GRANDAD'S BACK IN BUSINESS RELEASE

BACK IN BUSINESS (working title)

BBC Two has commissioned leading Indie Twenty Twenty Television to produce a new prime-time factual entertainment format that will take an entertaining look at ageism in the workplace. In Back in Business (4 x 60’) workers of ‘a certain age’ come out of retirement and go head to head with their younger rivals. Each self-contained episode is set in a different industry with hair-dressing, restaurants, stand-up comedy and event management under consideration. Up for grabs at the end of a probationary month is a real job.

Young whippersnapper or old fogey? The manager’s decision is final.

The government’s full of encouragement – keen we keep working till the day we die. But as anyone from the older generation knows, it’s extremely hard for the long-in-the-tooth to find employment when they approach retirement age. Back in Business puts recent changes to the law on ageism to the test.

Back in Business was commissioned by BBC Commissioning Editor Richard Klein and is Series Produced by Spencer Kelly. The series will be Executive Produced by Twenty Twenty Head of Factual Tim Carter, and executive produced for the BBC by Independent Commissioning Executive Producer Charlotte Moore.

Richard Klein said:

“This is a great chance for BBC Two to explore issues around ageism in the workplace in an entertaining way.”

Tim Carter said:

“This is a fun but illuminating way of looking at the problems and prejudice many older people face trying to get work. It’s a genuine experiment, and contrary to conventional wisdom, we’re looking forward to seeing old dogs learn new tricks.”
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