Same Precinct - different style???

Hello

I have been working on a sitcom for a while now and recently changed the precinct to a veterinary surgery as my previous one was a bit 'all over the place'. I've really grown to like the vets setting but my mate has just told me there was sitcom set in a vets called Beast on BBC. THis has made me feel really depressed. However, my style of writing is likely to be different (hopefully), i.e I am quite surreal and am trying to make my characters likeable.

Is there anything wrong with having a precinct that's already been done? So long as I ensure it's far from similar?

I think I saw some of Beast, but was not very impressed.

http://www.tv.com/beast/show/5091/summary.html

Above link will take you to TV.COM's summary of the series so that you can have a look at how the concept relates to yours. Beast was from 2001, so it was quite a while ago as well.

Hi Mondi. I would not be too worried. Look how many hospital, prison, office based and flat sharing sitcoms there are out there. As long as yours is completly different it should not be a problem.

So chin up, smile and get on with it. Good luck.

You should have posted this in Writers Discussion.

You'll be fine, I don't think the veterinary surgery has been mastered in any other sitcom.

The rule is, don't set it in a Hotel. (Because that has been mastered)

Actually I did like Beast. That was the one with Alexander Armstrong wasn't it?

It was quite surreal and Doon McKichon (or whatever her name is) was really good.

I was going to say watch it to make sure yours is nothing like it but then thought maybe you shouldn't as you may become subconsciously affected by it. Do yours & then show us a scene or something. Good luck..

And PS - welcome!!!

Yes David, it was. I am *ahem* acquiring it at the moment...

Best idea is to not watch it. Then you can't be accused of plaigiarism.