Sitcom idea

I like that, it has potential - if that helps??

I think it's a great concept. But... I know Jack Shit. Others on here may have a bigger clue about commissioners and whether they are anti time-travel or historical stuff at the moment. The shadow of Blackadder still looms fairly large on historical sitcom, I guess, no matter what new spin it's given.

But it's a good idea and even if TV sitcom isn't a goer there are other - potentially better - ways in. This kind of thing might be very good Radio 4 sitcom material. Your end-of-series idea about Bush also suggests to me that it might work best of all as a series of short sketches. I don't know how well it could be sustained over a sitcom series, but there is certainly some great sketch potential in there.

Good luck with it. I'm fairly convinced it isn't bollocks.

I think you have an idea for a series of recurring sketches.

A sitcom concept would require something more in the way of character and plot progression.

My initial reaction was the same as Mav24, but on reflection I can see potential around longer storylines, however as Badge says the idea is a much better fit for Radio.

Definately a good idea and definitely best suited to radio. This isn't a bad thing - I've been trying to think up a really good radio idea for years now. Let your imagination run wild!

This is a good idea and I think the PR angle is really good. However check out the following currently in development:

A sitcom project for BBC Three which is currently in development by Baby Cow Productions called 'Brave Young Men'
A new sitcom pilot described as a comedy take on Quantum Leap. Tom Basden will play a school caretaker who has to save the world each week. The caretaker is helped by a civil servant who has travelled back in time.
A pilot episode, which is based around a beer that contains a virus which will wipe out humanity, will be filmed in 2009.

I agree this is a different angle to your PR/Notable historical figures but the general concept of using time travel to fix things is already covered it seems from the above. Should this put you off? I would say no. If you can come up with a good script then carry on (perhaps more experienced people here would advise different?)

Incidently I co-wrote a sitcom that had people who travelled in time to save the world each week and sent it to Baby Cow a year ago. Sadly it appears either Brave Young Men beat us to it or, more likely, our script was just not good enough at that time.

One thing I will mention to you about this type of concept is keeping it sitcom as opposed to more comedy drama. The issue with this topic is that it's all too easy to concetrate the story on outside things as opposed to on the main characters themselves. Another thing to consider is the amount of sets and actors required. If your characters go to a different location each week that is new sets required and more costumes. In these cost conscious times it is something to consider before you plan your concept.

Def.

I think Ponderer's idea is terrific. I don't think it clashes too much with Brave Young Men and Def's idea, because it's about going back in time to do PR work (which is hilarious), not save the world. So my advice to Ponderer would be to make sure that you concentrate on the daft PR aspect of things and make sure that comes across in the title, the treatment, and every bit of communication you have with anyone about selling it.

Agree with others, it would work nicely on radio.

Sounds great to me. Wish I'd thought of it.

Though if I write a script before you do, who thought of it becomes a moot point. So get a move on.

You might want to listen to Old Harry's Game by Andy Hamilton before you start, because I think he did a fair bit of "historical figures who are not like their image" stuff. Be useful to see who he did and how.

A really great sounding concept; but a completely new historical setting each week? Could be pricey, which might put some producers off. Sounds like it could be really funny though!

Great idea, wipe your first post or some one will nick it.

If you set most of it in the present, with them spending 5 minutes in the past with 1 set it could be doable?

Would work as a runner sketch or a radio sitcom as well (which would beat budget problems)

This is a great idea! Write it! (for radio).

Bo.

Yeah It's a great idea.

I wrote a Sitcom about life in the court of Henry VIII but (apart from it being crap) it had too much of a blackadder feel. Which is clealry what historial things would suffer from.

But I think with the modern aspect this will not be a problem.

Quote: sootyj @ January 10 2009, 12:03 PM GMT

Great idea, wipe your first post or some one will nick it.

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Too late. I'm already on page 7 of my first draft.

Definitely forget about television and write it for radio; you'll save yourself a lot of trouble. It can go to TV later if it's successful.

Hi Ponderer. This might seem a bit Bill and Ted but can you not get the comedy you want out of this idea by having some device/machine that brings the figures to you. Then you don't have to worry about countless sets and producers thinking you don't know the first thing about costs etc.

I think it's a great idea though having these targets, especially the winners who write history, revealed to manipulative psychoanalysts such as P.R folk. I was wondering to what end the P.R characters are doing this. Are there motives personal gain? Government objective to improve the appearance of Blighty...?