The Persuasionists Page 11

Quote: Godot Taxis @ January 19 2010, 12:10 AM GMT

I can't let that go. I can think of two full scripts posted on here that piss all over 'The Persuasionists' with a big dribbly cock: James Harris' King of the Road and Lee Henman's Sun and Surf.

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They posted full scripts?

I looked up James Harris' for Kevin Murphy and it wasn't the whole episode - about 70%. I read the whole of Lee's one. Can't remember if he posted it or emailed me it. Sure he posted it.

People do post full sitcom episodes from time to time. Most people don't because they either don't think they could be improved or they don't care what anyone on here thinks.

I remember reading a bit of one of Henman's sitcoms and thought it had lots of potential. Can't remember the title though. How is ole Mr. Nium doing lately? What does he do with this spare time now?

Quote: Timbo @ January 20 2010, 4:25 PM GMT

To be honest this is something that annoys me - the slating given to the scripts of broadcast sitcoms by would-be-writers whom I am far from sure could do better.

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I don't think anyone should necessarily have to prove that they can write a "better" sitcom script before they are allowed to criticise the weaknesses of others. If this were to be the general rule then there's quite a few producers and commissioners who would have to bite their tongues.

I'm shit at football but I think Liverpool are playing poorly at the moment.

I can't lay eggs, but that omelette I had yesterday was well rubbish.

Quote: Timbo @ January 20 2010, 4:25 PM GMT

To be honest this is something that annoys me - the slating given to the scripts of broadcast sitcoms by would-be-writers whom I am far from sure could do better. (This comment is not intended as an attack on anyone in particular - just as a general observation.)

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To be fair Cap'n Timbo, the criticisms levelled at poorly written scripts by 'wannabe' writers are usually targeted at - poorly written scripts. The kind of badly thought out, plotless, characterless drivel that would get you an instant rejection from Writers Room without even a line of feedback or critique.

I've yet to see a 'wannabe' say: 'Peep Show / Blackadder / The Thick Of It was terribly written, I could have done better!' It's quite the opposite, with embarrassingly lavish praise abounding all over the shop.

The fact that Big Top and The Persuasionnists were systematically ripped apart by 'professional' critics, television comedy fans and wannabe writers is an indication of poorly written shows.

But if you want to believe that not one up and coming comedy writer could have done better and that we've peaked in terms of narrative scripting talent, then by all means, stick to your convictions.