Sitcom Geeks

'When you build a house you don't start with the roof'. Dave and James talk about how to structure your sitcom, make your characters clearer and - you'll like this - how to add funnier jokes. Don't say we don't spoil you.

As the Writers' Guild launch a new award for best online show, James and Dave update their views about breaking in to comedy via the internet. Plus a short tribute to Sean Hughes.

Jack Dee's co-writer Pete Sinclair joins us to talk about Bad Move, Lead Balloon, writing gags and a fascinating discussion about why audience sitcom is so hard to make.

Dave and James with more notes on notes: If you think getting notes is bad, try giving them. Plus another 10 page challenge.

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A special early edition of the show to give you time to catch up with Ben Elton's sitcom lecture on iPlayer, which Dave and James discuss at length. Plus Newsjack updates, comedy writer Susan Nickson seeks advice, exciting news about Patreon - and proof that Sitcom Geeks is good for you.

Was this the greatest audience sitcom ever? James and Dave are joined by Ever Decreasing Circles expert Jason Hazeley to discuss the genius of Esmonde & Larbey. They're best known for The Good Life but this lesser known show is arguably their greatest work.

Dave and James talk to the co-writer of those Ladybird books, writer for Charlie Brooker, Philomena Cunk and Russ Abbot - Jason Hazeley. Oh, and he's the occasional keyboard player for Portishead. Course he is. He explains how he got started and has a theory that comedy is just music.

James, Dave and special guest Abigail Burdess discuss the Edinburgh Fringe, how to do it and how to survive it. Warning: this recording also features a Belgian mime artist.

Dave and James' first foray into Facebook Live answering your sitcom-related questions is now a podcast, plus some thoughts on the recently announced BBC pilots. To watch it and see their pallid writerly faces, check out the Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Sitcom-Geeks-103111846703601/

More tales from the comedy coalface with legend Barry Cryer including the first gay sitcom that never was, amazing double act Cleese & Dawson, and the first joke Barry sold to telly (it's a cracker).