Sitcom Geeks

James and Dave talk to Toby Davies about how one sketch can get you a movie. Seriously. Toby talks us through the multiple drafts needed to get Up All Night and Gun Shy to the big screen.

Toby Davies, the prolific comedy writer for kids' TV and now with a movie to his name, talks sketch writing, working with the biggest names in comedy and modestly reveals his legendary contribution to the oeuvre - That Mitchell And Webb Cash Register sketch.

James and Dave talk to brilliant Newsjack host Angela Barnes about how she approaches writing - and what you can do to improve your chances of getting jokes and sketches on the show. Also, James promises to listen to every episode of the new series.

How do you get material on to the BBC's main show for new writers? Dave and James talk to producer Adnan Ahmed and writers Laura Major and Mike Shephard about how to ensure your sketches have maximum impact. And find out what Eddie Izzard's beret thief looked like. Next week: Newsjack host Angela Barnes.

Bonus episode! James and Dave with updated writing tips for 2018, plus answers to your questions about working with a partner and how many episodes is the right number.

Dave and James are joined by writers Shai Hussain, Abigail Burdess and Neil Forsyth (writer of the brilliant Eric, Ernie And Me on BBC Four over Christmas) to discuss the winners of this year's Writers' Guild Comedy Awards. Also: is it still right to call Phil Wang young?

The Joy Of Seinfeld. Dave, James and Graham Linehan all love this classic American sitcom, and in this episode they share that love with you.

The king of audience sitcom talks Ted tunes, radiator tests, the Birth of Bono and plenty more, including EXCLUSIVELY about the new version of The IT Crowd for the US, and how he's hoping it will be third time lucky.

What do you think YOU are? James and Dave talk to Pauline McGowan, Virginia Gale and Kate Benson from research company The Nursery about the Nine Types of Comedy they found in their research (which involved making people watch Mrs. Brown's Boys) - and how most of us aren't as clever as we think we are.

James and Dave are joined by ace radio writer and performer Carrie Quinlan to talk about writing for radio, the no-holds barred secrets about what it's like to work with John Finnemore, and more cricket than you might expect from a podcast about comedy.