Using bad language

Hi people. I'm writing my first script, a TV sitcom based on a rough council estate in the North East. I'm only on my first draft and having a long of fun with it and I can see already where I'm going to edit parts and I've got lots of ideas spinning around in my head as to what's gonna happen later on in the show. The only problem I'm having is how much swearing to put in. I tend to swear every other word myself but this will be too much for a TV show. I've steered clear of the "C***" word but using plenty of "F**k". And opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

thanks Griff! It might takes the humour out of some of the jokes but I'll see how I can change it and still get the same(ish) effect! Cheers again pal!

Just replace 'F**k' with 'Fudge'.

if your using it just for the sake of crowbarring a rude word in then its not right if your character is an East End villian then his not gonna say,
"OMG theyve got guns, pass me the flaming glock", although EastEnders would but they know how I feel via their complaints webpage !

What's the tone of the script? Is it quite gritty / realistic? Would your storylines better suit a post watershed slot anyway? If so, let them swear if it fits the character. Look at Shameless. It wouldn't be half as good if they were all walking around saying "flipping heck". So my advise would be not to be scared of including swearing as long as it reinforces who your characters are. If it feels true, producers won't mind.

Don't forget though, not everyone on dodgy council estates swear like troopers - I was brought up on one, and my Mum never swore for instance. Dad did, but in moderation. Whereas the neighbours swore like bastards. It's all about staying true to the character you're writing. If they're all constantly cussing their heads off you'll lose impact very quickly. But if you mix it up, it'll feel more real.

Hope that helps.

Big Mary the prostitute,"Fancy a fudge love"

hahaha! It's just I feel it's necessary to have at least some swearing since it's based on a rough council estate in the North East. Giving that I live on one and the script is loosely based on my life (the jokes are real but characters are exaggerated) I feel that it's more 'real'.

Quote: Anthony Richardson @ March 10 2011, 9:32 AM GMT

hahaha! It's just I feel it's necessary to have at least some swearing since it's based on a rough council estate in the North East. Giving that I live on one and the script is loosely based on my life (the jokes are real but characters are exaggerated) I feel that it's more 'real'.

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There's your answer then.

thanks Lee! Helps a lot mate

Where abouts are you from, like?

Somewhere on the BBC Writersroom blog, this subject came up. The Beeb said, "Swearing is fine as long as it's editorially (have I spelt that right?) relevant to the plot/situation/whatever."

The F word is good when there is, for example, conflict, but swearing just for the sake of swearing isn't clever, and would just give another reason for the Powers That Be to reject your script.

This depends on circumstances, off course, but the first time I meet a person I don't swear and I think that's worth considering on a first sitcom script. We all know people swear and we assume people in certain occupations swear all the time but, to me, the point of comedy is to be cleverer than that. We know people go to the toilet but we don't need to see that. However much TV may try to show us.
In the initial post Dicksplash...was it he/she? I don't know how to go back and look without losing this - important message that it is...er, where was I. In the initial post Dicksplash said if he left out the F word it made some of the jokes less funny. I'm sorry?

In the initial post Dicksplash...was it he/she? I don't know how to go back and look without losing this - important message that it is...er, where was I. In the initial post Dicksplash said if he left out the F word it made some of the jokes less funny. I'm sorry?

Buddy I didnt say this ???

You're right, Dicksplash, nobody did. My apologies. It's my quick read, reactionary brain at work as usual. Anthony said, in response to another person that he'd try to go easy on the swearing but that might take the humour out of some gags. Something like that.
And I was trying to make the point that if the expletive makes the joke you're on the road to nowhere.
It's the Frankie Howerd thing - write the gags, make them funny I'll add the oohs and ahhs...or the profanity.
Anyway, I'm sorry for crediting the remark to you, Dicksplash.

Anyway, I'm sorry for crediting the remark to you, Dicksplash.[/quote]
Thank f**k for that.