BBC Studios advertises 2025 comedy writer roles
- Two paid six month placements to work on sitcom and character development are being advertised at BBC Studios
- One position starts in February 2025, the other in September 2025. The deadline to apply is 1st December 2024
- A webinar explaining more about the roles will take place on Zoom on Wednesday 27th November from 8-8:45pm
BBC Studios is advertising its 2025 comedy writer jobs.
The Staff Writer role sees two candidates writing for audio shows made by BBC Studios. This time, in a change of format, each will do six months; one starting in February 2025 and one in September 2025.
A second change for 2025 is that the job is being shifted from a focus on topical joke writing to sitcom and comedy character development.
The Staff Writer role has its origins in the Radio Comedy Writer Bursary. Since 1978 is has seen an impressive list of alumni that includes Guy Jenkin (Outnumbered), Rob Grant and Doug Naylor (Red Dwarf) and Simon Blackwell and Georgia Pritchett (The Thick Of It, Veep). More recent recipients include Danielle Ward (Harry Hill's TV Burp, In The Long Run), Laura Major (Famalam and Joe Lycett's Got Your Back) and Andy Wolton, writer of BBC Studios produced comedy Trying for Apple TV.
Christina Riggs & Peter Tellouche are the current staff writers.
The BBC says in its job advert: "Are you a writer developing a career in the comedy and entertainment industry? Do you aspire to be a full-time comedy writer with the dream of creating the next big hit sitcom, sketch show or comedy entertainment format? Then this is the position for you.
"This is an opportunity to join the award-winning Comedy and Entertainment team at BBC Studios Audio. We make a wide variety of programmes including comedy podcasts, radio panel shows, sitcoms and comedy entertainment formats. We champion the work of new and emerging talent as well as working with some of the all-time greats.
"We make radio and podcasts for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, as well as producing a growing slate of programmes for commercial audio platforms like Audible and Netflix. Our shows include The News Quiz, Just A Minute, Mark Steel's In Town, Laura Smyth's I Don't Know What To Say, Dead Ringers, Olga Koch: OK Computer, Tim Key's Poetry Programme, Daliso Chaponda's Citizen Of Nowhere, DMs Are Open and many many more.
"This role also provides the opportunity to work closely with our TV producer colleagues in the wider BBC Studios Comedy team - after all this is the department that has over the years seen Little Britain, Miranda Hart's Joke Shop, The League Of Gentlemen and Ladhood make the transition from radio to TV."
The job advert is below:
Aim of the job
The staff writer works closely with producers to develop their own comedy projects whilst also contributing to scripts across the output of the whole department as needed.
As well as playing a key role in our topical writers' rooms, the successful candidate will develop their own comedy characters and sitcom ideas. This will be done in close collaboration with BBC Studios' Audio and TV Comedy teams as well as with Radio 4's Comedy and Entertainment Commissioner.
This year we're shifting the focus of the job from topical joke writing to sitcom and comedy character development. Whilst we will still expect the successful candidate to play a key part in our topical writers' rooms, we hope that they will use their time with us to concentrate on developing narrative ideas.
They would, with support from producers in the team get the opportunity to develop new ideas for Radio 4 with the aim of winning a script commission at the end of their time with us. This role has a strong historic link to Radio 4 Comedy, with the network commissioning many previous alumni for their own series on Radio 4 and providing a springboard for their future careers.
We would continue this legacy by connecting the successful candidate with the Radio 4 Comedy and Entertainment Commissioner to allow them to discuss and develop their ideas and help them start building a fruitful relationship with Radio 4.
We also work closely with our TV colleagues and so, as part of this contract, the staff writer would have the chance to get input on their TV ideas from the Head of Development and Creative Director at BBC Studios TV Comedy. Our TV team are very aware of the importance of the audio to TV pipeline in terms of developing new writing and so they would be keen to collaborate with the successful candidate during their time with us.
Alongside this focus on narrative, the successful candidate will also write funny content for all types of comedy programmes, from links for the hosts of panel shows to satirical one-liners and sketches for topical shows like The News Quiz, Dead Ringers and DMs Are Open.
They would also help producers to develop ideas for new formats, help with story structure in sitcoms and punch up scripts with extra jokes.
If you love comedy and are brimming with ideas you want to get made, this is your dream job!
The role
- To develop a narrative audio comedy idea with funny returning characters who could be at the heart of the nation's next favourite sitcom.
- To write for any of our shows as required; we produce a wide of variety of formats and styles. You'll be a versatile writer who can create one-liners, host links, sketches, narrative and more.
- To contribute as required to long-running topical series like The News Quiz, working to tight deadlines.
- To script edit sketch and narrative comedy shows.
- To write to a brief set by a producer or another writer.
- To contribute to idea generating sessions.
- To work in a team and also independently.
- To develop scripted and non-scripted podcast ideas for development.
- To write trails and promotional material.
- To be fully aware of the Health and Safety responsibilities of this job role as stated in the department's Health and Safety Policy and always act responsibly when working on productions.
- To comply with the BBC's policies on Diversity and Inclusion.
Essential criteria
- At least two professional writing credits in audio or TV comedy. These credits should be for paid work on established broadcast platforms e.g. radio, podcast, terrestrial or SVOD content platforms.
- A demonstrable knowledge of comedy and a passion for both the comedy world and writing comedy.
- Experience of working with industry-recognised performers and writers, creating material that showcases them at their best.
- Experience of originating and developing ideas, working to notes and briefs from producers and commissioners.
- A demonstrable drive to be a self-starter who is able to instigate projects and take an active role in their development.
- The desire to make new contacts and to be confident in networking around the office and at wider industry events.
- Experience of writing to a brief set by others and to write in other people's voices.
- The ability to treat colleagues with respect and inclusivity and to support and encourage others.
- Good communication skills with a talent for expressing all issues and ideas clearly and concisely.
- The ability to produce original, imaginative ideas that are well written and funny.
- The skill of thinking ahead in order to plan and prioritise work and ensure meetings are attended on time and agreed deadlines met.
Based in London, the job will for four days a week for six months (one position starting Monday 24th February 2025, another with start date TBC in September 2025). Interviews will be held from 13th January.
A webinar Q&A hosted by a member of the BBC Studios Audio Comedy and Entertainment leadership team alongside the current staff writers, will be held on Wednesday 27th November from 8-8:45pm. Register on Zoom
The deadline to put yourself forward is 1st December 2024. To submit an application visit the BBC Careers website
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