British Comedy Guide

Common mistakes, part 1

Coupling. Image shows from L to R: Sally (Kate Isitt), Jeff (Richard Coyle), Susan (Sarah Alexander), Patrick (Ben Miles), Steve (Jack Davenport), Jane (Gina Bellman). Copyright: Hartswood Films Ltd

Writing narrative comedy is hard - and we'd never pretend otherwise. If writing sitcoms were easy, everybody would be doing it!

Making people laugh is a gift, and it's a gift worth giving. This is why we're always delighted to hear about our members' successes - so if you're making progress with a project, please email us and let us know.


But it's important, wherever you are in your comedy career, that your scripts are the best they can be. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

1) Insufficient characterisation

Involving, funny characters are essential to a successful sitcom.

We...

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Published: Monday 8th April 2024

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