Doing it with a partner

I've never had much success writing with a partner before, but I kept hearing that two funny heads were better than one for comedy writing, so I asked my boyfriend Steve if he wanted to develop a sitcom with me. He said 'yes!' Maybe if I ask him to marry me it will be that easy too?

So last night we sat down with our laptops, looked at the 'Top 100 Sitcoms' list and talked comedy. I like 'The Office,' he doesn't. He likes 'Friends,' I can't stand it. Alan Partridge makes him uncomfortable, but I think it's the best and cleverest sitcom. At least we both like Father Ted.

Finally we stopped prevaricating and got round to thinking of our situation, characters and storylines. Over seven cans of Stella and a big bowl of microwave popcorn we came up with an outline for our sitcom.

Then we went to bed, made love, lay in each others arms and I was happy. Until Steve said,'It was good working on the sitcom, but even if I won a BAFTA I'd rather be a journalist.'

I love him and want to be with him forever, but really... what a wanker!!!

LOL!

One thing I've learnt about writing anything (sketches, sitcoms, Christmas List) is that you need to spend time analysing the craft, not just watching, but analysing from a writers perspective. People read about rules and think 'I'll make my own rules!' or 'they're not important' but they can really make life so much easier if you work them out/learn them. Some you just have to know.

Don't be put off my your mismatch partnership, it can work in your favour. You both have different angles on comedy but not completely different. Good luck!

Don't despair, because I think you'll find that's almost exactly how Galton & Simpson started.

Quote: Rob B @ December 5, 2007, 5:29 PM

Don't despair, because I think you'll find that's almost exactly how Galton & Simpson started.

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Then we went to bed, made love,and lay in each others arms? I did not know that.

Quote: ContainsNuts @ December 5, 2007, 5:42 PM

Then we went to bed, made love,and lay in each others arms? I did not know that.

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Well obviously its not an exact match. C4 didn't exist back then so they couldn't of watched '100 greatest sitcoms', but apart from that it's dead on!

The best thing about a comedy partner is precisely the 'differences' that you mention, Jo. They'll see something you never saw in a situation. They'll make you laugh by twisting your joke into something better than the original. Difference is what you need in a partner, more than similarity.

The next most important characteristic is being able to be totally blunt, telling the other that their brilliant witticism is shite and heading for the shredder, without it ending in blood, violence or make-up sex. And when you work with SlagB you'd prefer the first two options.

He is my perfect writing partner because there are no crossed words, no dented egos (he has all the ego and I have none is the explanation), writing is the best fun I ever have. And I do mean EVER.

However, a potential spouse might work but it might not. That is much more tricky because you live with them outside of 'writer' mode.

Quote: Rob B @ December 5, 2007, 5:29 PM

Don't despair, because I think you'll find that's almost exactly how Galton & Simpson started.

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You mean they slept together?

The only succesful couple I know who wrote together were Cleese & Booth - and they split up soon afterwards.

Best not to write with someone you love/fancy.

That's knackered me and SlagB up then.

Quote: SlagA @ December 5, 2007, 8:50 PM

That's knackered me and SlagB up then.

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LOL

But you can still get divorced when you've made it.

Quote: David Chapman @ December 5, 2007, 8:31 PM

The only succesful couple I know who wrote together were Cleese & Booth - and they split up soon afterwards.

Best not to write with someone you love/fancy.

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It worked for Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin

Quote: Badge @ December 5, 2007, 10:06 PM

It worked for Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin

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Who?????????

Quote: TootingJo @ December 5, 2007, 4:51 PM

Then we went to bed, made love, lay in each others arms and I was happy.

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The problem here is clearly the 'making love' bit, which is more romantic novel than comedy gold. If you were 'f**king like monkeys' it's funnier and there's more chance of a comedy moment (falling off the bed, carpet burns, someone walking in). You'll soon be in the money with that sort of material; even if it's only You've Been Framed.

Dan

Quote: swerytd @ December 6, 2007, 8:59 AM

The problem here is clearly the 'making love' bit, which is more romantic novel than comedy gold. If you were '------- like monkeys' it's funnier and there's more chance of a comedy moment (falling off the bed, carpet burns, someone walking in). You'll soon be in the money with that sort of material; even if it's only You've Been Framed.

Dan

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2 hours in front of the monkey house in Bristol Zoo and not even an up-skirt!

We'll see how it goes, but it was certainly the first time I've had fun writing with someone else. The night involved a lot of laughs as well as major popcorn and alcohol consumption. I'm a bit scared to look again the stuff we came up with. I think it might only work when accompanied by popcorn and alcohol. :-s