British Comedy Guide

What ITV want Page 3

The trouble with historical sitcom is that you have Blackadder and Dad's Army to compare it with. There hasn't been a good sci-fi sitcom for a while. There was that one with that guy off spaced...

Quote: Simon Stratton @ August 3 2008, 8:48 PM BST

The trouble with historical sitcom is that you have Blackadder and Dad's Army to compare it with. There hasn't been a good sci-fi sitcom for a while. There was that one with that guy off spaced...

Yeah that's the trouble with history... it's set in the past isn't it.

Quote: Marc P @ August 3 2008, 9:07 PM BST

Yeah that's the trouble with history... it's set in the past isn't it.

But Marc - the past is SHIT!

We need stuff aimed at today's youth!! And what do they like? Swears, drugs, shagging, cocks and fannies and jokes about bollocks!

And we all know that if a show doesn't represent what's happening in the real world, no one will watch it!

I might write something about the credit crunch who knifes an asylum seeker.

Quote: Griff @ August 3 2008, 9:17 PM BST

Historical sitcom seems to do OK on Radio Four, they seem to come round quite often (there was that one about Colonial America recently, although that was a bit shit).

Starring and co-written by Andy Hamilton. Not his best, but even third-rate Andy Hamilton is not shit.

Okay a little bit. But Andy was funny.

Quote: Seefacts @ August 3 2008, 9:13 PM BST

We need stuff aimed at today's youth!! And what do they like? Swears, drugs, shagging, cocks and fannies and jokes about bollocks!

Same as Sixties, Seventies, Eighties and Nineties youth then!

What about a sitcom based around the 'eternals' ... hatred, envy, death but with a few nob gags?

Quote: Griff @ August 3 2008, 9:17 PM BST

Historical sitcom seems to do OK on Radio Four, they seem to come round quite often (there was that one about Colonial America recently, although that was a bit shit). Mind you all the listeners to Radio Four can probably remember 1770 like it was yesterday so that might just count as contemporary anyway.

I think I'm going to write my historical ideas up as plays instead. They'll take any old bollocks in the theatre.

Don't get me started on Hut 33. Arrgh. Why?

Quote: Simon Stratton @ August 3 2008, 6:33 PM BST

Same here, although I saw the DVD and would feel uncomfortable buying it - the whole brothel thing is spread over the front cover and it would generate the 'he's buying porn' embarrasment factor.

Really? I feel awkward looking at Stuff or T3 in WHSmith because they have scantily-clad ladies on the front cover, but the only reason I haven't bought Respectable yet is that I recorded it when broadcast.

Quote: Griff @ August 3 2008, 6:55 PM BST

I'm sure Man About The House and On The Buses (and Carry On ?) did movies about going off to the Costa Brava ?

Correct. And don't forget Are You Being Served?.

Quote: Seefacts @ August 3 2008, 6:58 PM BST

Indian call centres have been around for about 5 years, and it's never been tackled. I can't see me liking it, simply because I have no interest whatsoever in the subject matter.

Neither do I. But the pilot was great. Two Pints condenses everything I abhor about society into one show, and yet I still enjoy it.

Quote: Griff @ August 3 2008, 7:01 PM BST

you have to figure out "Why am I using Ancient Greece or 1960s France to tell jokes about relationships when I could be using modern-day Swindon ?"

And then you've answered your own question.

Quote: Griff @ August 3 2008, 9:17 PM BST

Historical sitcom seems to do OK on Radio Four, they seem to come round quite often (there was that one about Colonial America recently, although that was a bit shit). Mind you all the listeners to Radio Four can probably remember 1770 like it was yesterday so that might just count as contemporary anyway.

Revolting People. https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/revolting_people/

I won't bother to hunt it out then.

Quote: Simon Stratton @ August 3 2008, 9:55 PM BST

Don't get me started on Hut 33. Arrgh. Why?

The concept is alright, and there are some great lines (ok, HIGHLY amusing digs at northerners), but series one was only even remotely funny in the final two episodes. (Haven't heard the second series yet.)

Bleak Expectations, however, was f**king fabulous.

It's available on CD I believe. Well worth the purchase. If not, I'm sure it's available online. *cough*

Might buy this to listen to in the car. It's annoying the museum of everything isn't available on CD.

Any other recommendations for radio comedy cds to listen to on car journeys?

Revolting People was terrible.

Does anyone know if ITV have any production companies lined up to deliver the new comedies for 2009? I have written a script that may fit in with what they are looking for but i'm guessing that you can't send it straight to ITV

Send it to companies that have produced comedy for ITV in the past.

Quote: Simon Stratton @ August 4 2008, 11:06 AM BST

Any other recommendations for radio comedy cds to listen to on car journeys?

I liked the bits of Clare in the Community where I wasn't asleep.

It's with Sally Phillips.

As a pseudo social worker I love Clare, very true to life.

Old Harry's Game is my favourite, closely followed by Absolute Power.

If you're into sport, there is nothing funnier than the Fighting Talk podcasts. Perfect for car journeys when I used to spend many, many, many hours on the road.

Dan

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