Well, I've thrown my hat into the ring. Just thought you should know.
BBC3 live comedy show seeks stars of tomorrow Page 2
I hope it wasn't too sharp.
There's something not quite right about this show - I can't put my finger on it but their callout for material just gives off horrible 'Best of YouTube TV' vibes, where they probably think that they're reinventing the comedy wheel by giving (limited) airtime (in a madcap 'look what we found on the net - aren't they crazy slot) to the viewing public under the notion that everyone out there must want 15 seconds of fame by having their face on a BBC Show.
I'd wager money that those who send clips in will most likely end up with their stuff sidelined on some overrated website/interactive portal which has been given the big trumpeted fanfare so that it will somehow seem important and part of the show, when infact it will just be a poor man's YouTube. The voting/rating bit they talk about merely confirms this.
Of course we'll see the sketch groups and stand ups on this show because for them this will be great exposure and a proper gig if you like, but for the rest it just seems like another wasted opportunity, because if they were genuinely interested in finding the new Ricky Gervais/Catherine Tate as they say, then they would be contacting those who they felt sent in the best material, before helping them to hone their sketches in the way a script editor would, before shooting the re-worked sketches in a proper fashion with cameras and extras before placing them unsegregated into the show. I doubt they'll go to that much effort though because they probably think that most people will just be satisfied enough with having their face on the telly.
I've also got doubts.
I'm wondering whether it will be a show taking the piss out of the contributers? A sort of, "let's look at this clip. This saddoe thinks they're really funny! Wasn't that crap everyone!" You know, like the X Factor auditions.
Erm Okaaay. Well there's only one way to find out. And of course you always have the power to refuse once you know more. Personally I'm pleased big reputable production companies like Zeppotron are looking out to the web.
But it's often the way that you won't 'know more' until after broadcast. It's quite easy to just be told "hey, we want to use your stuff we think it's great.", you sign the release form and then 3 months later there's a programme with a presenter taking the piss out of sad wannabes (i.e you. not you personally, you know what I mean).
As Splodge says if they really are after new comedy talent it's odd they're not going about it via the usual routes - discovering live acts, developing scripts, etc.
Have Zeppotron done any sketch or script based shows before? I'm trying to think what their usual output is....
Okay, Zeppotron did Spoons and Rush Hour, but they also did Space Cadets in which unsuspecting members of the public (read idiots) were lead to believe they were being sent into space.
It's also a way of avoiding paying contribitors. They know we're desperate...
They've done some big shows which is why they are unlikely to make a programme with such a cruel concept. I mean, what new talent would dare work with them after that!?
Hopefully the internet is fast becoming one of the usual routes to finding new talent along with live acts etc.
If it ends up being a clips show then nothings been lost. If they do take a few selected contributors and work with them then great! It's all such a long shot anyway that it'll probably not matter to me either way 
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ November 26, 2007, 1:12 PMthen 3 months later there's a programme with a presenter taking the piss out of sad wannabes (i.e you. not you personally, you know what I mean).
You're not SlagB by any chance because half our meetings involves him taking the piss out of me. A presenter taking the piss out of me is what I aspire to.
