Empire Ignite! I get it! 
Does anyone fancy writing a joint sketch on here? Page 11
Quote: don rushmore @ April 14 2009, 2:47 PM BSTAs for the winning sketch, I found it quite poor. All you have done , essentially, is find a novel way to recycle classic comedy material. Most of the laughs come from gags that you didn't actually write.
You have high comedy ideals Don. And no idea. If it's funny, and it was, it doesn't matter that it was the re-working of old material. The bottom line is does it work, yes it does. End of.
Strangely enough the Beeb don't mind showing repeats of comedy programmes that go over EXACTLY the same lines again and again. Certain TV stations have grown up doing it. So re-working old material, absolutely legit. Every time Del Boy falls through that bar flap, people laugh. We actually took it and put it somewhere else.
Quote: roscoff @ April 16 2009, 12:53 AM BSTEvery time Del Boy falls through that bar flap, people laugh. We actually took it and put it somewhere else.
I loved what Empire Ignite did with that bit. It was a thing of beauty for me. Made me lol.
Let's get started then...
We need two volunteers to start with their idea or a half written sketch. Personally, I'd prefer to do two different sketches this time! But we could start with a similar theme if that's what people want.
I also think it might be an idea if two people could say early on if they're happy to finish and edit a script at the end? Only because some of us are reluctant to make too many cuts at that point.
Then say for example RobO starts one - as soon as he's ready he checks on here to see who's around to pick it up and carry on, rather than have the teams and order of writing set in advance.
I think between 5 and 8 is enough writers and then it goes to one of the editors. Or if no-one volunteers on that front it's whoever's left with it!
If that sounds OK - who's ready to start?
*raises hand*
Me, me....
Similar theme but different directions, sounds like a plan.
Edit: I didn't want to spark the idea or indeed be the last writer, however, I do have quite a good and somewhat original (attaches dartboard to chest) idea for a sketch.
I'm up for it but won't be able to contribute till tomorrow night
Maybe we could do it like the Apprentice with some one being humiliatingly fired from each team each week?
I bet Alan "Love" Sugar would agree to judge.
May I suggest we go in an anonymous order and then people will be less worried about editing others jokes out?
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Quote: roscoff @ April 16 2009, 12:53 AM BSTYou have high comedy ideals Don. And no idea. If it's funny, and it was, it doesn't matter that it was the re-working of old material. The bottom line is does it work, yes it does. End of.
Strangely enough the Beeb don't mind showing repeats of comedy programmes that go over EXACTLY the same lines again and again. Certain TV stations have grown up doing it. So re-working old material, absolutely legit. Every time Del Boy falls through that bar flap, people laugh. We actually took it and put it somewhere else.
As you well know, roscoff: comedy is subjective - often what one person loves, another person hates. You found your sketch funny, I did not. Simple as that.
The BBC often show repeats because it is far cheaper (and often less risky) than commissioning a new show.
I didn't at any point claim that your sketch wasn't legit, but just that I found it to be quite easy - there were seven writers involved, after all - and hardly any new material. In my opinion, the concept was lazy - create a character and then have him read out classic comedy lines.
If you post in Critique and get praise, brilliant. But, if you receive criticism, it really won't do you any good throwing your toys out of the pram.
You need a thick skin in this industry - if you haven't got one, perhaps you would be better off doing something else.
And, by the way, I saw "your" sketch performed at Edinburgh almost verbatim a few years ago.
Quote: don rushmore @ April 16 2009, 11:11 AM BSTThe BBC often show repeats because it is far cheaper (and often less risky) than commissioning a new show.
I don't think that was the point. I think he was trying to say that people can laugh at hearing the same thing for a second, third, etc time. That's why people buy comedy DVDs.
Quote: don rushmore @ April 16 2009, 11:11 AM BSTI didn't at any point claim that your sketch wasn't legit, but just that I found it to be quite easy - there were seven writers involved, after all - and hardly any new material. In my opinion, the concept was lazy - create a character and then have him read out classic comedy lines.
I think you missed the joke of the sketch. It wasn't 'copying' lines or getting jokes from a previous joke in a literal way.
Quote: don rushmore @ April 16 2009, 11:11 AM BSTAnd, by the way, I saw "your" sketch performed at Edinburgh almost verbatim a few years ago.
Funnily enough I had a similar sketch (though not about comedy) shown in Edinburgh a few years ago.
I think both sketches were an example of what I'd call reframing. Taking well known material and puting it in a fresh setting for a diferent laugh.
It's actually quite tricky to do. Common examples include the 4 Yorskshiremen and moire recently on the Stuart Lee Program the apple sketch that reframed the Parrot sketch.
The trick isn't to sound like imitation. I don't think of these did.
Much as I respect your opinon Don I don't think you got how they work.
Hang on a minute lets not all go jumping on Don before we get all the facts first!
What is your job in TV by the way Don?
Marc P - The voice of reason
Quote: Marc P @ April 16 2009, 11:22 AM BSTHang on a minute lets not all go jumping on Don before we get all the facts first!
What is your job in TV by the way Don?
Can the majority of us go jumping?