British Comedy Guide

Da Daaaa Daa Daaaaaaaa

Following the roaring success of my first contribution. Here's another scene based on similar characters that I'm developing.

I don't know if there's a reference in there that has been used before. If so, I apologise. I don't even know if it's necessarily funny. Let me know.

Cheers

Chris

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Two guys sitting in an office. 1 is an absolute tool. 2 is a normal guy, whose just about had enough of the sort of stuff that 1 constantly comes out with.
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1
" Don't you think it's spooky that they've never done a 'This is your life' for Michael Aspel?"

2
"Actually, I'm pretty sure they have. Even if they hadn't I can't imagine in what respect it would be spooky."

1
"They have, have they? Oooh. How ironic."

2
"No. Not ironic at all. If they hadn't have, you could have maybe said that it would have been ironic. But they have done. "

1
"Still. It's a bit strange."

2
"It's not strange. If I had to use one word that did describe Michael Aspel's own 'This is you life' it would be inevitable. I suspect after the first series, he'd have thought to himself, 'This will happen to me one day.' Let alone after 15 years…"

1 (Interrupting)
"I love that show. Did you see it last week? I think they had the prime minister on it?"

2
"The show hasn't run for years."

1
"Don't be silly. I'm watching it now."
(Turns screen to number 2)

2
"That's coverage of this year's budget."

1
"Oh yeah. It is. They are more or less the same thing though aren't they? A big red book. Guy with grey hair?"

2
"What do you mean they are same? One is a complex, carefully worked financial strategy, encompassing many an intricate equation designed to see the UK's economy through the coming financial year. The other is a sentimental journey, come love in, glossing over the ups and downs of a minor personality's life within show business.
If I wanted to pick two shows that were polar opposites; it would be the coverage of the budget and an episode of 'This is your life.'

1 (Flippantly)
"Well, you know what they say, opposites attract."

2 (Getting annoyed)
"What does that mean? That means nothing. You can't dismiss facts by chucking proverbs around."

1 (Taking no notice. And firmly believing he's on to something.)
"Do you know what I'd love to see?"

2 (Exasperated)
"No."

1
"This is really funny. You'll like this. It's a bit out there. Like you.
Michael Aspel as an air steward. Demonstrating the safety manual. Do you know what it's called? (pauses) This is your…"

2 (With no conviction)
…life jacket?"

1(Excitedly)
"BRILLIANT! I was thinking 'This is your (pauses)…captain speaking.' But that's even better."

2
"He's not the cap…"

1 (Again, interrupting)
"Could you imagine it? (Does 'this is your life' music over the Tanoy) Fasten your seat-belts please. Exits are here, here and here. If the planes starts to descend at speed, shall we go higher or lower? (Bruce Forsyth) Higher? Higher? Higher…"

2
"Have you even ever seen 'This is you life?'"

1
"Of course. I download the podcast. Look."

Shows 1 an I-pod with Michael Parkinson interviewing Rod Hull and Emu.

1
"Ooooo. I really hate that Orville."

2
"I really f**king hate you."

For what it is, some standalone dialgogue that will hopefully be part of something larger I thought it was really good. Naturalistic and funny, with both characters well defined early on. The 'tool' was maybe a tiny bit too thick for me but that's minor. I didn't pick up on any reference I'd heard before so can't comment there. It struck me a little like Tim and Gareth's banter in the office but that's in a good way. I thought it was very nice.

Cheers man. Maybe he is a bit too thick, if the character was established though, you could possibly get away with this.

But thanks again...

The dialogue is very good, really feels like two unfortunate friends talking to each other, the stupidity/naivity of the guy is funny. Only thing that might be against it is the subject matter.. This is Your Life etc is a bit old hat. Personally I base my entire life on old british TV, but there's some funny buggers out there that don't.

Cheers.

I could use TIYL being out of date to my advantage though...

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