Ok, here's the shortlist for the Most Inspirational Sitcom Writer of All Time (don't worry if you think I've missed anyone out - there's no changes now I'm sure I had my reasons (*coughs* sorry Ariane Sherine I did actually like the early episodes of TPOL and you're kinda cute, but you didn't make the cut)). Duos count as one.
- Galton/Simpson
- Steven Moffat
- Paul Abbott
- Graham Linehan
- David Renwick
- Curtis/Elton
- Merchant/Gervais
- Armando Iannucci
- Peter Baynham
- Chris Morris
- John Sullivan
- Pegg/Stevenson
- Simon Nye
- Grant/Naylor
- Clement/La Frenais
- Cleese/Booth
- Jay/Lynn
- Pye/Thompson
- Jennifer Saunders
- Carla Lane
- Edmunson/Mayall
- Armstrong/Bain
Everyone gets TWO votes and the one with the most votes gets the status of Most Inspirational British Sitcom Writer of All Time (as voted by wannabe sitcom writers in the UK). I might even post the result to their blog if they are still alive.
Here's the criteria:
- Quantity of portfolio
- Quality of work (and awards won)
- Variety of styles
- Breadth of appeal
- Impact on the future (did it revolutionise sitcom writing? Start it's own sub-genre?)
- Innovation (at the time)
- Timelessness (is their work still being repeated now or, for modern sitcoms, do you still see it being watched ten years from now?)
- Inspiration (whose work inspires you the most in your writing)
Btw - did I say there will be no changes to the shortlist? Cos there won't. (and I'm not going to get into a debate about the people I left out). If there's a draw we'll have a face-off vote.
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Can't believe I'm not going to vote for Moffat (just found out he also wrote Chalk! Loved that show.), but mine go to:
Iannucci and Galton/Simpson
