On the Thrift Day of Christmas...

Bill sits on his sofa, watching a money saving tips TV show.

TV Presenter: Why not use old newspapers for wrapping your presents this Christmas? Not only is it a lot cheaper, it's echo friendly too!

Bill nods as he takes the idea on board.

Christmas Day...

Bill and his family (wife, daughter, grandpa) are exchanging gifts. He hands his wife her gift.

Wife: Thanks Bill... Interesting wrapping paper...

Grandad: Sex Offence Santa still at large.

Wife: Sorry?

Grandad: The headline on that wrapping paper.

Wife: Oh Bill...

Daughter: What's a Sex offender?

Wife: (frowning at Bill) Nothing dear! Here, open your present from your dad.

She scans the headlines before passing it to her. The daughter tears open the newspaper, it's a white dressing gown. Bill's wife smiles at him in approval.

Daughter: Awwh mum! What are all these fingerprints on it?

Wife: I don't know... (She examines closer) it's newspaper print!

She frowns again at Bill.

Smoke pours from the kitchen, they all run in to see what's burning.

Moments later...

They all crowd around a singed turkey and watch the remains of a page 3 girl photo burn away.

Bill: It worked for the presents so I thought...

Wife: It didn't work with the presents!

THE END

I quite like this, Lee, but the ending lets it down. A bit of a 'non ending' where I think you would do better with some sort of closure and/or twist.

Thanks Ben. If only I could think of something!

I think you're underselling it, from the intro where you pointlessly introduce the maguffin and use hammy directions.
I mean he takes the idea in, does a light bulb appear above his head whilst he rubs his chin.
And it's just not that wild an idea, wrapping presents with newspaper.
Before moving onto a continuation punchline which doesn't really change anything much.
I think you need to think of some way to accelerate it.

I like it Lee. You did the effect the newspaper had on the grandad and daughter, perhaps you could have put something for the mum? I don't think the turkey part works as it could do with a gear change of some sort...maybe he could have done something completely bonkers like try to cook the turkey using fairy lights??

I liked the unfestive headlines idea; I would have run with that more.

Quote: Tursiops @ 23rd December 2013, 8:34 PM GMT

I liked the unfestive headlines idea; I would have run with that more.

View original

That was my original idea. Newspaper wrapping, horrible headlines. But then I thought I had better write a sketch around it.

Thanks y'all.