British Comedy Guide

Birth sketch

INT. DAY. DELIVERY SUITE.

A WOMAN IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF LABOUR.

MIDWIFE:
One last push, deep breaths, that's it, it's coming. Here it is.

WOMAN:
What is it? What is it?

MIDWIFE BRINGS BABY ROUND TO WOMAN AND HUSBAND.

MIDWIFE:
You've got a girl.

WOMAN:
A girl! we wanted a boy.

HUSBAND:
Yeah, could you take it back please, its not suitable.

MIDWIFE:
Take it back? Your wife's just given birth.

WOMAN:
I'll have to get a refund, the nursery's blue and everything.

HUSBAND:
Could you wedge it back up inside her, then we'll try again and see if it comes out with a willy this time.

MIDWIFE:
This is some kind of a sick joke, right?

WOMAN:
No joke.(PAUSE) Listen I've carried this for nine months and I'm not leaving hospital without a boy.

HUSBAND:
Now be a good midwife and run along and get us a boy.

MIDWIFE: (talking to husband)
Have you been taking gas too?

HUSBAND:
No, I'm totally compos mentis. (PAUSE) This is the last time I tell you, get us a boy or else.

MIDWIFE:
Or else what?

WOMAN STRUGGLES OFF BED AND SQUARES UP TO MIDWIFE.

WOMAN: (looking at baby)
She gets it.

MIDWIFE:
Erm, I think I'll call security.

WOMAN:
Make that call and little pumpkin here is going out that window.

THE MIDWIFE FAINTS.

HUSBAND:
Shit, ok, what's plan B?

WOMAN:
Plan B? You've got a head like a sieve. We go to see the sex change surgeon.

HUSBAND:
It's NHS though, we'll have to fill in forms and wait for ages.

WOMAN:
We'll do it ourselves then, now get me some scissors?

I like the premise of a couple trying to exchange their baby, although I was a little put off by the couple's aggression. You could try writing it where, instead of threatening the hospital staff they try and barter and try to make an exchange deal for another baby.

Not sure if the last punchline works either - it would work a lot better if they got a boy and wanted a girl, rather than the other way round as you've scripted it. Good job though. I liked it.

The last line is a bit weak.

But it's weak at the end of an inventive, fast paced and funny sketch.

Top bollocks.

Thanks for your feedback.

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