I am debating. Talent will find a way but you need to promote yourself. It was so pleasing to see BCGers down at The Works the other week- they all seem to be doing really well with their projects and keen to talk about them. (My Boosh story was just advice to not have my big mouth: I am one big heap of network fail.)
But Corden, at least, had been in a tonne of stuff before Gavin & Stacey, right?
Quote: Austin Allegro @ November 30 2009, 2:28 PM GMTTalent will always find a way.
Surely.
I think James Corden and Ruth Jones sent an unsolicited treatment to Stuart Murphy, and that worked out quite well.
Corden and Jones were both established comedy actors: people whose names you'd recognise if they sent you a script or email. But again, I agree, talent will find a way.
Quote: Austin Allegro @ November 30 2009, 2:28 PM GMTI think James Corden and Ruth Jones sent an unsolicited treatment to Stuart Murphy, and that worked out quite well.
But they already knew Stuart Murphy. So they weren't sending the script out 'blind', as it were.
I remember Andrew O'Connor (Chief Executive, Objective Productions) from the 80s; he never gave up trying his hand at everything, including; stand-up, acting, gag-writing, game show devising, et al. With the greatest respect he is a master self-promoter/hustler/networker. In fact the dizzy heights that this man has reached shows what can be achieved. The good news for (comedy) writers is that he is a unique Chief Executive of a comedy-producing TV company; in that he has truly 'been there, done that, worn the tee shirt' - unlike those squatting in Ivory Towers, situated in Wood Lane and Portland Place.
Yes, this is indeed 'Depressing News for Writers' - of a certain ilk.
Quote: Morrace @ November 30 2009, 2:55 PM GMTI remember Andrew O'Connor (Chief Executive, Objective Productions) from the 80s; he never gave up trying his hand at everything, including; stand-up, acting, gag-writing, game show devising, et al. With the greatest respect he is a master self-promoter/hustler/networker. In fact the dizzy heights that this man has reached shows what can be achieved. The good news for (comedy) writers is that he is a unique Chief Executive of a comedy-producing TV company; in that he has truly 'been there, done that, worn the tee shirt' - unlike those squatting in Ivory Towers, situated in Wood Lane and Portland Place.
Without wishing to devalue the man's achievements, which I'm sure are as impressive as you say, it can't have hurt that he's Tom O'Connor's son.
Ultimately, if you are good enough - if you have the ingredients, you will find a way. Everything else is BS.
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ November 30 2009, 2:59 PM GMTWithout wishing to devalue the man's achievements, which I'm sure are as impressive as you say, it can't have hurt that he's Tom O'Connor's son.
If that is the case - in spite of being Tom O'Connor's son. 
Quote: Morrace @ November 30 2009, 3:11 PM GMTIf that is the case - in spite of being Tom O'Connor's son.
He's not, as far as I know. Though I seem to recall him joking about it when he used to present those games shows in days of yore.
But I am Stuart Murphy's nephew.
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ November 30 2009, 3:12 PM GMTBut I am Stuart Murphy's nephew.
I'm Eddie Murphy's nephew.
And it's good new for those of you who enter competitions such as the Sitcom Trials, Sitcommission, and Sitcom Saturday. Not only do they afford the ability to see your work performed and to see what works and what doesn't, but also the ability do the very networking that he encourages.
Quote: swerytd @ November 30 2009, 1:34 PM GMTYeah -- but there's no need to keep 'conveniently' reminding us to f**k off.
And I used to like Talkabout too...
I used to like that too!
Tom O'Connor was my mate's Dad's Maths teacher, before he got into comedy. He also joined a folk group, with my mate's Dad, and a couple of his other students, back in the early '70s. They were asked to reform, and perform on Pebble Mill, back in the '90s, but the other former students weren't interested.
*wishes he was related to Roy Walker in order to get on the comedy gravy train* 
Quote: Austin Allegro @ November 30 2009, 2:28 PM GMTTalent will always find a way.
Yes. it most assuredly will.
Any suggestion to the contrary is nothing but a vicious slur on the integrity of the industry put about by untalented people done out of jobs by the hugely talented offspring of famous and powerful TV stars.
I know talent when I see it.
Richard and Judy's kids?
Marvellous!