Sitcom Geeks

In this episode Dave and James weave together all the strands of the previous 221 to bring the podcast narrative to a pulsating climax... no they don't, this is sitcom where stories never end and people never grow. They talk instead about the best and worst sitcom endings of all time - and offer their final thoughts about how to approach this noble urge to create and complete your fabulous sitcom.

Looking back to when we began, back when people used to say "what's a podcast?". What has changed since 2015, and what's stayed the same? Dave and James look at the lessons learned (and mistakes repeated), featuring special guests our fabulous patrons.

Dave talks to writers Dana Fainaru and Hamish Wright about their brilliant new comedy Significant Other, out now on ITVX. Plus writing for long running shows, building scenes and a refusal to get bogged down in the misery of supporting Leeds United.

Dave and James discuss how to plan your next year of writing with purpose and intention - plus some surprising news about their own plans.

Bravo BCG Pro! Dave and James debrief on the hugely successful Big Comedy Conference, concentrating on the commissioners and producers who offered a rare mix of realism and hope. Plus a nod to the simple pleasures of meeting actual Geekers in real life for the first time.

Dave and James talk to Britain's hottest comedy drama writing star Neil Forsyth about his latest hit show The Gold, the new series of brilliant comic drama Guilt, Samuel Beckett, Eric and Ernie - and his early start at the world's most famous comedy school, Bash Street.

Bleak Expectations was an instant Radio 4 comedy hit and is now headed for the London stage... a mere 16 years later. Creator and writer Mark Evans talks Dave and James through the ups, downs, sideways, hope-crushing disappointments and finally triumphant arrival of the show to the West End.

There are quick wins to be had on your comedy writing career journey. And there'll be plenty of help with these at our upcoming weekend of Comedy Conferences. But as Dave and James explain, if you want a long lasting career you need ideas, purpose and a desire to help others.

Ooh listen - a podcast about why you should be thinking about making a podcast! No really, tonnes of useful advice about kickstarting your comedy career by writing for audio, listening to BBC Sounds and getting to know radio producers.

Writer, performer and founder of Female Pilot Club, Abigail Burdess, talks to Dave and James about the joy of getting your scripts in front of a crowd. Plus all the spooky news about her darkly comic debut novel Mother's Day - and why plotting books is not unlike stitching together your sitcom. Mother's Day is out now: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/147229551X/comedyguide-21/ Dave's Sun-DIY Conference is on Sunday 23rd April. https://www.davecohen.org.uk/learn-to-write-comedy-daves-sun-diy-conference/ The show Abigail mentions at the start is Dinner For One. https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/freddie-frinton-dinner-for-one/

It's a long time since Dave and James took a deep delve into the heart of storytelling. Find out why a flat tyre is not a plot. An inspector calls? Not a plot. What about when James blew eleven quid on an ill-fitting pair of designer trousers? Now we're getting somewhere. Our Geeky pair explain how to make stuff happen in your show.

Dave and James talk to writer, performer, stand-up and Buffering co-creator Steve Bugeja about driving with a murderer in your passenger seat, working with the most famous voice in the country... And what's left for Steve now he's achieved his life's ambition of appearing on his favourite podcast.

Exciting news from the BBC: they're signing up 10 comedy writers, producers and directors to spend a year learning how to turn your ideas into actual programmes. Dave and James offer guidance for how to enter and tips to make your blurb stand out. And bring you up to date with the latest news from the BCG Pro comedy writers' conference. Be there or... no, no excuses, be there. BBC Bursary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/comedy/comedy-collective-bursary/ Big Comedy Conference: https://www.comedy.co.uk/pro/conference/ Build A Script - from "I've got an idea" to "I've written a first draft" in 8 weeks - free copy here: https://www.davecohen.org.uk/ 14 Problems with your pilot https://jamescary.samcart.com/products/14-problems-pdf-webinar Dave and Dan's topical course: https://www.comedy.co.uk/pro/inside_track/return-of-topical-comedy-shows/

What do you want to achieve this year? Still chasing the dream? Is it even the same dream that you think you want? There are still plenty of ways to succeed, as James says "as long as people like laughing and they like watching television".

Christmas and Sitcom. Two words that go together like turkey and stuffing. There are more than 300 Christmas sitcom specials and in this episode Dave and James unwrap their favourites with Pozzitive radio producer David Tyler and the actor Laura Aikman, who has appeared in a few great Christmas episodes herself (including Gavin & Stacey). What makes a great Christmas special? And why do we love them so much?

Ever get one of those days where it's just not happening? Days that turn into weeks... Dave and James confront the bane of the new writer's life, offer ways and means of pushing through it, and dare to suggest that it might not be a thing at all.

Part 2 of our wide-ranging chat with top comedy drama writer Lisa Holdsworth (Call The Midwife, New Tricks, All Creatures Great And Small) with advice to new writers, the joys and perils of show running and the importance of the Writers' Guild, which she currently chairs.

Dave and James talk to the brilliant comedy drama writer Lisa Holdsworth. What is comedy drama? If anyone knows Lisa does, she's written loads of them - New Tricks, Call The Midwife, All Creatures Great And Small. Tonnes of great advice if you're planning to enter the BBC Writersroom call for Comedy Drama Scripts.

Join James for this exclusive interview with Dave Cohen, whose new improved second edition of the indispensable Complete Comedy Writer is published on 21st November. Hear what happens when James throws random sitcom writing questions across the table to his co-host. Our first non-Zoom show for two years.

Fascinating chat with Scott Dikkers, legendary creator of The Onion. His is a great story of how someone with no connections to the comedy world can break in and create their own niche. This episode is packed with helpful insights from his excellent How To Write Funny trilogy of comedy writing books.

Producers, commissioners, script readers - everyone tells you what they want more than anything from a script is to hear "your authentic voice". What do they mean by that? The answer is different for everyone. Dave and James offer tips to help bring you closer to finding yours. Yes that means you! And you. Every single one of you.

Dave and James talk two-minute-movies with the queen of sketchwriting Gemma Arrowsmith, best known for her work with Tracey Ullman and whose new Radio 4 series begins next week. Gemma knows everything about how to write comedy sketches and she wants to share her knowledge with YOU.

James and Dave are joined by a gang of Geekers to celebrate the first 200 episodes. A deep but fun discussion about credits, com dram and commissioners. Where things were when we began in 2015, where they are now and where they're going for comedy writers.

Dave's been in Edinburgh to see the first full on Fringe since 2019. What's changed? What hasn't? And what's all the fuss about Jerry Sadowitz?

The simple answer is "it's what BBC Writersroom are looking for this November." Dave and James return to this tricky question to help you work out your best strategy for entering the competition - with extra helpful advice from top writers who excel at the form. Submissions open Wednesday 9 November and close Wednesday 7 December 2022. Details here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/send-a-script/ Sign up for Dave's fortnight of free emails (15-26 August) "What Is Comedy Drama?" davec@bindman.net

Dave and James welcome back the kings of DIY moviemaking Danny Stack and Tim Clague. Fresh from their triumphant week at the Cannes Film Festival, the UK Scriptwriters team talk about making your own shows, selling them abroad, and how to make a name for yourself even if you don't know anyone in the business.

Commissioners say they love them, they remain hugely popular, nobody's writing them. Surely the answer is obviously yes yes yes! Dave and James think so but be aware of the high risks - and you'll need to think creatively about pitching the idea.

In Part 2 of the interview, Ashley Pharoah, co-creator of Life On Mars, explains the eight years of development that preceded the hit drama, and how it literally involved bags of money. And entertains us with tales of his other top-rated shows and, ah, Bonekickers.

There most certainly was for Ashley Pharaoh, who went on to co-create of Life On Mars, one of the best comic drama series of the last 20 years. In Part 1, he talks about breaking into the industry through writing for soaps and making his own stuff, including Where The Heart Is and Around The World In Eighty Days.

Writing topical jokes for radio is one of the fastest ways to build your credits and get to know producers. With The Skewer winning bucketloads of awards, Scotland's Breaking The News and now a new Radio 4 Extra show DMs Are Open, there's never been a better time to write topical comedy. Learn the secrets of successful gag writing from Dave and James, and regular topical writers Dan Sweryt and Eleanor Hayward.

Dave and James talk about... talking. How do you bring your comic conversations to life? What gets left out? How do you make it funny? And find out which hugely famous TV writer calls dialogue "the least important part of my job".

Creator of the great comedy monster Martin Fishback, Fergus Craig talks about his early love for Mr Bean, the Edinburgh hit double act of Fergus & Colin, and tries to persuade James that Reeves and Mortimer are the business. Watch the Martin Fishback pilot on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0014bxd/martin-fishback "Build A Sitcom" begins Friday 6 May. Email funnyup02@gmail.com Stand Up, Barry Goldman is now available to download. Sign up for the Situation Room Newsletter for more info on Kickstart Your Sitcom on 30th May: https://prodigious-trailblazer-4053.ck.page/b2bdfd5a77

Dave and James talk to Hat Trick boss Jimmy Mulville about his decades of phenomenal comedy success, developing new writing talent and why you should never send him a substandard script.

Part 2 of the advice-packed interview from Daniel Peak, one of our most successful sitcom creators. Code 404, Not Going Out - and he's not afraid to talk about the ones that got away. This week, Daniel heroically relives Big Top, an episode or six of what happens when a sitcom fails to please the Lords of TV Criticism.

...announced in this week's bonus episode. Dave and James discuss what made it onto the shortlist, how the quality of scripts has improved in recent years and why the future of narrative sitcom is hopefully assured. (And congratulations to Lloyd Glanville for the winning script Unsustainable). For show notes see https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/sitcom_geeks/episode_188/

Part 1 of our deeply insightful natter with brilliant sitcom writer Danny Peak, regular writer on Not Going Out and creator of one of Sky's most popular comedies, Code 404.

James and Dave have read your Hat Trick Script Competition Scripts and here are the headlines: 1. It really is hard. 2. Thanks so much for sending them in. Oh and a few thoughts about mockumentaries, sociopaths and the language of sitcom scripts.

Currently one of our most successful comedy writers, Georgia Pritchett talks to Dave and James about the long road to success, working virtually in LA and making Armando laugh.

Dave reports back from his first two years of trying to become a novelist, and details the ups and downs of starting a new writing career. Warning: includes ignorance about the industry, misplaced arrogance and emotional attachment to worn out old ideas.

Work deep, build habits. Dave and James return from the break with great ideas to improve your writing productivity and increase fun. Plus a great new topical opportunity for 2022.

Make 2022 The Year Of The Comedy Writer. James and Dave offer a great guide for ensuring that next year is your best for writing yet. Includes hopes and goals, brutal frankness and the number one key to comedy writing success.

Still time to polish that Hat Trick sitcom script to perfection. In this episode we answer your last-minute queries. What's a self-contained episode? How do we introduce characters? How much rewriting should we do? How can we be sure you won't steal your ideas? (SPOILER: we won't)