Mike X, I submitted for the first time (having listened since the Miles Jupp days!) last September and got a 'nearly in' email. From that I got invited to the writer's briefing in January. I got nowhere this series, despite avoiding Trump and Brexit, and using every Sunday as my writing day; as suggested at the meeting. So I am obviously in the 'not funny' segment on the pie chart! (It is a great way to get motivated to write though, so looking forward to September!) It looked like almost everyone at the writer's meeting did get on at some point but they invite the 'almost made it' people too.
Don't worry if you do not get invited as they do update the website before the series begins with the tips they share at the writer's meeting. In fact, the notes Adnan sent round after the briefing are almost verbatim what is on the website. Apart from the chuffed-ness of being invited and being inspired by the producers, contract writer's and Angela, you don't get any secret information.
