My God, I've just been reading how many are in production! There's tons. I've been anxiously scrolling down to see if any of the ideas are similar to mine. I think I'm okay. Wonder how many hit the mark? Some of the ideas look terrible on paper.
Sitcoms in production
The Office doesn't look as good on paper as on the screen, and yes I scrolled the site a few times so many sitcoms are in production, but many will barely make it past a BBC3 pilot and others will most likely be shelved because they're shite.
There are always dozens on the go, and I expect we only get to hear about a relatively small number of them. Good news for sitcom fans, not so good for writers.
Where's the list?
Bingo bang, are you a quango?
Does the world really need half of the comedies we've seen in the past few years?
Seems superheroes are in.
Quote: David Bussell @ March 24, 2008, 1:22 PMSeems superheroes are in.
Yep, which means an idea I had for a sit-com must go back in its box for a few years.
Some interesting ideas in development. Not much stands out as 'new', though, does it? And I had to laugh when I read that the poor sod who won the BBC's 'Last Laugh' competition only got to share in the writing of the pilot, before someone else took over for the series.
Oh, well - I suppose not every great sitcom makes it. Look at 'Orrible' and 'Hippies'. Arguably two of the finest comedies written and performed at the tail-end of the last century, yet both axed after a single series. Reminds me of the fate that befell Carla Lane's forgotten classic 'Screaming', which also got buried after six episodes. Proof that not even great writing and acting can guarantee a place in the comedy hall of fame.
Quote: Antony Wheeler @ March 24, 2008, 1:38 PMLook at 'Orrible'... Arguably... the finest comedy written and performed at the tail-end of the last century.
Arguably? I'll say!
Pearls before swine, David, pearls before swine.
Let's not forget that 'Only Fools And Horses' got terrible ratings at the start. So did 'The Goode Life', if I recall correctly. But back then, the Beeb persevered with shows, gave them chance to flourish. These days, shows either attract 8 million+ viewers by episode three, or they're headed for the bin. Never mind about the quality. Easy to understand now how 'My Family' had something like eight series (I'm not sure on the exact figure, as that show makes me twitch every time I think about it - researching further would likely see me getting sectioned).
David - 
Antony - Ditto Blackadder. And it's 10 series'.
Isn't the "Inbetweeners" the same as "Baggy Trousers." ?
Has 'My Family' really had ten series? That's just wrong ...
Kind of: the ninth is about to be broadcast, with audience tickets already available for the tenth.