British Comedy Guide

Swat Exorcist

A quick ghost sketch. Any thoughts always welcome. :)

INT. A HALLWAY. CLOSE UP OF A FRONT DOOR. THE DOOR BURSTS OPEN AND A TEAM OF MEN DRESSED IN SWAT GEAR STORM INTO THE HOUSE. THEY CHARGE INTO THE LOUNGE.

A GHOST IS SAT ON A SOFA WATCHING TELEVISION.

SWAT 1: (Shouting)
Exorcist squad. Freeze.

HE JUMPS TO MAKE AN ESCAPE BUT BUNDLED TO THE FLOOR
BY TWO SWAT MEMBERS.

SWAT 2: (Shouting)
Stay down. Stay down.

GHOST:
No ghosts round here. You're wasting your time mate,
I ain't done nuffin.

SWAT 1: (WAVING A BIBLE IN THE FACE OF THE GHOST) ( shouting )
You want some of this? You want some of this?

HE IS HANDCUFFED AND SAT ON THE SOFA WHILE THE TEAM BEGIN TO SEARCH THE ROOM.

SWAT CHIEF:
Let's see what turns up shall we?

SWAT 2:
Guv? You might want to take a look at this.

HE PULLS SOME WHITE SHEETS WITH EYE HOLES AND ALSO SOME CHAINS FROM A CUPBOARD.

SWAT CHIEF:
Well well well. Had an Iron monger round for a sleep over?

THE GHOST SHRUGS

THE SWAT CHIEF NOTICES A GOOEY SUBSTANCE ON A TABLE.

SWAT CHIEF:
And what's this?

HE COLLECTS A SMALL AMOUNT OF IT ON HIS FINGER TIPS AND RUBS IT ON HIS TEETH.

SWAT CHIEF:
Ectoplasm. Pure. Now where would an ordinary guy like you
get neat ectoplasm?

GHOST:
Don't know what you're talking about mate that's gravy.

SWAT CHIEF:
Well "Ah Bisto", 'cause I've got everything I need to put
you away for a long time.

GHOST:
For a couple of sheets? Bollocks.

THE SWAT CHIEF DRAGS HIM OFF THE SOFA AND PUSHES HIM TOWARDS THE DOOR.

SWAT CHIEF:
Take him in boys. Set up the altar and get me the sharpened crucifix.
me and mr bump in the night here are going to have a little chat.

THEY TAKE HIM AWAY.

END.

It's another good idea, with some nice bit's in there, but I was a bit confused about the ghost needing a sheet, I couldn't quite get into it I'm afraid..

Quote: Steve Sunshine @ December 4 2009, 9:40 PM GMT

... but I was a bit confused about the ghost needing a sheet, I couldn't quite get into it I'm afraid..

This was a concern. In my mind he needs the sheets because he looks like a normal guy. I wasn't sure how to refer to him in the script. If I refer to him as man I thought it would come across like he wasn't a ghost, which he is. So he's a ghost but the sheets and chains are his uniform if you like.

How could I rectify this?
:)

I'd make it clear that he was a man.
And the accusations would sound ridiculous
and maybe he walks through a wall at the end and gives himself away
"you didn't see that did you?"

Maybe that's a different sketch.
Ignore me.

For some reason I can see Bill Murray playing the role of 'Swat chief'. Eh?
:P

Maybe if it was taken for granted that it is a ghost (cos he's already wearing the dodgy sheet) but the chief was trying to pin a haunting on him or something... like an interrogation scenario. :)

I totally got it and it was hilarious! The white sheet was very funny and the sketch wouldn't work without it. If I was directing it, I would make it so that it was positively obvious that he was a ghost, i.e. he is transient, or talks funny, but yet the Swat officer rely's on old school indicators of ghostiness, i.e. a white sheet, ectoplasm etc. This is your finest work (that I have read) so far, and would work in any sketch show.

Top idea and well executed. Was going to make a suggestion about the chief saying "put him in-" (The ghost rattles chains around his feet) "More chains." but that's just over-egging what you already have.
:D
As to the ghost / sheet issue - wasn't an issue for me.

I like this scrachyr, but I really feel you've over-complicated it.

My advice is don't make it so literal. Also, why bother to have a 'swat exorcism team'? It's funnier if priests turn up in riot gear.

SWAT 2:
Guv? You might want to take a look at this.

HE PULLS SOME WHITE SHEETS WITH EYE HOLES AND ALSO SOME CHAINS FROM A CUPBOARD.

SWAT CHIEF:
Ectoplasm. Pure. Now where would an ordinary guy like you
get neat ectoplasm?

GHOST:
Don't know what you're talking about mate that's gravy.

That's all you need a few great lines like that. Don't explain everything.

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