I thought we elected the queen and David Cameron was her toyboy before Newsjack!
Newsjack - Series 5 Page 43
Hi, long time reader, first time poster, just looking for a bit of advice really.
Been writing sketches for the last two series of Newsjack (got on 4 times last series but no luck on this one so far) and last week submitted one featuring a character called Jonathan Foetus. So I'm listening to this week's episode and there's a character in a sketch called Quentin Foetus (and it gets quite a big laugh) - now of course, this could just be a coincidence, but it does feel a little bit awry to me, so, firstly does anyone know if someone wrote a sketch featuring a character called Quentin Foetus?
If not, does anyone have any advice? I kind of want to contact them but I'm not sure whether it's worth it. I know that similar jokes happen all the time, and that it's not even a joke it's just a name, but it does feel like they've kind of nicked that one from me. So, I guess what I'm asking is should I drop them a line regarding the name's provenance or just not rock the boat and chalk it up to experience?
Seriously, I've just thought up my best news one-liner ever. I'm so pleased with it, I'm going to send it to NJ on its own. If this one doesn't make it, I'm quitting.
Quote: JezG @ October 1 2011, 11:06 AM BSTHi, long time reader, first time poster, just looking for a bit of advice really.
Been writing sketches for the last two series of Newsjack (got on 4 times last series but no luck on this one so far) and last week submitted one featuring a character called Jonathan Foetus. So I'm listening to this week's episode and there's a character in a sketch called Quentin Foetus (and it gets quite a big laugh) - now of course, this could just be a coincidence, but it does feel a little bit awry to me, so, firstly does anyone know if someone wrote a sketch featuring a character called Quentin Foetus?
If not, does anyone have any advice? I kind of want to contact them but I'm not sure whether it's worth it. I know that similar jokes happen all the time, and that it's not even a joke it's just a name, but it does feel like they've kind of nicked that one from me. So, I guess what I'm asking is should I drop them a line regarding the name's provenance or just not rock the boat and chalk it up to experience?
No harm in dropping them a polite email. They'll know you're not a chancer because they've used your work before.
Also they read this thread so they'll already be aware of your question!
not sure you should bother - what do you really want to get out of it? It's a name in a sketch and if anything it's just a surname....at the very very best you'd get a writing credit and wouldn't you rather be credited for something actually worthwhile? Seems a bit pointless to me.
Quote: JezG @ October 1 2011, 11:06 AM BSTSo, I guess what I'm asking is should I drop them a line regarding the name's provenance or just not rock the boat and chalk it up to experience?
The latter.
Or do what they say, but to be honest I don't think it's a big deal either way
Cheers for the advice - guess I'll let it lie. You're right, it's no biggie - just smarts a bit that someone else is getting a laugh off something that's (probably) your material.
Quote: JezG @ October 1 2011, 7:15 PM BSTjust smarts a bit that someone else is getting a laugh off something that's (probably) your material.
You can't lay claim to one word, on its own, as being 'your material'. That's mental.
Besides, the surname 'Foetus' is hardly original. Just watch Dragons' Den. One of the guys on there is called Theo Pa Foetus.
You can't lay claim to one word, on its own, as being 'your material'. That's mental.
I don't know about mental, but thinking there's anything untoward is certainly incorrect and not helpful for you. A good piece of advice I once got when grousing about the industry was "wait till you have a proper reason to feel bitter - and even then, resist if you can!"
What's the Newsjack theme music based on? It's really reminding me of something, something that goes 'one two three four' and then I can't think of the rest...
Can I ask a question to everyone?
Do you generally go for more popular stories as you know that audiences will recognise them or obscure ones, in hopes of being more original?
For example last week I wrote a sketch about The Doctor taking revenge on Vernon Kay for tweeting about Family Fortunes beating Doctor Who in the ratings (it involved sending Tess Daly back to prehistoric Barnsley!) but do you think that kind of thing is too random?
Quote: amarsandhu @ October 2 2011, 12:01 PM BSTCan I ask a question to everyone?
Do you generally go for more popular stories as you know that audiences will recognise them or obscure ones, in hopes of being more original?
For example last week I wrote a sketch about The Doctor taking revenge on Vernon Kay for tweeting about Family Fortunes beating Doctor Who in the ratings (it involved sending Tess Daly back to prehistoric Barnsley!) but do you think that kind of thing is too random?
Who knows?! There has been much debate over some great stuff being left out, and points about style and length and tone as well as luck. Just write whatever you think is funny and enjoy, and keep your fingers crossed 
I think that's sound advice AJGO. I do find it hard to make myself laugh sometimes though....
Well, send those in too- several people have had their least-liked pieces chosen!