Did anyone see Shoot The Writers on tv last year? It's an ITV1 program that shows sketches written by the viewers.
There's no news as to whether there will be a third series yet, but you can join the STW mailing list on their site: http://shootthewriters.com/
I watched some of it, but I'm afraid that it made me want to do just that. There must be much better stuff that they're not putting on! 
It was watching that show that got me started with comedy writing, or to be more precise, thinking that I could write better sketches myself.
I've got some sketches that I'll submit if a third series is announced, but I am starting to doubt that there will be one now that The Mint and Quizmania are shown after midnight.
I watched - it was a shame it was on so late. I wonder how the winners are getting on?
The Slagg Brothers were involved in STW. The second series production was far superior to the first. Yes, there were many old pub jokes that lazy writers had converted into sketches (Who can forget the appearance of 'the blind man' pub joke). But saying that, i want to thank Colin Bennett (Tony Hart's Landlord) for doing something few TV people do these days and give nobodies a crack at TV.
The Slaggies found it to be beneficial experience:
1) It gave us a vital first 'in' onto TV
2) It disproved the notion that there are millions of great writers struggling for a few opportunites
3) It introduced us to a small ring of serious scriptwriters from whom we learned and received support
4) The paucity of talent meant that a few writers stood out head-and-shoulders and they've since gone on to writing on TV and Radio shows. I take my hat off to them
5) The STW show pulled in so many visitors to our website and through that, brought some interesting opportunities to us
As a side note: The Slaggies thought laterally with STW. They asked us to do a video intro listing name, location, age etc. We thought that personal detail was instantly forgetable and only of interest to the writers and their family and friends, not the viewers. So we constructed a pop-art intro and filled it with overt / covert images. Our intention was always to win the show (we didn't) but we determined that from our brief exposure people would remember the Slagg 'brand'. 18 months on and I still get email from a guy who is adamant that our approach failed to make us memorable.
You can see the 2 intros on our Video page, and decide for yourselves, at: www.welshwriters.org.uk/slaggbrothers
Thanks for your time
SlagA
______________________________________________________________ www.welshwriters.org.uk/slaggbrothers - Anarchic Welsh writers www.welshwriters.org.uk/ajdesmond - a new Sci-fi / Humour writer
Somebody reminded me of this show on another thread. I'm glad the Slaggs found it beneficial but my word it was awful TV. I remember sat watching it, mouth agape at the amateurishness. The thing that sticks in my mind most was the feeble studio audience laughter, being always bolstered by one over-enthusiastic rent-a-laugh - probably the producer. Obviously the show had been made on about 14p but Jesus Christ.
Anyway, the one good thing to come out of it is that it obviously inspired fledgling writers to forge ahead with their writing career.
I submitted to and was broadcast in the first series and yes it was absolutely terrible and amatuerish. I can only speak from my own experience but my sketches were rewriten by the production team to fit the show's budget and what I considered to be the comedy in them was completely taken out and my name was attached to, in my opinion substandard material.
The whole experience was very disappointing and I didn't bother to submit to the seecond series. I doubt there will be a third series, but if there were I would probably submit again now I'm older and wiser...
I used to like it, it gave me hope. Hope that if this shite could get on telly, I'd have no problem. Seriously though, it was nice to see the beginnings of future talent in action.
I found this sketch on YouTube earlier which I thought was a good idea AND from Shoot The Writers. The YouTube comments are rather funny too:
Quote: Ben @ July 15 2009, 1:32 PM BSTI found this sketch on YouTube earlier which I thought was a good idea AND from Shoot The Writers. The YouTube comments are rather funny too:
Forgiving the production values, that wasn't a bad sketch.
It actually wasn't a bad show. A number of the actors have gone on to bigger, better things. And it allowed a lot of people to get sketches on TV. Me included. Plus it was unique amongst sketch shows in that it would happily feature bare breasted women. 
What I saw of it was dreadfully poor.
Quote: chipolata @ July 15 2009, 2:08 PM BSTAnd it allowed a lot of people to get sketches on TV. Me included.
Link?
Quote: chipolata @ July 15 2009, 2:08 PM BSTPlus it was unique amongst sketch shows in that it would happily feature bare breasted women.
Any chance it got 
And they were all sexy studenty types in their late teens early 20s 
Quote: David Bussell @ July 15 2009, 2:10 PM BSTLink?
Like I'd expose anything of mine to Bussell Vision!
(Although if the shows are on YouTube I might try and see if I can see my stuff. For old times sake)