Should I still do it?

I have what I think is a great idea for a sitcom and have been brainstorming and getting ideas together ready to write it.

Was just searching Google to try and get some ideas and stumbled across a pretty similar sitcom that ran for one series on bbc one in 2001.

Is this so obscure it doesn't matter? its not like I'm writing a documentary set in an office or a couple of brothers trying to make their million.

Basically will it be rejected because people will think its been "done".

I don't really want to reveal my idea (although aaron will probably work it out from the clues) but what do you think?

Hmm, without revealing the idea it is hard to say. It depends how similar it is? If the entire sitcom premise is the same then it might be a bad idea, but if it is just similar in parts, as long as you add an original twist to it then it should be fine.

It also depends how you feel though? Personally, I hate it when I find out that an idea or a joke has been done before and even if mine is a variation on it, it just bugs me so much that I have to scrap it and start afresh.

Quote: Tom G @ March 26 2009, 10:10 PM GMT

I have what I think is a great idea for a sitcom and have been brainstorming and getting ideas together ready to write it.

Was just searching Google to try and get some ideas and stumbled across a pretty similar sitcom that ran for one series on bbc one in 2001.

Is this so obscure it doesn't matter? its not like I'm writing a documentary set in an office or a couple of brothers trying to make their million.

Basically will it be rejected because people will think its been "done".

I don't really want to reveal my idea (although aaron will probably work it out from the clues) but what do you think?

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No.

Possibly not. It depends on how similar it was; the setting, for instance, or most of the content.

I had a sitcom set in an NCP carpark turned down because it had already been done, plus the series was a massive failure.

It is mainly the setting. the lead character in the original was more of a blackadder style monster whereas I intend to go for the more lovable rogue.

I think most settings must have been done by now in some for or another.

Quote: Lee Henman @ March 26 2009, 10:40 PM GMT

I had a sitcom set in an NCP carpark turned down because it had already been done, plus the series was a massive failure.

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See, if you had made this a PC car park you would have been contemporary and commissioned!

Ok Marc we get it!

Quote: Marc P @ March 26 2009, 10:47 PM GMT

See, if you had made this a PC car park you would have been contemporary and commissioned!

See, if you had made this a PC car park you would have been contemporary and commissioned!

See, if you had made this a PC car park you would have been contemporary and commissioned!

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Christ, it's like watching BBC Three.

Quote: Graham Bandage @ March 26 2009, 10:50 PM GMT

Christ, it's like watching BBC Three.

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Stewart Lee is my Hero.

understand this, if you're not 'in' you're not 'in' and will never get a sitcom accepted no matter what you do. If you came up with the greatest idea ever, the powers that be will nick it and say they have already got loads of the same format/idea....get it?

No, definitely not. Our first attempt was a pilot about a rock band, that was rejected because of stuff like the Last Chancers and Guide to Being a Rock Star. Then we had a pilot about a record store, and Basement Tapes was mentioned. In the rejection. It is tough to come up with ideas, so much has been done before. All I can say is keep trying, but don't go with this. If the characters and jokes are strong, though, hang on to them. You never know when they might come in handy.

Quote: bushbaby @ March 26 2009, 10:57 PM GMT

understand this, if you're not 'in' you're not 'in' and will never get a sitcom accepted no matter what you do. If you came up with the greatest idea ever, the powers that be will nick it and say they have already got loads of the same format/idea....get it?

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Nobody ever comes up with the greatest idea ever in a sitcom BB, that is not what they are about.

Quote: Marc P @ March 26 2009, 11:10 PM GMT

Nobody ever comes up with the greatest idea ever in a sitcom BB, that is not what they are about.

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Whats a BB?

I understand your points and its what I thought but its hard to let go of something you thought was good! And at the end of the day Coupling was similar to friends. Inbetweeners could be likened to the young ones. hyperdrive to red dwarf. If its good, its good!

BB was to BushBaby! I agree with you.