I quite like the whole middle-class Radio 4 vibe in general.
And I quite like being middle-class. I don't understand quite why it pisses people off so much.
Dan
Newsjack - Series 8 Page 4
It's not the people its the mindset I detest it simply because it holds people back in both expression and output.
It is staid and humdrum it yearns for the past and it's grip on the arts in general is the reason hundreds of good writers on these and other boards have to beg and cajole to offer products to these twits that are far superior to what they themselves dish out.
Take Miranda and that f**king stupid shop where mummy pops in and everything is terribly Brian Rixish. What the f**k is that about? A former head girl from a public school running round doing nothing of note and drooling over men like a twelve year old!
I suspect at least twenty writers on this board alone could surpass that with ease and be refreshing into the bargain!
But due to the Binky Beaumont type grip on the BBC by the middle classes all we are being served up in the main is drab dross as the bland lead the bland into a format that is oh so f**king tiresome.
Oh, *that* middle-class. Well, why didn't you say so?
Dan
I'm sorry but I don't follow your reply at all?
Just written my first sketch of the new series, based on a news story that has just happened, but would probably have been more topical about three years ago. It's a start...
Quote: Teddy Paddalack @ February 6 2013, 9:16 AM GMTAt the risk of sounding irksome I can't stand Newsjack, the material is often bang on but the whole AM Dram middle class presentation annoys the shit out of me.
God help you if you ever hear The News Quiz.....
Is it bad? My radio's in Cash Converters at the moment so I wouldn't be able to comment until I get it back.
That may be your opinion Teddy, which is fair enough, although I wouldn't necessarily agree with it. We won't all like everything the BBC do.
The Miranda (& Mrs. Brown's Boys) debate rumbles around many threads on this forum but no matter what you think of it there's one thing that matters - they pull in big numbers on BBC1. Some people might not like it but a lot of people do. If you want to write a hit mainstream show there's lessons we can learn from both of those sitcoms. (If you want to write a more niche show that's a completely different style that's fair enough but don't be surprised if it doesn't have the same broad appeal).
For shows like Newsjack (and now TSWYW) regardless what you think of the style it is a chance for us, the humble hoi polli, to get our stuff recorded and broadcast by the BBC. Even if it's not your style it does give you that opportunity and the chance to show you can write to a brief. A brief that may be different to one you'd write but a brief nonetheless.
And if you want to do something completely different to all that there's a tonne of open-mic nights around where you have full creative control.
Basically there's enough opportunities out there at the moment to satisfy all tastes and tones.
Quote: StephenM @ February 6 2013, 5:41 PM GMTThat may be your opinion Teddy, which is fair enough, although I wouldn't necessarily agree with it. We won't all like everything the BBC do.
The Miranda (& Mrs. Brown's Boys) debate rumbles around many threads on this forum but no matter what you think of it there's one thing that matters - they pull in big numbers on BBC1. Some people might not like it but a lot of people do. If you want to write a hit mainstream show there's lessons we can learn from both of those sitcoms. (If you want to write a more niche show that's a completely different style that's fair enough but don't be surprised if it doesn't have the same broad appeal).
For shows like Newsjack (and now TSWYW) regardless what you think of the style it is a chance for us, the humble hoi polli, to get our stuff recorded and broadcast by the BBC. Even if it's not your style it does give you that opportunity and the chance to show you can write to a brief. A brief that may be different to one you'd write but a brief nonetheless.
And if you want to do something completely different to all that there's a tonne of open-mic nights around where you have full creative control.
Basically there's enough opportunities out there at the moment to satisfy all tastes and tones.
Steve, stop trying to inject sanity and rationality into the internet. It will only reject it and the reaction will form a comicbook monster that will destroy us all.
Apart from that, you're right. 
Stephen I am not in that much disagreement with your views.
I do not see my writing as being niche nor avant-garde in content and I do not see myself as a stand up comedian either as I have neither the bottle nor the presence.
For my sins I am simply a writer who does not expect to be a millionaire nor see my name in lights, but deep down would love to feel the glow of winning an an Oscar for best screenplay.
My problem is that as a working class writer I believe that the middle class have a stranglehold on the BBC and it shows in their output.
You may cite working class writers that have been taken on, but the caveat always seem to be that their content confers with how the middle class see us as oppose to what is the reality.
Take the first two series of Shameless, a fantastic and real set up that made stars out of people and SHOULD have created a template for others, but it never.
In the realm of sitcoms you have people like Ronnie Barker, a true genius who was worthy of every commission, but Amanda?
Ok it's funny in parts, if you're an ex public school girl who laughs after lights out!
To me its like watching Brian Rix's niece chasing Derek Nimmos f**king godson round a church hall stage.
The viewing figures it gets are based on it being on a main stream terrestrial channel. It's like the poker player in a rigged game, he knows the game is rigged but its the only game in town, that for many is TV viewing as not all have cable or sky.
My point is that given that potential platform of a prime slot on a mainstream channel I think the output should be sharper, stronger and more realistic.
I have seen scripts of the afore mentioned qualities on these boards.
Hungry keen writers waiting to offer everything and ready to create real energy
now they have a genuine opportunity.
So why we are watching people in pastel coloured clothing farting around sets that make Balamory look like the f**king Wire is beyond me.
Mrs Brown is there on merit, I don't like it but its loved and fought its way past the obstacles based on its commercial success in theaters.
In relation to Newsjack, I stated clearly that these people are being given top notch material by people begging to do so, but the format and am dram sound simply slots it into Footlights fodder for me.
Saying Radio 4 is middle class is like saying CBBC is childish. True, but so what?
We've all got YouTube if we want to bypass The Man and let our voices be heard.
I don't have to pay a licence fee on penalty of imprisonment for You Tube.
As for meekly accepting things for what they are as opposed to what they should be is acquiescence and that's not one of my traits.
To my mind if people accept too much then they end up getting far less.
Besides the BBC's own Mission Statement seems to concur with my thoughts as it states:
Establish a leading reputation for creative and innovative programming.
Ensure enrichment for all audiences by covering a wide range of cultural activities.
Encourage active participation in cultural activities.
Provide a wide range of enjoyable and entertaining content.
Foster creativity and nurture and support UK talent across a wide range of genres.
I don't want something I shouldn't have access too Jinky, I want the access writers should have so that a national station can reflect the view of the nation.
Too many unknown writers are forced to give reverence when they should be allowed to utilise a public service created by fee payers from every corner of the nation.
So rather than meet the criteria of a select group who have hijacked a section of our media, I would rather ask why this is? and why it should stay so?
Perhaps it's just me and the BBC is my Windmill, but there has to be others in the flock who think like me.
I greatly enjoy the comedy output of the BBC, but I am disappointed by its fear of controversy.
Around 40-50 years ago, something like Round the Horne was outrageously breaking the taboos of the day, and Python was overturning comedy convention; but these days, much as I love things like Clare in the Community, Bleak Expectations or Cabin Pressure, you could hardly call them progressive.
The BBC has lost it's pioneering spirit of the past. Presumably this is a reflection of the times, where mere prank calls can cause nation scandal, all political parties are boringly middle ground and almost everyone drives monotonously grey, silver or black cars.
It's not that they have lost their way it is more a case of them being steered away by those at the helm.
When you listen to the plays and comedies they commission you could be forgiven for thinking it was the 1950's.
At this present time this country has a whole swathe of both social and political issues, yet you would never guess that by listening to Radio 4's comedy output.
For me comedy should reflect society, it should offer escapism that is within a format that relates to current conditions an acceptance of the harsh reality we all face and make light of it or berate it through mocking.
I also find that Radio 4 is used more in line with the wishes of Sir Humphrey Appleby rather than the assessment of a Hancock type.
This new show that invites unknown writers to put forward sketches is a start but for it to be a real start the people running it have to agree to air the funniest and not the most acceptable to the current format.
It's not that they have lost their way it is more a case of them being steered away by those at the helm.
When you listen to the plays and comedies they commission you could be forgiven for thinking it was the 1950's.
At this present time this country has a whole swathe of both social and political issues, yet you would never guess that by listening to Radio 4's comedy output.
For me comedy should reflect society, it should offer escapism that is within a format that relates to current conditions an acceptance of the harsh reality we all face and make light of it or berate it through mocking.
I also find that Radio 4 is used more in line with the wishes of Sir Humphrey Appleby rather than the assessment of a Hancock type.
This new show that invites unknown writers to put forward sketches is a start but for it to be a real start the people running it have to agree to air the funniest and not the most acceptable to the current format.
Quote: Teddy Paddalack @ February 7 2013, 9:34 AM GMTWhen you listen to the plays and comedies they commission you could be forgiven for thinking it was the 1950's.
It is the 1950's. The Old Etonians are back in power and people are very conservative.
Then again, the 1950's had The Goon Show and we've got Noel Fielding. We've lost.
But look what Richard Herring has to say!!
We have the means of our own production in our hands now and can broadcast what we want whenever we want. This might be a mild inconvenience for those who like to blame everyone but themselves for their lack of a break or point to nepotism and public school boy cartels. But if you can borrow a computer and a video camera and can be bothered to put in the work and don't expect immediate financial reward then there's a level playing field out there, with no agents or commissioners or cliques). Personally I have found that as long as you work reasonably hard at it and are producing stuff that a few thousand people want to hear then the financial reward will come - somehow I am currently making a better living from comedy than I ever have despite giving away a massive proportion of my work for nothing and generating nearly all my jobs myself.