Are traditional sketch shows dead?

I've noticed that places like the BBC don't accept sketches, nor do some other companies.

Does this mean the traditional common or garden sketch show is dead?

I know here ARE some on TV, but not many.

I'm talking MORE about the "traditional" sketch show, with each different sketch in a different setting, like they had in the 80s.

These days, it seems that the trend is for shows like Catherine Tate who have about 5 or 6 characters that appear in a lot of returning sketches in the same setting.

Is this because the traditional sketch show costs too much to make with different settings?

Just more inacessible.

Try competitions, contacting production companies, broadcasters produce very little of their own stuff.

Or form your own sketch revue, and get noticed.

View broadcasters like any other company.

I mean if I went McDonalds with the Sootyj Super burger they'd escort me from the building.

I'd need to build a reputation as a chef/burger expert, and then maybe they'd approach me.

It's, a long, long journey.

Griff - have you ever had a sketch on TV or radio? (Have I already asked this?) I'm sure someone on this site had a couple of sketches accepted for That Mitchell and Webb Sound/Look.

apart from that mix-up on Crimewatch which my lawyer's advised me not to talk about

I think I remember that one. Was it the crime involving the horse and the large tube of KY?

Seriously though, many moons ago, I used to make up sketches with a mate at school, then I moved on to trying novel writing.

It's only recently that I've tried my hand at TV writing. (sketches/sitcoms/drama)

And...

radio? Hmmm.. never explored that avenue before.

Quote: Griff @ July 29 2008, 2:49 PM BST

I got a sketch on BBC7's Tilt, that's my sole broadcast credit (apart from that mix-up on Crimewatch which my lawyer's advised me not to talk about).

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I told you your sketches are criminal.

It's a better place to start. My inexpert adivce is.

1 Keep writing, then when comps come up, or open talent slots (you'll see them here first), you've got stuff to send in. Do ok a few times and you may get asked back.

2 Check out prodcos of shows you like, and e-mail them see if you can get some one who actually reads scripts. They will or they won't.

3 Write a decent sitcom episode, with a strong first 10 minutes it's tthe usual marker of talent.

4 Read up on the craft, do courses and keep writing generally improve your work.

5 Get your work seen, this maybe easier if you can get it filmed.

6 Go through BBC, and other comissioning sites. You won't be able to send them direct, but it's a great indicator of what they actually want.

TV is CRYING out for sketch shows at the mo.

What writers need (if they wanna write their own TV sketch show, as opposed to just contributing to an existing show) is an edge.... an angle... something different, not just a montage of sketches, but perhaps some kind of running theme.

They are indeed (especially the BBC) looking for sketch shows. The trouble with TV sketch shows is that you tend to have to be involved very early on in a show's development to be likely to be part of the writing team. (This is potentially where I might be soon.)Sketch writing is always a useful writing exercise, but you tend to get your sketches requested based on your other writing work. So whilst I would keep a portfolio of your strongest sketches (with a bit of variety of comedy style), the best route still seems to be plugging away with your sitcom pilots. Sure others will disagree, but I think for TV sketch writing it's mostly true.

I hope traditional sketch shows aren't dead because that's what I'm aiming for! I'm not a big fan of character based sketches at all.

That said, there are quite a few sketch shows on TV of late as has been said previously. I don't think any of them would be suited to my manner of sadistic sillyness though.

I am just hopeless at sketches. Is there a format to follow with them or an easy way of doing them. Someone once told me to think up the punchline first then fit the sketch to it

I tend to think of the scenerio first.

You know.. see something on the news, then think "ooh, I can make a sketch out of that."

Sometimes the punchine comes to me right away, whereas other times I think of the punchline later, once I've started writing it.

There are no "rules" set in stone really.

Quote: Mikey J @ July 29 2008, 6:59 PM BST

What writers need (if they wanna write their own TV sketch show, as opposed to just contributing to an existing show) is an edge.... an angle... something different, not just a montage of sketches, but perhaps some kind of running theme.

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Funny you should say that Mikey. I suggested this very thing to my pals the JunkMales and also The Slagg Bros. and they poo poo'd me back into my hovel to think again! I have thunk again. I still fink there is something in it!

Quote: Griff @ July 31 2008, 6:15 PM BST

I agree with whoever posted above, you're just as likely to get offered sketch writing work off the back of a sitcom pilot.

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This does seem to be the only way in, but I can't help feeling it is a bit arse about face. Sketch writing is both a different skill to sitcom writing and a preparation of it. In the past writers honed their skills writing sketches and then moved on to sitcoms.

Quote: bushbaby @ July 30 2008, 1:08 PM BST

Someone once told me to think up the punchline first then fit the sketch to it

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Terrible advice. The punchline should come as much as a surprise to you as to the audience. If you can see it coming so can they. Except with very short sketches I never know what the punchline is going to be in advance.

Quote: Timbo @ July 31 2008, 8:45 PM BST

This does seem to be the only way in, but I can't help feeling it is a bit arse about face. Sketch writing is both a different skill to sitcom writing and a preparation of it. In the past writers honed their skills writing sketches and then moved on to sitcoms.

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Agree, that used to be the way it worked. But in the old days, writers weren't expected to be performers, which is the current trend in sketch shows. I started out as a sketch writer, but it was hard to attract interest from producers because there are so many sketch writers out there. I agree that sketch writing is a different skill to sitcom, but essentially the ability to write strong and funny characters/dialogue is the same. Sketch is about working jokes from a single idea or character, sitcom more complicated. I only know that the current interest in my sketch work for a potential BBC project had only stemmed from the interest and progress of my sitcom writing.