Timewasters: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|UK television comedy}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2021}}

{{short description|UK television comedy}}

{{Infobox television

| name = Timewasters

| image = Timewasters title card.jpg

| image_upright =

| image_size =

| image_alt =

| caption =

| alt_name =

| genre = <!--{{unbulleted Must be reliably sourced -->list

| [[Science-fiction]]

| [[Comedy]]

| [[Satire]]

}}

| creator = [[Daniel Lawrence Taylor]]

| developer =

| writer = {{unbulleted list
| Daniel Lawrence Taylor,
| [[Barunka O'Shaughnessy]]

}}

| story =

| director = [[George Kane (director)|George Kane]]

| creative_director =

| starring = {{unbulleted list
| [[Adelayo Adedayo]],
| Daniel Lawrence Taylor,
[[Josh Cole]],| [[Kadiff Kirwan]],
| [[Samson Kayo]]

}}

| theme_music_composer =

| opentheme =

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| runtime = <!-- Reliable source required -->

| company = [[Big Talk Productions]]

| distributor =

| budget =

| network = [[ITV2]]

| picture_format =

| audio_format =

| first_aired = {{Start date|2017|10|09|df=yes}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2019|04|08|df=yes}}

| related = <!-- To be used only for remakes, spin-offs, and adaptations. If US version gets its own article, it can be linked here.-->

| website = <!-- Remove or comment out this parameter line completely if URL exists on or is moved to Wikidata; use |website_title= to change the display title. -->

| production_website = https://www.bigtalkproductions.com/production/timewasters/ <!-- use |production_website_title= to change the display title. -->

}}

'''''Timewasters''''' is a British satirical timescience-travelfiction comedy television programme, first broadcast on [[ITV2]] in 2017 with a second series broadcast in 2019. It was created by [[Daniel Lawrence Taylor]] and written by Taylor and [[Barunka O'Shaughnessy]]. It was produced for ITV Studios by [[Kenton Allen]] and Matthew Justice of [[Big Talk Productions]]. EpisodesThe episodes were directed by [[George Kane (director)|George Kane]]. The programme stars Taylor, [[Adelayo Adedayo]], [[Samson Kayo]] and [[Kadiff Kirwan]] as the members of an unsuccessful all-black South London [[jazz quartet]] who time-travel to the [[1920s in jazz|1920s]], and later the [[1950s in jazz|1950s]], visiting the [[Jazz Age]] and post-war [[cool jazz]] period while experiencing culture clashes as they manoeuvre in the unfamiliar eras.<ref name="DeadlineIMDb"/>

Critical response to the programme was generally favourable, with praise for its originality in addressing racism through the comedic insertion of modernity into a period setting. It is also known for satirizing [[historical drama]]s and their lack of diversity. There was critical praise for the writing, direction, chemistry of the main cast, and music. Taylor won the Breakthrough Award at the 2018 [[Royal Television Society]] Programme Awards, and the programme was nominated for Best Scripted Comedy at the [[2018 British Academy Television Awards]].

== Cast ==

Main cast (the jazz quartet):<ref name="DeadlineIMDb"/><!--ref for the four main cast only-->{{efn|Taylor named the four main characters after his four siblings.<ref name="CarsonRenaissance"/>}}

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*[[Theo Barklem-Biggs]] as Len White, a club owner

*[[Ellie White]] as Janice, a Russian spy

*[[Oliver Wellington]] as JJ, Jason and Victoria's son

*[[Clint Dyer]] as General Hands, a grifting jazz musician

*[[Sam Douglas]] as Vadim, a Russian spy

*[[Daniel Simonsen]] as Alexei, a Russian spy

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*[[Javone Prince]] as Pastor Gabriel

*[[Patrick Baladi]] as Jonty Ripperton Clack, a conservative politician

*[[Maple Briscoe]] as Time Travelling Girl

== Episodes ==

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===Series 1 (2017)===

{{Episode table |overall=5 |series=5 ||airdate=16 |airdateR=<ref name="RT1"/> |episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

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== Development ==

The programme was created by Taylor, who began working on it in 2015.<ref name="RTSPanel"/>{{rp|2:45}} He recalled that "I wanted to write a comedy for young black actors and I saw that shows such as ''[[The Inbetweeners]]'', ''[[Drifters (TV series)|Drifters]]'' and ''[[Plebs (TV series)|Plebs]]'' were doing well."<ref name="RTSHit"/> Taylor was learning to play the trumpet{{efn|Taylor had been performing as half of the comedy duo Ginger and Black,<ref name="RTSHit"/> in which his partner could play numerous instruments while he couldn't play any.<ref name="RTSPanel"/>{{rp|3:20}}}} and this interest led him to write about a black jazz band in the 1920s.<ref name="RTSTravel"/> While acting on post-apocalyptic romantic-comedy ''[[Cockroaches (TV series)|Cockroaches]]'', Taylor decided to use a [[high concept]] and added time travel.<ref name="RTSPanel"/>{{rp|3:50}} He wrote a [[spec script]] with the [[working title]] ''Black to the Future'',{{efn|The working title ''Black to the Future'' was changed following objections from [[Universal Pictures]], which owns the rights to ''[[Back to the Future]]''.<ref name="RTSHit"/> This film was referenced in the series&nbsp;2 premiere, in which three of the quartet say they'd never seen it.}} which was later changed to ''Blackwards'' and then ''Timewasters''.<ref name="CarsonRenaissance"/><ref name="RTSHit"/><ref name="BCGInterview"/><ref name="KhaleeliSubverted"/> Although racial themes run throughout the programme, Taylor has said that it is "first and foremost ... a comedy."<ref name="RTSHit"/>

''Timewasters'' is Taylor's first project writing for scripted television. He worked with an editor provided by [[Big Talk Productions]], who were producing ''Cockroaches'' for ITV, and improved his script over a few drafts.<ref name="RTSHit"/> According to Taylor, the programme came at a time when there were "discussion[s] about putting more black talent on screen".<ref name="RTSHit"/> His spec script drew interest from ITV,<ref name="RTSPanel"/>{{rp|4:35}} which commissioned a rehearsal reading.<ref name="RTSPanel"/>{{rp|7:10}} Casting was made through auditions; though the main cast hadn't worked together before, they had a quick chemistry and studio executives thought they were longtime friends.<ref name="RTSHit"/><ref name="RTSPanel"/>{{rp|8:40}} Taylor then worked with [[Barunka O'Shaughnessy]] and through a series of drafts they improved the humour and pacing of his stories for the first series.<ref name="RTSHit"/>

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=== Music ===

The cast took lessons to act like they could play their instruments, but don'tdo not play any music in the series.<ref name="RTSTravel"/><ref name="BCGInterview"/>

[[Nick Foster]] and Oli Julian composed the original music for the programme and arranged the jazzy covers of modern songs.<ref name="LBBscore"/> Foster posted the ''Timewasters Season One Original Soundtrack'' on his [[SoundCloud]] account.<ref name="S1OST"/> Cover songs include "[[Hey Ya!]]", "[[Return of the Mack]]",<ref name="GizmodoReview"/> and "[[Back to Black (song)|Back to Black]]".<ref name="GGA"/>

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== Planned US remake ==

In 2019, Taylor stated that he was in talks with [[LL Cool J]] as a potential producer for a US remake of the series for CBS.<ref name="RTSHit"/><ref name="CarsonRenaissance"/> In early 2021, it was announced that a US remake of ''Timewasters'' was in development at [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], under showrunner [[Lauren Ashley Smith]] with Lawrence Taylor, Kenton Allen and Matthew Justice (Big Talk Productions) also executive producing. The remake would be set in New York City and explore the [[Harlem Renaissance]] while contrasting the black experience of 2021 with that of 1926.<ref name="DeadlineRemake"/><ref name="NewYorker"/> The untitled project was being developed for ABC through [[CBS Studios]].<ref name="DeadlineDeal"/> It was reported that a pilot was scheduled to be filmed in early 2021, following COVID-19 delays.<ref name="BCGuspilot"/><ref name="Deadlineuspilot"/> However, a lack of press releases or reportage after August&nbsp;2021 suggests that it did not go into production.

In 2019, Taylor stated that he was in talks with [[LL Cool J]] as a potential producer for a US remake of the series for CBS.<ref name="RTSHit"/><ref name="CarsonRenaissance"/>

In early 2021, it was announced that a US remake of ''Timewasters'' was in development at [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], under showrunner [[Lauren Ashley Smith]] with Lawrence Taylor, Kenton Allen and Matthew Justice (Big Talk Productions) also executive producing. The remake would be set in New York City and explore the [[Harlem Renaissance]] while contrasting the black experience of 2021 with that of 1926.<ref name="DeadlineRemake"/><ref name="NewYorker"/>

==See also==

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<ref name="DeadlineRemake">{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/lauren-ashley-smith-developing-u-s-remake-of-british-time-travel-comedy-timewasters-in-the-works-at-abc-1234679842/ |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |title=Lauren Ashley Smith Developing U.S. Remake Of British Time-Travel Comedy 'Timewasters' In the Works at ABC |first=Peter |last=White |date=25 January 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723012518/https://deadline.com/2021/01/lauren-ashley-smith-developing-u-s-remake-of-british-time-travel-comedy-timewasters-in-the-works-at-abc-1234679842/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="DeadlineDeal">{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/lauren-ashley-smith-overall-deal-cbs-studios-1234821098/ |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |title=Lauren Ashley Smith Inks Overall Deal With CBS Studios |first=Denise |last=Petski |date=24 August 2021 |access-date=5 January 2025 }}</ref>

<ref name="Deadlineuspilot">{{cite news |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |title=Big Talk CEO Kenton Allen on 'The Offenders' Renewal; Getting 'Back' Back On Channel 4/Sundance; The End Of 'Friday Night Dinner' |first=Jake |last=Kanter |date=13 January 2021 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/big-talk-kenton-allen-the-offenders-back-friday-night-dinner-1234670955/ |access-date=5 January 2025 }}</ref>

<ref name="RTSTravel">{{cite web |url=https://rts.org.uk/DanielLawrenceTaylor |title=Daniel Lawrence Taylor: People like us never get to time travel |first=Ed |last=Gove |publisher=[[Royal Television Society]] |date=30 September 2017 |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828200908/https://rts.org.uk/daniellawrencetaylor |url-status=live }}</ref>

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<ref name="BCGInterview">{{cite web |author=<!--staff writers--> |title=Timewasters Interview |website=[[British Comedy Guide]] |date=9 October 2017 |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/timewasters/interview/timewasters/ |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828181151/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/timewasters/interview/timewasters/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="BCGuspilot">{{cite web |author=<!--staff writers--> |title=Timewasters to be piloted in America |website=[[British Comedy Guide]] |date=13 January 2021 |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/6161/timewasters-usa/ |access-date=5 January 2025 }}</ref>

<ref name="GizmodoReview">{{cite web |first=Cheryl |last=Eddy |title=''Timewasters''{{'}} Time-Travel Adventures Are Definitely Not a Waste of Time |url=https://gizmodo.com/timewasters-time-travel-adventures-are-definitely-not-a-1847081036 |website=[[Gizmodo]] |date=15 June 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828181154/https://gizmodo.com/timewasters-time-travel-adventures-are-definitely-not-a-1847081036 |url-status=live }}</ref>

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<ref name="BSA">{{cite web |url=https://www.britishscreenwritersawards.com/2018.html |title=The British Screenwriters' Awards 2018 |publisher=London Screenwriters Festival |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828181154/https://www.britishscreenwritersawards.com/2018.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="ETVA">{{cite web |title=Edinburgh TV Awards 2018 |date=7 March 2018 |publisher=Edinburgh International Television Festival |url=https://www.thetvfestival.com/whats-on/awards-2018/ |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922115003/https://www.thetvfestival.com/whats-on/awards-2018/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GGA">{{cite web |first=Melody |last=McCune |url=https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/timewasters-season-1-review/ |title=Timewasters Season 1 Is a Charming, Innovative Dive Into Time Travel |website=Geek Girl Authority |date=3 June 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828181150/https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/timewasters-season-1-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

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==External links==

* {{IMDb title|tt7333970}}

*[https://www.bigtalkproductions.com/production/timewasters/ ''Timewasters''] at [[Big Talk Productions]] website

*{{YouTube|0CSwBtqE-64|''Timewasters'' series 1 trailer}}

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[[Category:2010s British sitcoms]]

[[Category:2017 British television series debuts]]

[[Category:2019 British television series endings]]

[[Category:2010s time travel television series]]

[[Category:ITV sitcoms]]

[[Category:British English-language television shows]]

[[Category:Television series by Big Talk Productions]]

[[Category:Television series set in the 1920s]]

[[Category:Television series set in 1958]]

[[Category:British time travel television series]]

[[Category:RacismTelevision inshows televisionabout racism]]