Sitcom Writing Idea! Page 4

I'm happy to take over, even though I'm working on my own sitcoms, I've still got loads of free time and I'd be happy to get something going with this.

What I think should happen is, we get an idea for the sitcom, then plan out the plot for the first episode (it doesnt have to be the first episode in a series, just a random episode), get the plot perfect so we know what needs to happen and what needs to be revealed. And then characters can work their dialogue in around that.

Here's my idea..sticking with the phobia angle, but not in a self-help group situation. What I'm thinking is these 5 or 6 individuals all who have different phobias have been sent on a trip together to bond and help each other overcome their phobias, they could go stay at some kind of camp? Or house? Hotel? Just any place where they can get into comedic situations. But the thing is rather than helping each other they decide just to have fun, yet their phobias come into play from time to time, this could easily run for 6 episodes.

I had an idea for how it could start, and thats they get told by the organiser of this self-help trip that they will be going to a place, free of the type of stuff and situations that are likely to distract or provoke them. But when the 6 guys get to the place they mistakenly go in the wrong say hotel (for now) and one of them maybe says "Are you sure this is the right place?" to which most of the others answer "Yes"...this place could then have a casino, therefore distracting the gambling addict, it could have lots of pretty women to distract a sex addict etc etc.

Just writing that above has made me think that its more about addicts now rather than phobias, but I suppose it could be a blend of the two.

Anyway your thoughts?

Thankyou for all your help. I may right my own sitcom, with this man being the main charactor, but the cooking idea could just be for the pilot episode. I may develop this charactor further and put him in different situations. I like the: Ready, Steady, now eff off idea.

Someone said early on about a group of gamblers. How about a group of gamblers who take a young man in from the street, initially just for one night, but he ends up staying. he pays rent by gambling with the other guys. not an idea that's completly thought through by any means, but it's an idea nonetheless.

Nice one Martin, I think you'll do a better job then me. And it's a good idea you have there, there's a lot more freedom and situations in that.

I had an idea about a group of writers/performers but put it to the back of my draw because it seemed to incestous to write about, but I could bring forward a few of the ideas I used for that, group situations etc.

And yeah sorry Martin... you can have the gambler, I'll have a food addict (used to be obese, I laugh now).

The thing is as Lee says how do we work this? Whoever organises it start it off and then we can see how it develops. We can only see by trying it. If it works as an exercise at least it's good discipline and practice.

Sorry one more thing, if we are going to be discussing ideas, shouldn't we do it possibly via email or MSN, something along those lines?

How about PMs on this forum?

I suppose the character just come into the scene as it happens. Then it would be more spontaneous and real. Are PMs that instaneous or is quicker to just write here?

I've got a fairly good idea that I can sort out so that people can start developing their characters into it, but first we need to make a definate list of what phobias/addictions the 6 main characters will have.

I'm going to be writing for the Gambling Addict.

EDIT: Or it could just be 5 main characters now that Leevil has pulled out.

I'll stick with my food addict.

Obsessive compulsive disorder?

I was thinking of a person that doesn't like to be touched, doesn't like human contact, I think it's called aphephobia.

Also someone else mentioned a hypochondriac, that could be humourous. And a sex addict too, then that person can be like the arrogant, boastful one about all his conquests...although deep down he wishes he wasn't like this.

A sex addict character could turn pretty dark... even in a humourous light

a sex addict character would be compared to Glen Quagmire from Family Guy, so i'd suggest not using that one.