E4 blog

Shiny new things

1/12/2008 18:16:00

We launched a new homepage today. E4.com is nearly a year old now, so we've spent the past few months watching what you click on (those creepy people with the binoculars, in the purple car outside your window? Yeah, that was us) and decided to re-jig things a little.

We've a new flashy, scrolling thing that will hopefully allow you to find programme websites easier. It looks like this (go to the homepage to play with it):

The video playlist at the top of the page has been replaced by some BIG images which link to our hottest stuff. Further down the page, as well as featuring our latest videos, we're also showing off our newest games (adding a new one every day remember, over on the Games website).

We're also revamping some other parts of e4.com, as well as introducing a widescreen video player in a few weeks time. Not long now before Skins returns with a brand new series and fresh looking website too. It's gonna be a good Christmas.

Inbetweeners up for awards

1/12/2008 15:34:00

The Inbetweeners is up for two Broadcast awards - Best Comedy and Best Multichannel Programme. The awards will be made on January 21st. Filming is currently taking place on the second series.

Stand by for more Inbetweeners news soon.

Have you got game?

13/11/2008 15:32:00

You may have noticed something new in the purple navigation bar at the top of this page. Nestled between Telly and WTF, there's a link to our brand new games site, which we're rather imaginatively calling E4 Games.

We're adding a new web game review every day, seven days a week, slowly building up a massive database of the best games the web has to offer. We've already crammed in 250 classics, so there's plenty to play already. You can rate, comment on and recommend new games for us to include, so head over to E4 Games now.

We're making lots of other subtle (and not so subtle) changes to the site over the coming weeks. We're launching a new look homepage and redesigning our video player page, as well as tarting up some other areas before the end of the year. E4.com isn't even a year old yet, but we're doing these changes now to try and make it as easy to use as possible. Let us know your ideas and feedback.

Before the year is out, expect to see more original animations and games, plus some interesting news on how you can get involved in the new series of The Inbetweeners. *Lips zipped* for now.

ASBO superheroes are go!

6/11/2008 09:25:00

Misfits is a new E4 drama series about a group of teens on community service, who reluctantly try to save their town after developing superhero powers. Camilla Campbell, the series' Commissioner, tells us about it.

We’re massively excited at Channel 4 Drama to be commissioning Misfits. As the department behind Skins, we really wanted to find another series which is as funny and truthful about being a teenager, but completely different from the world of Skins.

The characters in Misfits have all been given ASBOs because they have refused to conform with society in some way. Their ASBOs are the only thing they have in common – they're forced to spend time together, but don't even particularly like each other at first. Then, following a freak electrical storm where the group are struck by lightning, they slowly begin to realise that they've developed superpowers. Superpowers they didn’t choose or want – powers which reveal each of their deepest, darkest fears.

So the girl who is paranoid about what people think of her, gains the ability to hear people's thoughts. The boy who has always been overlooked by everyone – his family; the people he’s at school with – finds he can make himself invisible. They can’t control their abilities at first, so they find their powers more of a hindrance than a help. But while they just want to finish their community service and get through the challenges of everyday life – relationships, friendships, parents and sex – fate has another task in store for them. Weird things are going on in their town – it’s like life is slowly being sucked out of it – and it becomes clear that they’re the only people who can do anything about it.

We’re currently looking at directors and actors – we want the cast to be a new group of talented and fresh faces, who get the humour and emotion of the show and bring an exciting new energy to E4. If you’re a fan of Skins, then we really hope you’ll be a fan of Misfits. Watch this space…

Misfits will be filmed in summer 2009 and air later that year.

E4 buys a bright new show

28/10/2008 10:30:00

Yes! *punches air* E4's showing the new version of 90210. Coming to the channel next year, the new version is billed as "edgy and contemporary" - but we know what you're really thinking: Is it full of hot people in hot water?

The answer is yes. Gawp in bejazzled amazement at this US trailer for it:

Even the teacher gets his top off! It's got the evil cow from Arrested Development in it! The tagline is "If you want to live in the zip, you've got to live by the code"! Seriously, what's not to love already?

I know you One Tree fans will always have that as your first love - but admit it, you're already thinking of cheating on it with 90210. You'll feel dirty, but you'll like it.

Meet the Fonejacker

24/10/2008 16:44:00

The new series of Fonejacker is released on DVD this Monday and the man behind the mask will be signing copies in central London. If you're anywhere near Oxford Street at 6pm this Monday 27th October, pop into Zavvi for a signature from the Fonejacker (Kayvan to his friends).

Next week we'll be giving away DVD copies of the new series and box sets of both seasons, so keep your eyes on the official Fonejacker website.

We've also just published a new Dufrais soundboard, which you can play here. Or see all the soundboards.

Have a great weekend.

The Inbetweeners: E4's first export

20/10/2008 10:35:00

The UK aren't the only people who love The Inbetweeners. It's been announced that the US are developing a version of it with the show's creators, Iain Morris and Damon Beesley.

Expect more of the same, only set in the US. High School Musical it ain't. There's no news yet about whether E4 will show the American Inbetweeners, but series two of the original airs next year. Our question is: Will the swearing in the American version be as uniquely creative?

Faster than a speeding bullet, Smallville will return

30/9/2008 16:44:00

I've spent ages trying to think up some heat-vision pun, but I can't so let's cut to the chase: Smallville series 7 ends tonight, but you're only going to have to wait a few weeks for the new series. We're showing season 8 in November!

Indulge in all things Smallville on the website

Fonejacker's top of the pops on iTunes

26/9/2008 16:18:00

Boast mode initiated:

The new series of Fonejacker is in pole position on iTunes' most downloaded TV episodes chart. We just had to tell someone. You can buy episodes for £1.89 and then keep 'em forever and ever. The first series is also available.

Click to see the Fonejacker page on iTunes (this link will open iTunes - you'll need to have iTunes installed on your computer)

More E4 shows you can buy on iTunes (links to another e4.com blog post)

There are lots of clips on our official Fonejacker website too, including some lovely behind the scenes stuff, like the video above.

End of boast.

What is the meaning of these pants?

22/9/2008 17:10:00

They're just one of many Skins props that we've dug up to give away.

Get your hands on some tat now!