British Comedy Guide

Sketch: Ooompa Loompa gets the sack

Hi there,

Written a sketch and was hoping for some feedback. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

OOMPA LOOMPA GETS THE SACK

MANAGER: OK MR Oompa Loompa

OOMPA LOOMPA: Please! Call me Graham

MANAGER: The thing is Graham. Although it's great having someone at
our chocolate factory who has worked with the reclusive Willy
Wonka, I'm afraid it's not working out

OOMPA LOOMPA: What do you mean? I'm the hardest worker here! I'm the only
one who can sing!

MANAGER: Actually it's your singing that's the problem

OOMPA LOOMPA: What do you mean?

MANAGER: Well, Sandra from accounts has to guzzle down sweets for her
low blood sugar, and you said she's 'eating as much as an
elephant eats'

OOMPA LOOMPA: That was poor judgement on my part

MANAGER: Not only that but Nigel from budgeting was talking about his
son Jason, who's misbehaving in school, and needed some
positive reinforcement. You called his son a 'brat and and
spoiled as a siamese cat'

OOMPA LOOMPA: Listen we weren't all that politically correct over in Wonka
I can tell you that much!

MANAGER: It's just basic manners really. When Sally asked you whether
you saw Strictly on telly last night you said she has an IQ
of 3

OOMPA LOOMPA: Fine! Fine! Message received. Is that all then?

MANAGER: Well there's something else I need to tell you

OOMPA LOOMPA: What?

MANAGER: We've decided to make you redundant.You have to clear
your desk by 5:00PM today

OOMPA LOOMPA; OOMPA LOOMPA DOOPITY DUNT

MANAGER: (interrupts)I'll have to call security if you don't leave
Graham!

It's a great idea and you've some nice dialogue and jokes.

But you give the joke away in the first line and you explain and explain when you could just show what's happening.

I like it. I'm very happy with the set up - I'm in a minority because I don't always think "show don't tell" is the funniest option. Punchline is very funny.

I'd change the fact that all 3 of your examples are quotations from the movie, so you're wheelspinning by the end. Either cut it to 2, or start to get creative after we've fallen in to the sitch after the 1st one: we know that the Oompa Loompas are critical, so perhaps they sang a song to a wheelchair use calling them lazy, or something..?

Good stuff, though Cool

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