Well, whilst I do agree that it's probably unlikely there'll be major representation from people above 40 on the scheme, I don't think it's impossible. Equally, I think this:
Quote: chipolata @ April 10 2008, 4:26 PM BSTThe point is this, the BBC establishment will be looking for scripts that appeal to the holy grail 18-35 demographic. So the six that do well, might not neccessarily be the funniest, just the ones that Michael Jacob et all feel will appeal more to the BBC3 audience. For example, if today's BBC was sent Steptoe and Son and Two Pints Of Lager, which do you think they'd pump money into developing?
... is rather harsh. Certainly there's no reason to assume they'd focus on one channel specifically, or that specific demographic (if anything, I'd argue it's the demographic they've got covered best at the moment!). The mentors listed are much broader in range than that (Clement/Le Frenais, Ianucci, hardly prime BBC3 material). You talk as if the only BBC channel that makes comedy is BBC3. As it is, the BBC are sent programmes for a different demographic - The Office and The Thick of It are closer in spirit to Steptoe than 2 Pints, surely?