Sitcom Geeks

Dave and James record an interview with Ian Martin in front of a live audience at the Craft of Comedy Conference in Llandudno. They talk about the writing of The Thick Of It and Veep. As you'd expect, there is some swearing.

In this packed episode, James and Dave dip into the mailbag (for once) and answer questions about writing for specific TV names, and the merits of characters we never see, like Mrs Mainwairing. Plus two Ten Page Challenges (get the scripts via the Facebook page), and a chat about pursuing other projects. Told you it was packed.

James Cary talks to writer and performer Mark Evans about starting out, Bleak Expectations, and the frustrations of TV transfers.

As if you don't have enough work to do creating believable funny characters and great stories, when you start to create a new sitcom you also need to think hard about the world you're inventing. More insights from James and Dave on how to do this: Plus a new 10 page challenge all the way from China.

Bill Dare is a writer, producer, novelist, and Senior Tutor for the National Film and Television School's Comedy Writing course. James and Dave grill Bill about writing sitcom, how to get on in the comedy world, and what advice he has for new writers.

With a new series of Newsjack starting on BBC Radio 4 Extra, James and Dave discuss why you should be writing for it, and how. They're joined by Dead Ringers producer and National Film Television School comedy tutor Bill Dare.

Do your big plans for 2016 include making a YouTube video to showcase your brilliant sitcom script? Listen to the advice of James and Dave before you decide. Plus the latest 10 page challenge, featuring a script by... James Cary.

In this action-packed episode, Dave and James discuss what commissioners say they're looking for in 2016, and what they really are looking for. They're joined by The Times' Comedy Critic Alex Hardy with a round-up of the latest new sitcoms. Plus the 10 page challenge.

A look back at the sitcom highlights of 2015 with special guest Alex Hardy, comedy critic for The Times. And another 10 page challenge.

James and Dave talk about those things that are easily forgotten as you establish your characters and plot your stories: jokes. We also look at the First Ten Pages of a listener's script, Ivy View. And they're joined by comedy critic from The Times, Alex Hardy.

This episode James and Dave are joined by producer extraordinaire David Tyler (Victoria Wood, John Finnemore's Cabin Pressure, Milton Jones, Steve Coogan, Marcus Brigstocke, Jeremy Hardy and dozens more) to discuss the joys of writing for radio.

With the rise of the writer-performer sitcom, Dave and James look at what this means for the humble sitcom writer. (SPOILERS: There are pros. And there are cons.) Also: The launch of a new feature based on your First Ten Pages. Are you going to send us your first Ten Pages? Hear what happened to Dave when he did.

This week: secondary characters who populate your sitcom. Dave (the posh snob) Cohen and James (the cockney spiv) Cary discuss how to make sure your archetypes don't turn into stereotypes. Also, James is writing a sitcom on the internet. What could possibly go wrong...?

We've had larger-than-life monsters and odd couples, in this episode James and Dave explore the ensemble sitcom, where many characters vie for our attention. Expect the name 'David Croft' to appear on several occasions. And 'Cheers'. Also: why you should be trying to write audience sitcoms.

Hey! You! Look! Producers and script readers need to be grabbed by your script from the opening page. In this episode, James and Dave discuss the essential ingredients required in your first ten pages.

What's the story? Now you have characters you need lots to happen to them. Things that allow them to dig themselves so deep into holes it'll take the rest of the episode to dig them out again. James and Dave explain how to generate plots - and Katie looks back on this year's Edinburgh Fringe.

In the second of a two-part special, James talks to Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley (Gnomeo & Juliet, Little Britain and more) about Hyperdrive, Black Books, The Great Outdoors and Veep.

In the first of a two-part special, James talks to Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley (Black Books, Veep, Gnomeo & Juliet, Little Britain and many more) about how they got started, with tonnes of helpful advice for sitcom writers.

This episode Dave and James offer advice about choosing the best story to write up for your pilot episode. And using the benefit of hindsight they send you off to the brilliant pilots that became the greatest sitcoms ever. In their opinion, of course.

This week James and Dave discuss mismatched couples and why, despite everything, they stick together. Whether they're part of a family, partners, work colleagues, or simply unable to separate, these relationships are a great source of comedy for your show.

James and Dave discuss sitcom characters, how they need to be 'Larger than Life' and how you can normally push them much further than you think. They also discuss characters who are monsters (Basil Fawlty, David Brent, Victor Meldrew) and opportunists (Del Boy, Fletcher, Blackadder).

Dave Cohen and James Cary talk about the difference between what your sitcom appears to be about (ie. situation) and what it's actually about (something more profound, ideally).