A while back I posted the first few bits of a sitcom idea I had, a mock-umentary following the life of a former Big Brother winner. I've only recently got round to adding bits to it and changing a few bits (being a lazy bastard and everything), but I've got the first 10 pages or so here. Any feedback would be much appreciated.
REALITY CHECK
MONTAGE
Various clips of the main character - Simon Mancini - a guy in his mid-to-late twenties, during his time on Big Brother. Clips show him during activities like sunbathing, swimming in the pool, carrying out tasks, cleaning and cooking etc, but all exaggeratedly slowed down to increase 'dramatic effect'.
V/O (during montage)
Two years ago Simon Mancini won £100,000 as the winner of Big Brother. Since then, his life has taken a downturn. A series of poor business investments saw Simon fall into bankruptcy. His misery was further compounded when he filed a lawsuit against his mother, for selling embarrassing stories about him to the media…
Montage shows front pages of a newspaper - with the headline 'BB Simon Wet Bed Until Age 10'. Montage goes back to BB clips, but shows Simon in certain situations - such as failing tasks and arguing with housemates, with close ups on exaggerated looks of despair on Simon's face.
V/O (continuing, again over montage)
…With his family turning against him, the public soon followed suit. His cheeky arrogance that won him hearts in the Big Brother house grew to supersonic levels when he won, and after photos of Simon caught taking a midnight stroll down a country lane favoured by doggers surfaced, public perception of him really plummeted. But what happened next? A documentary crew followed Simon's every move for twelve weeks, to find out what life was like, after his 'reality check'. This is what we found.
END OF MONTAGE. CUT TO:
INT. SIMON'S LIVING ROOM.
SIMON is sitting on a chair in front of the camera, interviewee-style.
SIMON
It was tough. At times it was really tough. The ridicule from the public I felt was particularly harsh. Some of the stories about me in the papers were terrible. Other contestants got headlines like… (thinking off the top of his head) 'Big Bro's Carly visits Africa to look after starving kids'. I could have got a headline like that-
CAMERAMAN (off screen)
Did you go to Africa?
SIMON
Well, no, but that's not the point. The papers could have printed nice stories. 'BB Simon Volunteers in Oxfam', 'Simon Mancini Buys A Coffee For A Tramp', or 'Big Brother's Simon Pleasured Me All Night in Marathon Sex Romp'. But no. I got… (picks up a newspaper just sitting off-screen) 'Simon Mancini Weeps Like Baby During Episode of Pet Rescue'. (Puts newspaper back) And that was from my own mother, so…
CUT TO: INT. SIMON'S HOUSE
F/X: DOORBELL
Simon answers the door. A window cleaner is standing in the doorway. Throughout the exchange the window cleaner casts glances at the camera, confused as to why it's being filmed.
WINDOW CLEANER
Hey, we've come to do your windows.
SIMON
Cheers, still forty pounds yeah? I'll have to pop upstairs and have a look to see if I've got the money.
WINDOW CLEANER
If you can't afford it again this month we can come back next-
SIMON
No no no I've got the money, (looking at the camera) I can afford it.
CAMERAMAN
Isn't forty pounds a lot of money to pay to have your windows cleaned?
The window cleaner looks slightly nervous.
SIMON (to camera)
It's not like they earn that much anyway, so I'm helping them out in a way-
WINDOW CLEANER
We earn more than you think actually.
SIMON
Yeah, well, there are two types of people in this world: those who clean windows, and those who have their windows cleaned. I think it's obvious which group each of us is in.
Simon looks at the camera matter-of-factly. The window cleaner looks at Simon angrily. An awkward silence hangs in the air for a while.
WINDOW CLEANER
Side gate's open, yeah?
SIMON
Yep.
WINDOW CLEANER
Right, see you later. Woof woof.
Simon quickly shuts the front door. He looks at the camera and sighs.
CUT TO: INT. SIMON'S KITCHEN
The camera is peering out behind a pair of curtains, and is filming two window cleaners talking in Simon's back garden.
WINDOW CLEANER 1
He's still paying forty quid for this, what a mug.
WINDOW CLEANER 2
Keep an eye out for any cameras, I'm gonna have a piss in his drain.
CUT TO: INT. SIMON'S BEDROOM
Simon is sitting in a chair in front of a large window, being interviewed.
SIMON
They (motions head to indicate the window cleaners outside) come about once a month. Had a few problems with them in the past about the cost…
(a ladder is propped up against the window behind Simon, and after a few seconds one of the window cleaners appears at the top of the ladder, looking in at the interview. He begins swearing at Simon behind his back)
…but you know, these things happen. They know who's the boss now.
Simon turns around to look outside the window. The window cleaner quickly stops swearing and pretends to be hard at work. Simon turns back to face the camera.
SIMON
See? Mutual respect now. Hard workers.
The window cleaner begins to exaggeratedly mouth the word 'wanker' to Simon behind his back.
CUT TO: INT. SIMON'S LIVING ROOM.
Simon is talking to one of the sound engineers, not knowing he's being filmed.
SIMON
Hey… listen, can I borrow forty quid?
SOUND ENGINEER
You what?
SIMON
Come on, you work for the BBC. Must be paying you a fair bit?
SOUND ENGINEER
I'm only a sound engineer.
SIMON
I'll do you a favour? I'll give you a signed photo of me, you can give it to your daughter or something. It'll make her day.
SOUND ENGINEER
Well, she's not really a fan, sorry.
SIMON
Who does she like?
SOUND ENGINEER
Rihanna.
SIMON
Fair play. Now she is nice. (Sound guy nods in agreement) Gorgeous body… (Simon holds both his hands out in front of his chest) …cracking pair of-
Simon sees the cameraman and realises they are being filmed.
SIMON
-Tits.
Simon and the sound guy stand in silence, looking awkward, realising they've been caught.
SIMON
Just er, me and him there, we were chatting, about his daughter so… (Simon realises what he's said) … no no! Not about her (Simon holds both hands out in front of his chest again) … no not like that…
Simon begins to walk away, embarrassed.
SIMON (nodding in direction of sound engineer)
He'll back me up.
CUT TO: SIMON'S CAR. DAYTIME.
Simon's driving, talking to the camera.
SIMON
I made some poor financial investments which made things rather difficult for me. They could have gone either way, you know, you win some you lose some. You put in the risk, you reap the reward.
CAMERAMAN
Except you didn't.
SIMON
No. Shame.
CAMERAMAN
And what was the business you invested in?
Simon looks at the camera, embarrassingly.
SIMON
It was an invention actually. Recommended to me by my agent.
CAMERAMAN
What was the invention?
SIMON (reluctantly)
It was a solar powered torch.
CAMERAMAN
A solar powered torch?
SIMON
Yes.
CAMERAMAN
A torch powered by sunlight?
Simon looks sheepish and embarrassed.
SIMON
No need to go on about it.
Awkward silence for a short while.
CAMERAMAN
What were you like at school?
SIMON
At school? I was one of the lads. Bit of a joker. Yeah… a popular guy, the one who got the girl, you know? Never had any trouble.
CUT TO: INT. A CLASSROOM.
A middle aged man is sitting at a desk at the front of a classroom being interviewed. A caption at the bottom of the screen reads: 'David Lester - Simon's Tutor'.
DAVID
Simon had some difficulties making friends at school. He wasn't a loner as such, just… well, maybe a bit of a loner. He didn't join in in any social or extra-curricular activities. He kept himself to himself mostly, but there were a few times when we had to intervene when he was being bullied…
CUT TO: SIMON'S CAR. DAYTIME.
SIMON
He said what? No… no there was never any real trouble. It was kids stuff, you know. It wasn't like they were stealing my lunch money… calling me names… (becoming angry) Mr Shorty Bum Chin… drawing tippex penises on my blazer-
Simon stops the car abruptly.
SIMON (angry)
-That bastard Andy Jenkins!
Camera fades to black for a few moments. When we cut back, some time has passed.
CUT TO: SIMON'S CAR. DAYTIME.
Simon comes out of a shop and enters the car holding a chocolate bar and a CD.
SIMON
These will make me feel better.
CAMERAMAN
Is that a Will Young CD?
SIMON (defensive)
He's a good singer!
CAMERAMAN
I'm sure he is. Let us not forget you tried to launch your own singing career too.
SIMON
I had a single, yeah.
CAMERAMAN
Where did it chart?
SIMON
Top forty.
CAMERAMAN
I seem to recall it was number forty.
SIMON
Exactly, top forty. That's all you need to know. I didn't really want to release a single anyway, I was ill advised by my agent. I prefer music to be more…organic. Real music by proper artists. Like The Clash and The Sex Pistols. Not manufactured.
CAMERAMAN
You do realise The Sex Pistols were manufactured and shaped by their manager Malcolm McLaren don't you?
SIMON (looks at the camera, confused)
Aren't you thinking of Take That?
CAMERAMAN
No. And Will Young (picking up CD) is a reality TV show winner don't forget.
SIMON
What have you got against Will Young?
CAMERAMAN
Nothing, it's just you claim to not like manufactured music and Will-
SIMON (interrupting)
Is it because he's gay?
Simon looks at the camera, proud that he is standing up for gay rights.
CAMERAMAN
What?
SIMON
Is it because he's gay?
CAMERAMAN
No of course it isn't.
Simon gets his mobile phone out of his pocket.
SIMON
'Cause I can ring him and tell him that, that is out of order.
CAMERAMAN
You have Will Young's phone number?
SIMON
I can ring his agent and tell her to tell him that.
CUT TO: INT. SIMON'S KITCHEN.
Simon is cooking in the kitchen. His phone rings.
SIMON (picking up phone)
Hello?
Simon begins to adopt a different accent on the phone, turning slightly away from the camera.
SIMON (in fake accent)
Yes this is his agent, how may I help you? …
… Certainly sir, I'll just get him for you.
Simon puts the phone on the counter for a few seconds, then picks it up again, and speaks in his normal voice.
SIMON
Hello, Simon Mancini … (eagerly) Yes I'm free then! I mean… (regaining composure) I'm fairly sure my schedule is clear on those dates yes.
Simon puts his hand over the mouthpiece on the phone and turns to the camera.
SIMON (to camera, smugly)
They want me on a Big Brother Celebrity Soccer Sixes team.
Simon puts the phone back to his ear.
SIMON
Who else is on the team? (nods) Yeah… Yeah… Marco who? Oh the big fairy… (Simon turns sheepishly to the camera, realising what he has just said) … no no he was a fairy Godmother in a… school play…as well as being a…being on Big Brother I mean… yeah, okay, cheers. I'll get back to you, bye.
Simon turns to the camera and waves his phone triumphantly.
SIMON (cheerily)
Something to put in my diary.
Simon flicks through some pages of a very empty looking diary.
SIMON
Oh I must remember I have lunch with Bill Oddie on Wednesday.
CUT TO: INT. SIMON'S KITCHEN. EVENING.
Simon is sitting at his dining table eating dinner.
CAMERAMAN
What are your plans for tonight?
SIMON
Tonight, Michael, I'm going to be…no I'm only kidding. Tonight I'm going to a school reunion.
CAMERAMAN
Will the person who bullied you be there?
SIMON
He didn't…I don't know. Maybe. Probably. He was confirmed on Facebook, so… Try one of my meatballs?
CAMERAMAN
Excuse me?
SIMON (pointing at his plate)
Try one of these, little drops of heaven. Anyone? Come on one of you. You there- (pointing at Producer) -come and try one of these. Come on don't be shy.
The Producer walks forward slowly to try one of Simon's meatballs.
SIMON
No seriously, get a move on or it will get cold.
The Producer eats one of Simon's meatballs.
SIMON
Tasty, huh? Am I right?
PRODUCER
It's not bad.
SIMON
Well, don't say "not bad" if something's good. You don't say "not bad" to someone who's just won a gold medal. You say well done. Congratulations. That's f**king excellent.
PRODUCER (sheepishly)
I've had better.
Simon is visibly angered by this.
SIMON
I'm not hungry any more.
CUT TO: INT. SIMON'S CAR. NIGHT TIME.
SIMON (shrugs)
I should have saved those meatballs. Could have put them in the fridge and had them tomorrow.