British Comedy Guide

How NOT to write a Sitcom

Hi All.
This is a shameless plug for my new book, which will hopefully be reviewed independently on this site
shortly. As the Sitcom consultant for this site (plus for many TV people here and abroad) this is the sum of what I've learned from them plus from you - the writers. I have written a few sitcoms, sold four (that never got to production, boo hoo) had my own BBC Radio series and written for some famous names.

I think the standard is getting higher, which means people are reading the books on how to or not to and studying the form more. However, I would say that "How NOT to write a Sitcom" (A&C Black) will answer many of the questions you guys seem to have all the time.

Oh, and there is a one day workshop on SAt Aug 6th. Details on the 'Make it' bit.

Goodnight Seattle.

Borrowed the book from the library on Friday, Marc, and will start reading it in bed tonight.

Er, sorry Marc if I'm being a bit obtuse here, but surely most of us here already know perfectly well how not to write a sitcom! I certainly do.

But if you know how NOT to write a sitcom then you must know how TO write a sitcom?

So why not write one and make a fortune?

Or is it the Horace Batchelor situation all over again?

:)

I have always assumed the title of workshops and book to allude to to how many people write sitcoms that they think are the DBs but contain many flaws. Hence, the workshops and book will point out the flaws (in other words, how not to write sitcom). As a result, the writer improves. Hey presto!

I could be wrong.

I bought the book.
And am enjoying it so far.

That's good. Hope it works for you and you fail miserably to write one. All the worst. If you get commissioned then I'd sue the author.

Will do

Quote: shaggy292 @ July 17 2011, 9:58 PM BST

Borrowed the book from the library on Friday, Marc, and will start reading it in bed tonight.

Update: I didn't start reading the book in bed, I had a quick tug and then went to sleep. No offence, Marc.

Hope you didn't do a 'Henery Cooper' on the book cover.

(aged reference to Brut advert and Bukkake)

Quote: Marc Blake @ July 17 2011, 9:28 PM BST

As the Sitcom consultant for this site .

What does this involve?

Quote: Marc P @ July 18 2011, 11:13 PM BST

What does this involve?

Advertising your books and courses.

Meow

Next course is Saturday Sept 24th. More details soon.

Oh, awesome. I found it on Amazon. I think after I finish my the book I'm currently reading, I'll pick it up.

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