Life & Style

TV GUIDE: A new generation of comedy talent on RTÉ Player International this June

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RTÉ has announced a new series of comedy shorts featuring up-and-coming Irish comedic talent, which is now exclusively available on RTÉ Player and RTÉ Player International.

New bite-size sketches are being released every Monday for the next four weeks.

Funded by RTÉ television and mentored by the team behind Callan’s Kicks, Republic of Telly and Savage Eye, Comedy Bites is a collection of 16 comedy shorts from four young and talented production companies – Four Giants, Southpaw Pictures, Ghost Train Willy and Fawn Films.

From a One Man GAA Team and How to Guides with Alison Spittle to hard-hitting investigative journalism sketches with Geoff Pierce and the trials and tribulations of a weary tidy towns committee, the new series of shorts highlights the quality of young comedic talent throughout Ireland.

Eddie Doyle, RTÉ television’s Head of Comedy said: “We are constantly looking at ways to discover and provide a platform for new talent and RTÉ Player offers both the flexibility to experiment with emerging talent and an audience that enjoys home-grown comedy.

“The short-form format really lends itself to comedy and the sketches we have selected from these talented production companies is of a really high standard. I am really happy with the results and I hope people will enjoy them.”

WATCH: There's plenty to keep you entertained on RTÉ this June

As Ireland’s number one video-on-demand service, RTÉ Player offers a valuable platform for comedy talent to reach new audiences domestically.

Comedy Bites is also free of charge on the new RTÉ Player International App, offering invaluable access to Irish audiences living abroad.

Aoife Byrne, Director of Content and Products, RTÉ Digital, said: “We are thrilled to be showcasing such a fantastic selection of up and coming Irish comedy talent on RTÉ Player.

“RTÉ Player’s audiences love their comedy and these snackable, bite-sized funnies are perfect for our increasingly mobile audiences.

"We want RTÉ Player to be a platform for experimenting with fresh voices, stories and faces, particularly in shortform content. Comedy Bites fits this bill perfectly.”

Comedy Bites is available on RTÉ Player and RTÉ Player International now with new bite-size sketches being released every Monday for the next four weeks.

Meet the new names in Irish comedy

Four Giants

This Dublin-based video and motion graphics production company that merges skills in filming, editing, design and graphics to produce quality comedy content.

For RTÉ Comedy Bites, Four Giants collaborated with Irish comedian, Alison Spittle to produce video sketches that display her unique humour and outlook.

Southpaw Pictures

This award-winning TV and music video production company that has worked closely with RTÉ, TV3 and Channel 6.

They produced the 2013 RTÉ2 New Comedy Awards and Under Ether (RTÉ2).

Trevor Browne and Ronan Grace are the talent behind their Comedy Bites.

Ghost Train Willy

This five-headed comedy group that was formed in Dublin in 2008.

Credits include Republic of Telly, Zig and Zag’s Superbloopers, 98fm, Newstalk, the Bulmers International Comedy Festival, and the Flat Lakes Festival.

Members have featured individually on Callan’s Kicks, Moone Boy, Damo & Ivor, Trojan Donkey, Roy, Red Rock, andFair City.

GTW was nominated for a Best Ensemble award for their sold-out comedy musical, Rhubarb Crumble, in the 2014 Tiger Dublin Fringe, and their hilarious YouTube shorts Whelan and Dealin and Tulsa have been viral sensations.

Fawn Films

This is the brainchild of the multi award-winning team of director, Shaun O’ Connor and writer/actor Tadhg Hickey.

Shaun and Tadhg’s short film work has been screened all over the world, including at the Dublin, Helsinki, Boston and DC Shorts film festivals.

Their most recent project was the web comedy series Ronanism for RTÉ Storyland.

The show was acclaimed and had many high-profile fans such as the Rubberbandits, Aisling Bea and Johnny Vegas.

Comedy Bites is their first project with their awesome new producer, Claire O’Connell.

Stay in touch with TV from home

Download the new RTÉ Player International iPhone and iPad app and start enjoying hundreds of hours of great Irish television, including just-aired TV programmes, box sets and collections.

Some content may require a monthly subscripton to view. See App Store for pricing guide details.