British Comedy Guide

Mafia Sketch

MEN SPEAK WITH ITALIAN-AMERICAN ACCENTS THROUGHOUT.

FX CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND CLINK OF GLASSES.

BOSS:
Tony, there's something that concerns me, it's Leo, he don't seem right.

TONY:
It's that new kooky broad of his, she's a screwball. She's got Leo on a mutha f**kin' raw food diet, coffee enemas, the works.

BOSS:
Y'know Tony, this is a mentally tough business to be in, I'm worried, he's one of our top hitmen.

TONY:
I said to him last night, 'Leo, let's go for a few beers, shoot some mutha f**kin' pool and get laid.'

BOSS:
And?

TONY:
And? He said no 'cos he was too stressed. Then he grabbed my balls, squeezed them for five and started doing some crazy assed chant.

BOSS:
What's his beef?

TONY:
Some weird shit, basashi. It's Japanese raw horse meat.

BOSS:
What?... nevermind. (PAUSE) Tony, I don't want any other crews hearing about Leo or his chick.

TONY:
She's worse than him boss. Leo told me she drives out to the sticks, gets stoned and makes out with the nearest scarecrow, in broad daylight.

BOSS:
Jesus H. (PAUSE) Y'know, in my day, for kicks, we fooled around a little down at the morgue but that was it, none of this cranky shit.

FX DOOR OPENING AND FOOTSTEPS.

BOSS:
Well, well. Speak of the mutha f**kin' devil and he shall appear. Sit your ass down Leo.

TONY:
Hey Leo, what's with the bucket?

LEO:
Hi Tony, boss. I'm collecting human manure. It's a little sustainability project of mine.

BOSS: (shouting)
You need to cut this tree hugging bullshit out Leo! (PAUSE) Now, there's a wiseguy on the Eastside who needs whacked, don't let me down.

LEO:
Can I bring Moonflower? She hasn't been on a hit yet.

BOSS:
Moonflower? This crazy broad of yours? Why would she want to see a guy get killed?

LEO:
She wants to film it, y'know for an art exhibition on us guys. She's doing a full mafia installation. Boss, we'll be the most famous crew in New York. She's even got me taping us now... look.

FX GUNSHOTS.

BOSS:
Poor kid. The Feds f**ked with his mind. (PAUSE) Tony, when was the last time you massaged my colon?

Not sure what to make of this, Nigel? The dialogue or do I mean language(?) is quite good, but it doesn't flow as naturally as it could.

Not sure I fully understand the punch either?

It's nice to see you trying to combine two different subjects like this, but something about it just doesn't work. Capiche?

It's a really good idea a hitman going hippy and the Feds doing it to make him agree to be filmed.

But it just feels like theres to much dialogue to get to the point for me.

The idea is good but it ends there. I basically agree with Leevil and Sooty. Obviously no research done - a Mafia hitman is a 'torpedo'. I get the impression that the writer got the (good) idea then just hammered it out - hence an unfunny, verbose sketch. It doesn't need tidying up/re-writing, etc. - it needs to be scrapped and a brand new sketch written based on the same idea - but this time with gags, short sharp dialogue, less swearing and a punchline.

Quote: Joseff @ July 6 2009, 7:34 PM BST

The idea is good

Cheers Joseff, you're a gent.

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