British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

Jokes / gags

Jokes should be at the heart of most comedy projects. Don't forget to gag!

Dave Cohen

Have I Got New For You: Is it worth it?

  • Tuesday 14th January 2025

In the last in his series of pieces about the current state of topical comedy, Dave Cohen asks whether it's still worth trying to write jokes about the news.

Image shows left to right: Denis Norden, Frank Muir. Credit: BBC

An absolute joke

  • Friday 10th January 2025

We consider jokes, in the context of our Gag-a-Week competition and beyond.

Lisa Houston

Just an average Friday night, right?

  • Thursday 31st October 2024

Pro member and writer Lisa Houston explains how she secured her first television credit.

John Langdon

Langdon calling

  • Thursday 10th October 2024

We take a look at the "Langdon", a classic joke form often used on satirical panel shows.

Chris Head

Chris Head on writing jokes: implication

  • Friday 30th August 2024

Chris Head discusses the challenges of - and techniques for - writing more jokes for characters in existing scripts.

Mike Wooles

Doing it yourself

  • Tuesday 20th August 2024

Pro member Mike Wooles on taking matters into his own hands.

Two people looking at a laptop

Gagging up

  • Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Gagging up your - or other people's - scripts.

BCG Pro Gag-a-Week

Gag-a-Week advice

  • Monday 22nd July 2024

Advice for Gag-a-Week entrants (and gag writers in general).

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Frank Spencer (Michael Crawford). Copyright: BBC

A LOT of laughs

  • Friday 5th July 2024

This simple acronym will help you devise visual jokes for your sitcom script.

Oxo Cube

Too obvious?

  • Thursday 30th May 2024

The importance of moving beyond the immediately obvious.