I was just wondering, is there any chance of a Production Company agreeing to make more episodes of a sitcom, than the usual 6?
6 Episodes only?
I spoke to a head of comedy who said that six is good, eight is better, twelve is like a godsend and they will love you if you write twenty-four (cos they can sell it to America). He did work for a distributor, so that's probably their point-of-view rather than a production company, who would have to fund producing twenty-four episodes in that case rather than six.
However, it's 'easy' to write twenty-four when you have a team of twelve writers. As I'm sure most of you are aware, it can take a full-time writer about nine-twelve months to write six episodes.
Dan
The BBC definitely prefer six episodes for a first series as it fits in well with their schedules, so if you're aiming for a BBC channel the production company would no doubt only want to make six.
Plus six isn't as big a risk for them as seven or eight. It's hard enough to get them to buy six episodes - seven or eight would be much harder!
I notice more and more second series are now being extended though - seven and eight episode runs.
And it's not such hard work for a writer either.
Who wants to waste time on 12 when you don't know if 1 will be accepted?
Quote: David Chapman @ March 28, 2008, 1:22 PMAnd it's not such hard work for a writer either.
Who wants to waste time on 12 when you don't know if 1 will be accepted?
You should only write one episode of non-commissioned sitcom anyway. Then write more if it gets commissioned. That's the general rule.
I can't think of many uk sitcoms with more then six episodes in a first series, and as swerytd said you'd have a problem in funding anyway. The more shows/scripts they invest in, the more they have to lose, and unlike the American system, broadcasters can't quit when the ratings get bad.
Why would you want more anyway? Save them for a second series 
Quote: Hennell @ March 29, 2008, 5:00 PMI can't think of many uk sitcoms with more then six episodes in a first series, and as swerytd said you'd have a problem in funding anyway. The more shows/scripts they invest in, the more they have to lose, and unlike the American system, broadcasters can't quit when the ratings get bad.
Why would you want more anyway? Save them for a second series
Just partly down to tradition, I believe Mark has discussed it in another thread.
But at the end of the day if somethings good, you want to see more episodes of it. 6 isn't enough in my books when I stumble on a sitcom I like.
I want to squeeze all of my ideas into the first series, so that it stands a better chance of being hailed as a classic.
Quote: Hennell @ March 29, 2008, 5:00 PMI can't think of many uk sitcoms with more then six episodes in a first series, and as swerytd said you'd have a problem in funding anyway. The more shows/scripts they invest in, the more they have to lose, and unlike the American system, broadcasters can't quit when the ratings get bad.
Why would you want more anyway? Save them for a second series
Didn't 'Spaced' have 7 in series 1, or is my memory playing tricks on me?
Yes, 7 episodes for both series.
there is an article in broadcast here that seems relevant to this. For those who don't want to register the gist is:
# Should the UK have a show runner type system?*
# It works for Dr Who and Robin Hood.
# It would mean Indies could make longer series - of more interest to the US (Thus can be co-produced/funded).
# It gives one person creative control but not all of the writing.
# It does require writers to be sociable (gasp!).
This system would allow for longer series, but would you like it as a writer? (With a sitcom I'd guess you'd have to do the group/room writing thing as well)
Any thoughts?
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(*For those unaware the 'show runner' system is popular in the US where a show creator is responsible for setting the plot of the series, deciding the theme and look of the show and its basic concepts, but uses other writers to help write episodes.)
For all channels after a good pilot 6 episodes is the initial gamble they seem to be prepared to take on a sitcom. If the show gets a good response they'll quite happily go further in the next series scheduling and writing allowing.
To me, 6 episodes seems increasingly archaic. I usually decided on the basis of one episode whether I'll stick with a series, especially as there's so much stuff competing for my time nowadays. So if I, and a lot of people like me, decide a show's not worth bothering with after just one episode, they've got another five weeks of the show stinking out their schedules like a dead kipper.
The Mighty Boosh have 8 in series 1.
Personally I pefer 6 because then you've got more chance of writing 6 more good ones for a second series...
I'd love to be part of a big team of writers, like the one on 30 Rock. I don't think I'd ever swear, when my alarm clock woke me up of a morning, like I do now, if that was my job. I'm a really sociable person, and hate having to spend so much time on my own, when writing.