Sitcom Geeks

James and Dave talk more about the scripts from the BCG Pro competition, with some more thoughts on getting the story going, how story is character (saving you a fortune in Robert McKeen seminars) and when talking under your breath is funny, and when it isn't.

While you were eating and sleeping your way through the holidays Dave and James were reading your script entries to the BCG Pro Sitcom Geeks Script Challenge - all 65 of them. Ahead of announcing the final shortlist they discuss what they've learned. Essential listening if you want to enter this year's BBC Writersroom Script Competition.

'My act is like putting a cartoon in someone's head.' Dave and James enjoy a fascinating session in the company of one of the country's top comedians, ahead of his biggest live tour in years.

Four comedy writers walk into a bar. Ahead of the comedy writers' Christmas Party, Dave chats with NFTS comedy graduate Sara Gibbs, improv superstar Pippa Evans and writing legend Paul Bassett Davies about women in writing rooms, the changing definitions of sitcom, Stephen King and Dolly Parton. Summing up: Yes it's still tough, but the opportunities are still there.

This episode Dave and James ask what's the difference between character and characters, story and stories, stand-up and acting? (Spoiler - it's not 8 quid). Also not to be missed - James's theory that all sitcoms are like biscuits. Nice.

Dave and James revisit the dos and don'ts of plotting, adding sparkle to your stories, with added jeopardy for comedy drama fans.

Here's plenty of valuable last-minute tips from James and Dave before you send your script out to a producer or competition. And don't worry if you miss the Sitcom Geeks Script Competition deadline - the next BBC Writersroom deadline is closer than you think.

With the November 17 deadline approaching for the Sitcom Script Challenge, Dave and James talk about extracting maximum mileage from your characters. Spoiler alert: they don't have to be likeable.

It's half of our name but we don't talk often enough about the situation. Dave and James talk to producer David Tyler (Cabin Pressure, Dinnerladies, Milton Jones and loads more) about what makes a good sit, plus James's chapter on this from Writing That Sitcom.

Dave and James look at the recent Emmy successes for British shows Fleabag and Succession, and talk about what makes a successful career, and why overnight success can be years in the making.