British Comedy Guide

Newsjack - Series 5 Page 44

Quote: amarsandhu @ October 2 2011, 12:01 PM BST

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?

A good rule of thumb is if it's eyecatchingly funny it's in. Each season of News Jack RFTP have had a few mold breaking skits. And the number of skits entered is so hi that even if you match the formula perfectly you'll probably miss.

But the further you stray from the expected norms the more exceptionally funny you have to be get there.

Also your skit idea doesn't sound hugely funny so maybe tell us more or work more on it?

Quote: AJGO @ October 2 2011, 11:50 AM BST

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...

It turned out that I was thinking of Jet 'Are you gonna be my girl'.

Quote: AJGO @ October 2 2011, 12:27 PM BST

Well, send those in too- several people have had their least-liked pieces chosen!

This is true actually because I thought my Prince Phillip gag was my weakest last week but it got in the show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aNIv7h2s5g

best topical show theme tune

Quote: amarsandhu @ October 2 2011, 12:47 PM BST

This is true actually because I thought my Prince Phillip gag was my weakest last week but it got in the show

Mine have all been awful, and haven't been chosen, so stick with whatever it is you're doing :)

Quote: sootyj @ October 2 2011, 12:50 PM BST

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aNIv7h2s5g

best topical show theme tune

Ah, the sound of late 1980s / early 1990s rejection. Nothing like hearing that music with the sinking feeling that they've passed on all my sketches again that week.

I gatecrashed their writers meeting in 1996 to see for myself how slight the chances were of any of the proletariat breaking through the glass ceiling back then. It was reassuring that they weren't just targeting me.

I'm in with three again. Two are interviews though so I'm not holding out too much hope.

Sent in three sketches: one interview, one isn't an interview, and one is a Newsjack Film.

I've also gone with a movie trailer. I think every man and his dog cat will have had the same idea though :)

One sketch, for some reason I really struggle with volume. This is annoying me, I now have one hour to write something new. Must get two sketches in!!

Quote: comedyoflife @ October 3 2011, 10:45 AM BST

One sketch, for some reason I really struggle with volume. This is annoying me, I now have one hour to write something new. Must get two sketches in!!

There's definitely something that could be done with this story:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3849345/BBC-ad-deal-row-on-320-anoraks.html

Good luck.

thanks for that - great story! always slightly concerned about being controversial with the beeb on the beeb - There was definatly an angle about product placement on radio though, just didn't have time to think it through.

Got two sketches off - the first one I think might miss the tone of NJ, I really like the sketch (it's about david cameron) but I'm worried it's not lighthearted enough for newsjack...we shall see. Second one is something I put together in literally 20 mins about the 02.

God speed little sketches. Cracking on with one liners now until deadline. next week I'm writing off the weekend to really concentrate on sketch stuff - will obviously post everything in critique. I really like my cameron one so might just try and get that made anyway....would be a good experiance.

Three sketches sent in.

I made sure to include the word 'foetus' in each sketch just to ruin JezG's chance of getting a credit.

(Only joking!!!)

Only got off a very last minute 'And Finally' this week. Looking at one-liners now, but not coming up with much so far...

three sketches - one movie trailer and two interviews. Not very happy with them to be honest

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