Sitcom Geeks

Writer John Vorhaus has been teaching us how to do comedy for decades - his 1994 Comic Toolbox is one of the oldest and best guides for sitcom writers and this episode is PACKED with profound knowledge and glittering jewels of advice.

You can find a million books, blogs and vids about how to make that first draft sparkle - but hardly a word about the next step. This episode James and Dave fill the chasm and offer tips on how to turn your possibly-not-yet-perfect work into something special.

James and Dave explain what's needed in the final steps before you write the first draft of your script. Plus comedy news - the backlash against the government's Channel 4 sell-off and Life Of Brian - The Musical.

Last year David Tyler of Pozzitive Productions asked for your radio sitcom scripts. 600 competition entries later he joins Dave and James, armed with masses of encouraging help and advice - and hopefully some positive news for the winners.

If you thought the Bible was a proper serious tome, prepare to have your viewpoint challenged by James's new book The Gospel According To A Sitcom Writer. Also in this episode, Dave explains why there has never been a better time to think about writing for Children's TV.

Dave talks about his debut novel Stand Up, Barry Goldman ("funny and fascinating, a lovely tale" Jo Brand) out on 8 June, and he and James discuss sitcom story arcs - who needs 'em?

Sketches are BACK! Charlie Dinkin and Ben Sutton talk about comedy quickies and Daddy's Super Yacht TV, a production company focused on making online and TV sketches. They're joined by Becca Bain and Alex Garrick-Wright, winners of Dave's Making A Scene Of It competition. Tons of inspiring information and advice about how to be short, sharp and silly.

Sitcom Geeks/BCG Pro Script Challenge winner Peter C Hayward took our advice, went out there and made a pilot of his radio sitcom. Yes, it can be done! He tells Dave and James how he created the show during lockdown, and how with the help of Kickstarter he's planning to make the whole series. Ever wondered what happened to the co-creator of Phoebe's Smelly Cats? Peter has the answer. Listen to Nig...

As viewing habits change, we have to find new ways to hook our viewers. Dave and James talk about big entrances, life changing starts, tough choices and when you should have sex on a bus. Plus why it's vital you should 'go' to Edinburgh this summer.

What will the comedy writing landscape look like as we come out of covid? James and Dave are surprisingly upbeat about the future for comedy writing despite the demise of BBC Four and the question marks hanging over the future of stand-up.

Writer, producer and acclaimed comic novelist Lissa Evans tells us what it was like directing and producing Father Ted - and what makes a funny script.

James and Dave discuss the importance, if you want to get on in comedy, of having A Plan. Plus we announce the winner of Dave's Making A Scene Of It competition.

Dave announces the shortlist for the Making A Scene Of It competition, James reports back from his sitcom webinar about character - plus some surprising conclusions are drawn from the great Tuesdays Are Funny experience.

Top stand-up and BGT winner Lee Ridley aka Lost Voice Guy shares his amazing story of comedy success, the influence of heroes The League Of Gentlemen and Lee Evans, the new series of Ability on Radio 4 and his hilarious book I'm Only In It For The Parking, out in paperback on 11 March.

In today's episode James explores creating new characters using Jessica the fictional celebrity chef. And Dave launches #TuesdaysAreFunny the weekly 8:30pm Twitter Sitcom Geekery Watchalong.

Welcome to a new year of comedy writing, as Dave talks about writing topical comedy (hence the rejection and waste), James tries to enforce good habits for writers (other jolly news) and Dave launches If Only I Had The Time, his short book about trying to write when there's a pandemic going on.

Dave and James reveal their plans for next year, including the launch of The Situation Room, home for James's brilliant new online sitcom writing masterclass. Meanwhile Dave will be finding out again what it's like to be starting out as a new writer as he plans the spring publication of his first novel.

Dave and James look back on the closed down year - what is comedy drama, scene competitions and a little shard of light and love for our fellow comedy scriptwriters. Recorded infuriatingly three days before the BIG BBC COMEDY ANNOUNCEMENT we had been trailing for the last three episodes - but still lots to report here about BBC changes.

Big changes at BBC Writersroom - they want your comedy drama scripts NOW. Plus part 2 of our fascinating chat with Victoria Wood biographer Jasper Rees. He reveals all about her hopes and successes, extraordinary confidence, and relationships with Julie Walters and the gang who stayed with her through years of fabulous shows.

Part one of our revealing interview with Jasper Rees, author of the brilliant Let's Do It Victoria Wood biography. 'Everyone thought they knew her but they were wrong, it was she who knew them.' The story of dinnerladies, and Victoria's advice to aspiring sitcom writers.

Ahead of the deadline for Dave's scene writing competition the Geeks discuss how you can learn from the greats: specifically Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and Blackadder The Third. Plus a surprisingly upbeat prognosis about the future of comedy writing (spoiler alert: plenty of positives but it's still bloody hard to breakthrough).

Dave and James discuss Dave's new BCG Pro scene-writing competition and what we might learn from Blackadder, plus news about news - topical comedy's moment. And bonus sitcom writing advice from James's 'Writing That Sitcom' book.

Dave and James celebrate the big 150 chatting to the great writing pair who brought you Drop The Dead Donkey, Outnumbered, Kate & Koji and tonnes more. Great stories of rejection (how many pilots turned down by the BBC since Outnumbered?), acceptance (yes sometimes that happens too), and some novel advice from Andy about how to sit.

Self-Publishing guru Joanna Penn explains why the future of comedy lies in doing it yourself. Why we must write what we love, embrace AI and produce our own audio. A must listen if you're keen to make a career of comedy writing.

Dave and James with news of an exciting new competition, plus keeping your plots clear and what to do when your main character isn't funny (clue is in the title).