NJ: Flat Earth Warming

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Cheers

MILES
Chinese lanterns are a bit like global warming sceptics: full of hot air, growing in number, and a mounting threat to livestock. Earlier today, I recorded a telephone interview with one such sceptic – a lumberjack who founded the Cold Flat Earth Society, Ms Lucy Lopper.

Ms Lopper, why deny global warming?

LUCY LOPPER
Flat earth warming! Don't give me that round earth crap.

MILES
OK, do you deny there's a link between de-forestation and flat earth warming?

LUCY LOPPER
Yes! It's scaremongering from the flat earth warmers, and let me tell you, they're right a bunch of --

FXCHAINSAW CUTTING DOWN A TREE

LUCY LOPPER
(SHOUTS) Way-hey!

FXTREE CRASHING INTO GROUND

MILES
Why didn't you tell me you were calling from work?

LUCY LOPPER
I'm not at work, I'm on holiday. In the Amazon rainforest.

MILES
(SURPRISED) With a chainsaw?

LUCY LOPPER
OK, you got me! I'm a workaholic who can't resist the temptation of remote login.

FXCHAINSAW CUTTING DOWN A TREE

LUCY LOPPER
(SHOUTS) Way-hey!

FXTREE CRASHING INTO GROUND

MILES
Let's discuss your career for a moment. It's an unusual job for a woman. Are the other lumberjacks respectful?

LUCY LOPPER
Yes, they treat me like one of the fellers.

MILES
And where do you stand on recycling?

LUCY LOPPER
I support long term recycling: i.e. land fills. And anyone who doesn't, is a two-faced, irresponsible piece of --

FXCHAINSAW CUTTING DOWN A TREE

LUCY LOPPER
(SHOUTS) Way-hey!

FXTREE CRASHING INTO GROUND

MILES
So tell me this, Ms Lopper, where will our oxygen come from, in a world without trees?

LUCY LOPPER
From the ocean, Miles. Marvellous thing the ocean. Not only our primary source of oxygen, it's also handy for dumping nuclear waste and toxic chemicals. Now what could possibly go wrong?

Didn't really drew it for me I'm afraid. I'm not entirely sure of the news story but it lacked any potential lol moments and the idea itself didn't seem strong enough to carry a sketch of this length. Maybe other people will find more in it than I did.

I thought this had a lot going for it, and it has a nice 'radio feel'; but perhaps for NJ is a little too much of a flight of fancy rather than a literal take on the news story. "Remote login" is very good.

Thanks guys. I see what you mean about flights of fancy versus a literal take on the story. Very good point! I've just been reading Dan's blog (Comedy Jazz) which further reinforces this idea. When Newsjack returns I'll be ready…

Yeah, there's something I very much like about it, but feel that the jokes could have been a bit more climate-specific ie. a few more genuine points about climate change being a big hoo-ha over nothing (perhaps mention Clarkson or something). Agree with Timbo that 'remote login' was very funny, though.

Nice style though. I think it would fit. And the intro is top-class!

Dan

Thanks Dan. This is very useful (and generous) feedback!