Writing for Newsrevue Page 5

This was my success.

https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/2679#41023

Haven't reached those dizzy heights since though.

Cheers Dave -- it's also very good. Nice to have a bit of a guide as to what they like.

Dan

Suitably inspired by yesterday's encouraging response from Newsrevue I sent off another today: An unlikely spin on Dragons' Den and the Lottery Heritage Fund.

Normally I have a problem with topical stuff but this 'fell out' of a browse of the BBC News website.

I have sent them several things which are inspired by topics of the day but because of that they're usually a bit rushed.

I had sent them my Car Parking sketch but they didn't pick it up - amongst many others.

I don't know if it's of any use or interest to anyone; but I wrote a brief guide to what type of sketch I write for NewsRevue/The Treason Show - which has comments by other regular writers explaining their approach to sketch writing.

These are the links:

http://phillbarron.wordpress.com/2007/03/31/how-to-write-sketches-part-one/

http://phillbarron.wordpress.com/2007/04/01/how-to-write-sketches-part-two/

http://phillbarron.wordpress.com/2007/04/09/how-to-write-sketches-the-aftermath/

They're not a definitive guide; but they might help people who are interested in writing for either show.

Thanks for posting those Phill. They are a very good guide to follow.

Cheers for sharing

Dan

Wow, they are a flipping godsend. Thanks a lot Phill!

Thanks a million for those, Phill.

My pleasure.

Thank you Phill, much appreciate contribution to the site.

Having had some success with writing for News Revue and Treason Show, a few thoughts

1 Write quickly write lots, you may hit a subject no one else has covered, or covered well

2 Watch the shows they have their idiosyncrasies e.g. David Cameron is done as Leslie Philips in both, and Barry Scott is always popular.

3 Always have a strong punchline, preferably one that's a pace change.

4 Keep it simple, if you can't explain a sketch in one sentence, it probably won't work.

5 Keep it short, if it's over 2 pages (double spaced) it would have to be briliant to get in.

6 Write alot some times the crumby one you just tossed off will get in, but your 2 day master piece won't.

7 For both shows a week before they go out is the best time to get stuff in.

8 It's an adult audience who've a few pints, puns, smut, crudeness as part of a topical sketch all help, both shows have relatively few "clean sketches,"

hope that helps

also follow writing guidelines on Treason Show site to the letter, they're pretty simple.

Farmarama

Dom is interviewing Farmer Piles

Dom Hello this is Dome Estos, on Nation Snide’s Farmarama. So farmer Piles, you’ve been helping the government with its experiments in mixing human, and animal embryos, how’s it been?

Piles Ruddy marvellous it has, you’ve been looking around my farm, what did ya think of my horse?

Dom It is pretty unusual to see a horse doing the farm accounts, and those pigs.

Piles Aye nothing more labour saving than a pig what will, cut it’s own throat and jump into the sausage making machine.

Dom In fact some of your animals have started to talk.

Piles Aye, the chickens now tell the supermarket how many eggs to expect

Dom The cows, tell you when they’re ready for milking, and the sheep…

Piles That sheep’s a fookin liar, get orf my land now.

this is and farmarama are the two I got into News Review and their best of the year show, hope they are of help

Bush’s brain

Carl Rove, is being interviewed by a journalist

JournalistSo Mr Rove, you’re resigning after a long, and some would say distinguished white house career, some would ask why ?

CarlWell, it’s been an honour to serve, but some how I’ve been expected to do things I find shameful.

JournalistThe invasion of Iraq, the destruction of Afghanistan…

CarlNo worse.

JournalistLegalising torture?

CarlIt’s about feeling disrespected at work.

JournalistBut you’re the man Bush, calls his brain, you’re one of his most senior advisers.

CarlBush’s brai,n that would be the nub of the problem

George Bush walks on he isn’t wearing trousers

GeorgeHey Carl, hey journalist friend

CarlGeorge! Look at your watch, what’s Mickey doing?

George looks at his watch

George Putting on his pants.

George walks off

JournalistSo being Bush’s brain is a little more literal?

CarlErm yes

George returns wearing trousers.

GeorgeI done it by gosh

Carl What does Mickey do before putting on his pants?

George looks at his watch, and then grabs the back of his pants.

GeorgeSay Carl could you help with my paper work?

CarlNo, I’m busy.

GeorgeCould that nice journalist?

CarlNo damn it, ask Mr Cheney to do it.

GeorgeNo

CarlWhy not?

George He touches me, and says he’ll hurt me if I tell. He’s like a gynaecologist expressing his love for women.

Carl Now where was I, why don’t I tell you about our work on reducing tax on the wealthy across the board

George bursts into tears

GeorgeYou’re mean to ignore old George. Where’s Tony, I want my Tony, he always did my paperwork..and..and he’d give George a big old kiss down there when he was done.

JournalistI think I understand why you’re resigning now.

Quote: Phill @ January 25, 2008, 3:33 PM

My pleasure.

View original

Nice one Phill, I've copied and pasted your articles just in case you realise what you've done and given all your secrets away. Now, where can I copy and paste talent?

Seriously, I've just read a few of your blogs and found them very interesting and helpful really. Like quite a few on here, I'm interested in writing comedy and trying to find the best way in.

does any one know if the running order for this week is out yet?

thanks

Quote: joel soetendorp @ January 26, 2008, 4:20 PM

does any one know if the running order for this week is out yet?

thanks

View original

Yes, it came out tonight. Your Osama in Big Brother house is in it. One of the few not written by the cast or director! Saw your Farmerama sketch at Newsrevue by the way and it worked really well.

Damnit! I'm on their mailing liste, but never receive the running orders!

Could you please let me know if anything by myself is on this weeks run? The names, Ricketts. Ben Ricketts.