British Comedy Guide

Exam Success

“EXAM SUCCESS” (Radio)

DAD:
Right Charlie, remember what we told you. You’ll get two percent more in today’s exams if you tell them your pet rabbit’s died.

CHARLIE:
But I don’t have a pet rabbit.

DAD:
Well, look, your mum and I have talked about it, and guess what’s in this box… da da!

CHARLIE:
Wow! Can I call him Thumper?

DAD:
If you like.

F/X: BANG OF GUN. CHARLIE CRIES

CHARLIE:
That’s so unfair! So unfair!

DAD:
That’s not quite all, I’m afraid. You get another five percent if a parent dies. So your mother won’t be driving you to school this morning, Charlie.

CHARLIE:
(Through tears) Why?

DAD:
She’s, er… she’s in the garden. Having a lie down. In a bin bag. Right. Erm, Charlie, what are you doing with daddy’s gun? Daddy needs to throw that in the river.

F/X: BANG OF GUN

CHARLIE:
Now… five percent, plus another five percent, plus two percent, equals... fifty-five point two percent? No, I don’t think that’s right. Gosh, it’s a good thing it’s my maths exam today!

ENDS

Possible follow-up:

TEACHER:
Charlie, I’m afraid despite the really awful week you must have had, you only scored twelve percent on the maths test… Charlie? What are doing?

F/X: BANG OF GUN
ENDS

It's not bad, but it's not really Tilt is it?

Also needs more of a twist in that final punch.

Quote: sootyj @ April 21 2008, 10:01 PM BST

It's not bad, but it's not really Tilt is it?

Also needs more of a twist in that final punch.

WTF is Tilt then?
It does seem a bit of a rag-bag to be fair. I mean - that News For the Under Twos, WTF is THAT all about?! Seems to me like a pretty poor one-trick pony of a sketch sketch that gets one laugh from the kinderised (!) news theme. But the producer loved it so much to call the writers back and make 'em write a bunch of 'em. Sometimes comedy is baffling.

It does need a better punch. I have noticed quite a lot of the sketches on Tilt don't finish strongly; it is difficult writing a punch. It's my weakest point, I reckon.

Er I'll probably discuss on PM, or after it's finished. Ultimately Tilt is Tilt, and what ever the producers/actors/readers choose. Personally I prefer my humour more biting, and dark. But HIGNY is quite chummy now, and Heads don't get me started on that.

Well, I'm sure they read this board, but I'm not going to be coy. It is what it is. Comedy is subjective. We all know sketch shows are hit-and-miss. "At the end of the day" (and that phrase actually doesn't irritate me) what will be will be and what they find funny will go in. I've no problem with that, I'm just happy they've opened the doors.

I thought this was ok,agree that it needs a twist - I've listened to 2 Tilt editions and that particular under two news thing didnt deserve to be a running joke. Laziness on the part of the producers.

I'm must be going soft JW - I liked that.

I'll come across all crotchety now - I hate a lot of sketch radio too, but that would have done it for me. The bin big line made me chuckle.

Me and JW are now best friends.

Is Tilt all topical? That sketch, in terms of hilarity, was better than bits I heard.

A year ago your sketch would have been topical, of course, after that whole business of extra marks came out.

Quote: Seefacts @ April 21 2008, 10:39 PM BST

Me and JW are now best friends.

Ha ha ha,
the funny thing is, I bet we'd have a real chuckle outside of the board in Real Life, where different social norms apply.

F**k me, I sound like that freaky over-friendly guy in Extras now.

Quote: James Williams @ April 21 2008, 10:42 PM BST

Ha ha ha,
the funny thing is, I bet we'd have a real chuckle outside of the board in Real Life, where different social norms apply.

No, I'm such a dick in real life.

Quote: Seefacts @ April 21 2008, 10:39 PM BST

Is Tilt all topical? That sketch, in terms of hilarity, was better than bits I heard.

A year ago your sketch would have been topical, of course, after that whole business of extra marks came out.

It seems an odd mix; it's non-topical (or at least political) where it can get away with it. Which makes it appeal to a wider audience, I suppose - nothing wrong with that.

This story itself is topical: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7355973.stm

Quote: James Williams @ April 21 2008, 10:46 PM BST

It seems an odd mix; it's non-topical (or at least political) where it can get away with it. Which makes it appeal to a wider audience, I suppose - nothing wrong with that.

This story itself is topical: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7355973.stm

Ah, so the story is back in the news, then. I see.

I really liked this. Topical and with nice gags - just what Tilt should be looking for, I think?

I think you have the right punch, just simplify it a bit. The kid's sentence is too long. He only really needs to say he could do with another 5% as well, doesn't he?

Anyway, nice sketch, I look forward to hearing it.

A rather enjoyed this, James. Great radio.

Why don't these people writing radio sketches record them? It's a piece of piss to bash out a few radio sketches, surely.

Maybe I'm being naive?

James has recorded some video before. You're right though, he should record this too. You hear me, Williams?

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