group in 2010. The creators of ''Still Game'', Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, terminated their connections with the expanded group although the show itself continued as a co-production. Zodiak was in turn acquired by the Banijay Group in 2016.
==Productions== *''Laugh??? I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee'' (1984) *''City Lights'' (1984–1991) *''Naked Video'' (1986–1991) *''Rab C. Nesbitt'' (1988–1999, 2008–2014) *''Only an Excuse?'' (1993–2020) *''The Baldy Man'' (1995–1997) *'' Atletico Partick'' (1996) *''Chewin' the Fat'' (1998–2002) *''Caledonian Macbrains'' (2001) *''Still Game'' (2002–2019) *''The Karen Dunbar Show'' (2003–2006) *''Offside'' (2004–2007) *''Legit'' (2006–2008) *''Having it All'' (2007) *''Fags, Mags and Bags'' (2007–2016) *''Empty'' (2008) *''Gary: Tank Commander'' (2009–2012) *''Limmy's Show'' (2009–2013) *''Frankie Boyle's Tramadol Nights'' (2010) *''Mordrin McDonald: 21st Century Wizard'' (2010–2012) *''Burnistoun'' (2009–2019) *''Badults'' (2013–2014) *''Scot Squad'' (2014–2023) *''Soft Border Patrol'' (2018–2020) *''Tourist Trap'' (2018–2019)
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.comedyunit.co.uk The Comedy Unit]
{{Banijay Group}} {{BBC Scotland}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Comedy Unit, The}} Category:Television production companies of the United Kingdom Category:Banijay