Title should read:... to stand a chance of getting a sketch show.
Obviously I realise that being funny is important, but it just seems like Oxbridge graduates have overwhelming access to the BBC even when they are not that good. Is everyone else wasting their time?
It seems that stand up is the main way in for the plebs.
Discuss.
A chance of getting a sketch show? Not sure what you mean? Are you an actor, writer, producer, director? What is it you want to get and why do you feel your lack of Oxbridge education is stopping you from getting it? Also not sure what you mean by plebs?
Quote: Marc P @ September 29 2012, 11:00 PM BSTA chance of getting a sketch show? Not sure what you mean? Are you an actor, writer, producer, director? What is it you want to get and why do you feel your lack of Oxbridge education is stopping you from getting it? Also not sure what you mean by plebs? Besides I didn't goto 0xfoord , Oxford came to me. Magdalane college was rebuilt in my back garden brick by brick, but I went to the local tec college instead to learn to make jam tarts anyway. And was kicked out for sticking my fingers in some jammy tarts, which was dirty.
It's all go in Sheringham!
Okay fair cop, I admit I have had more fingers in more dirty pies than Billy Bunter at a mud wrestling show!
[sarcasm]If you don't look like Marc P's avatar, you're screwed. No question.
However, if you went to LSE/UCL, the BBC might let you clean their bogs. Anything lower than Durham can bugger right off..[/sarcasm]
I went to 'Royal Holloway University', which is a university for retards. Alumni include 'The Divine Comedy', and that fat twat who threw a pie in Murdoch's face.
Plus, I got a 3rd, which is shit.
People say "don't worry, Carol Vorderman got a 3rd!", but then I usually respond "yea, but she probably didn't spend the subsequent next 6 years tossing off over SpankWire, trying (failing) to get 120 power stars in Mario Galaxy 2 and trying to pull Asian girls on Adult FriendFinder".
Talent helps Simon old boy, but it is true you should know how to mix a decent cocktail.
Pick your favourite comedy writers on TV, genuinely, list them and we'll see how many went to Oxbridge. 
I did go to public school though.
In my home town, the local posh school has to let a handful of local pikey scratters into the school each year (some rule laid down by the founder of the school back in 34AD, or some shit).
Anyway, I was fast at running, could catch a giant egg and put it on the grass beyond a white line, so they let me in.
Yeah.............. and list your favourite comedy writers on TV currently??? Going to public school but not to Oxbridge meant you were either thick or a farmer. 
Why am I having to list them?
I think the OP is talking bollocks, hence the sarcasm edit of my earlier post.
You don't have to at all SImon, it was the notion that if you don't look like me or me colleague's avatar you are screwed... Did the the short little fat man sitting in the corner go to Oxbridge? Did he go to Reading. I don't know, But the old footlights excuse is a bit like edam that has been out in the garden all summer. And as you seem to be agreeing with me I shall mix you a Martini and say chin chin, and f**k the rest of them !
In the period between The Pythons, and the various brattish young cliques that popped up in the early 1980's, I'd say there probably was a Footlights 'thing' going on.
However, in the post-Office UK comedy landscape, I'd say the common man has taken over.
Not to say that Tarquin and Royston doesn't have a few advantages (contacts, money connections etc.), but that's the same for nearly every industry on the planet.
Quote: SimonWing @ September 29 2012, 11:58 PM BSTNot to say that Tarquin and Royston doesn't have a few advantages
Mainly having awesome names.
Quote: SimonWing @ September 29 2012, 11:58 PM BSTIn the period between The Pythons, and the various brattish young cliques that popped up in the early 1980's, I'd say there probably was a Footlights 'thing' going on.
However, in the post-Office UK comedy landscape, I'd say the common man has taken over.
Not to say that Tarquin and Royston doesn't have a few advantages (contacts, money connections etc.), but that's the same for nearly every industry on the planet.
If you had your life to live over again would you like to have gone to Oxbridge so you could have a slightly increased chance of doing something so important as writing Sitcom? Or maybe banking?
Quote: zooo @ September 30 2012, 12:03 AM BSTMainly having awesome names.
Royston Vasey!!! Eh? Eh!!! You know what I am saying!
Ha. Actually, he's not very posh at all is he.
Well................ er no..... not really