British Comedy Guide

Doctor Sketch

INT. DOCTOR'S SURGERY. DAY.

DOCTOR is sitting at his desk, various medical certificates adorn the wall. DOCTOR lifts up phone.

DOCTOR:
Could you send in the next patient please.

SPIDERMAN walks into room.

DOCTOR:
Ah! Mr Spiderman, how can I help you?

SPIDERMAN:
Spiderman is fine doc, you can drop the Mr moniker.

DCOTOR:
Ah! Spiderman, how can I help you?

SPIDERMAN:
It's my spidey sense, my in-built radar that tingles when I'm in danger. It's, it's.. (SPIDERMAN starts to sob).. it's stopped tingling.

DOCTOR:
Ok, and where isn't it tingling?

SPIDERMAN:
At the back of my head. That's where it used to tingle but it ain't tingling anymore doc. (PAUSE) My superhero days are numbered.

DOCTOR:
So if one of your arch nemesises, is that the plural of nemisis? Anyway, if one of them was standing behind you with a sawn off shotgun, what you're saying is you wouldn't be able to tell?

SPIDERMAN:
I'm not one for exquisite vocabulary doc but isn't the plural of nemesis, nemesi?

DOCTOR:
Possibly, probably.

SPIDERMAN:
I just call them bad guys and they wouldn't have sawn off shotguns either, the world of superhero villianry is a lot more elaborate than that.

DOCTOR:
I'm out of touch.

CLOSE UP of DOCTOR writing on post-it note 'read more comics.'

SPIDERMAN:
But yeah, to answer your question, I wouldn't be able to sense the danger.

SPIDERMAN casually turns his head round the room.

DOCTOR:
And how are you mentally Spiderman?

SPIDERMAN:
I'm a mess doc. I can't sleep, I'm paranoid and my sex life is virtually non-existent.

DOCTOR:
There must be something in the air, would you believe Superman was here just a few days ago?

SPIDERMAN:
Ole' Soopy. What's up with him?

DOCTOR:
Due to doctor-patient confidentiality I couldn't possibly comment.

DOCTOR holds his hand up to his mouth and coughs whilst also muttering 'he can't get it up.'

SPIDERMAN:
Superman's got libido problems too?

DOCTOR:
Seriously, where did you hear that? (PAUSE) Hmmm, this is an unusual case. Ok, were you a fan of Laurel and Hardy Spiderman? I may be able to help you.

SPIDERMAN:
Doc, I got the whole Laurel and Hardy DVD collection, digitally remastered. I love them guys but I don't understand….

DOCTOR suddenly grabs SPIDERMAN'S head and twists it round the opposite way.

DOCTOR:
Strange cases call for strange methods Spiderman. I remember this from Laurel and Hardy, basically you've now got eyes on the back of your head. When you're walking North you'll be facing South.

SPIDERMAN:
Wow! My neck's a bit sore but hey this might work. Thanks doc.

SPIDERMAN leaves the room walking backwards but facing forwards.

Phone rings DOCTOR picks it up

DOCTOR:
Hello

VOICE:
It's a Miss Lois Lane doctor, she said you've been expecting her.

DOCTOR:
Yes, yes I have. Send her in at once and cancel all appointments for the next hour.

DOCTOR starts rubbing his hands and whistling.

Nemeses (nem-e-seez). I like the idea of a superhero doctor and I like where this is going, it just never seems to get there, if you know what I mean. The Lois Lane bit might work as part of a two/three parter?

Seems a little belaboured without a good ending. Needs to be snappier, perhaps leave out L&H references. Maybe the Doctor could say "I love my job" to close the sketch.

Unless Lois has thrush.

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