With my first two sitcom attempts I went for a flat share and a charity shop sitcom.
Both groundbreaking settings that no-one had or has since thought of to use.
Are there any other settings that are considered a big no-no nowadays?
Settings to avoid
A hotel.
A hotel.
A hotel.
A f**king hotel, no matter how different in style, tone etc your pilot is to Fawlty Towers, just don't set it in a f**king, sodding, f**king hotel. Doesn't matter how good and original people tell you your script is, it's f**ked because it's set in a f**king hotel! (with apologies to Shane Allen 
)
(Oh, gulags/concentration camps are a no-no as well, BTW.)
Internet forums.
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 17 2009, 11:52 AM BSTA hotel.
A hotel.
A hotel.
A f**king hotel, no matter how different in style, tone etc your pilot is to Fawlty Towers, just don't set it in a f**king, sodding, f**king hotel. Doesn't matter how good and original people tell you your script is, it's f**ked because it's set in a f**king hotel!
OK, OK, OK!
I won't set it in a hotel I promise!
I want my mum.
Quote: Tom G @ July 17 2009, 11:58 AM BSTOK, OK, OK!
I won't set it in a hotel I promise!
I want my mum.
Do if you want, but you may risk your sanity in the process.
*dribbles*
A funeral parlour.
Quote: David Bussell @ July 17 2009, 12:26 PM BSTA funeral parlour.
...full of paedos.
I've written a sitcom about a paedo returned to the community on probation who is housed with a guy determined to take advantage of the ex-offender whichever way he can.
"I can't borrow your car? How about I slap something incriminating on your hard drive and mail it to PC World for a service?"
Look forward to 'Paedo Street', coming this Autumn to ITV.
Cue misunderstandings involving the local boy scout group, an advert for a carpet cleaning service and a Sybian, resulting in hilarious consequences. Contrasted with the pathos of our hero's developing relationship with a nonce he met at the park on the kiddy swings.
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 17 2009, 12:40 PM BSTCue misunderstandings involving the local boy scout group, an advert for a carpet cleaning service and a Sybian, resulting in hilarious consequences. Contrasted with the pathos of our hero's developing relationship with a nonce he met at the park on the kiddy swings.
I'll thank you to stay out of my notes, Mister Walker!
Student digs.
You might think it clever, cos you've just got out of uni and think it's the 'best idea ever' cos it's 'never been done before!' but that's because it isn't and because it's shit.
(Yes, yes, I'm aware there is one about to be broadcast...)
Dan
OK, David...
Well stop coming round my house at five in the morning, posting your cum and tear-stained pilots through my door, shouting "Wake up and smell the change a-coming, you f**king f**k-brick!" and then running away in just pants and dark glasses.
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 17 2009, 12:46 PM BSTOK, David...
Well stop coming round my house at five in the morning, posting your cum and tear-stained pilots through my door, shouting "Wake up and smell the change a-coming, you f**king f**k-brick!" and then running away in just your pants.
Those stains were milk and and regular urine, Tim, and if you take the time to remember properly you'll recall I was wearing pants and a codpiece.
Quote: swerytd @ July 17 2009, 12:45 PM BSTStudent digs.
You might think it clever, cos you've just got out of uni and think it's the 'best idea ever' cos it's 'never been done before!' but that's because it isn't and because it's shit.
(Yes, yes, I'm aware there is one about to be broadcast...)
Dan
Echo this. I've also discovered that sitcoms about circus freaks turned pornographers aren't the easiest sell either. Sadly this time I'm not joking.
Quote: David Bussell @ July 17 2009, 12:49 PM BSTThose stains were milk and and regular urine, Tim, and if you take the time to remember properly you'll recall I was wearing pants and a codpiece.
That's only (as I'm sure we all here could have guessed) because you're such a bitter man, you've become unable to produce semen or tears anymore. And yes, you were indeed wearing pants and a codpiece, but wearing them on your arms doesn't count. Desist, sir, desist! Or I will send you a copy of my recently-published autobiography, Wanking Through The Pain.
Quote: David Bussell @ July 17 2009, 12:53 PM BSTThose stains were milk and and regular urine, Tim, and if you take the time to remember properly you'll recall I was wearing pants and a codpiece
It's eurine now and you can no longer say 'spend a penny' it's euronating 