Sitcom Geeks

Producers, commissioners, script readers - everyone tells you what they want more than anything from a script is to hear "your authentic voice". What do they mean by that? The answer is different for everyone. Dave and James offer tips to help bring you closer to finding yours. Yes that means you! And you. Every single one of you.

Dave and James talk two-minute-movies with the queen of sketchwriting Gemma Arrowsmith, best known for her work with Tracey Ullman and whose new Radio 4 series begins next week. Gemma knows everything about how to write comedy sketches and she wants to share her knowledge with YOU.

James and Dave are joined by a gang of Geekers to celebrate the first 200 episodes. A deep but fun discussion about credits, com dram and commissioners. Where things were when we began in 2015, where they are now and where they're going for comedy writers.

Dave's been in Edinburgh to see the first full on Fringe since 2019. What's changed? What hasn't? And what's all the fuss about Jerry Sadowitz?

The simple answer is "it's what BBC Writersroom are looking for this November." Dave and James return to this tricky question to help you work out your best strategy for entering the competition - with extra helpful advice from top writers who excel at the form.

Submissions open Wednesday 9 November and close Wednesday 7 December 2022. Details here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/send-a-script/

Sign up for Dave's fortnight of free emails (15-26 August) "What Is Comedy Drama?" [email protected]

Dave and James welcome back the kings of DIY moviemaking Danny Stack and Tim Clague. Fresh from their triumphant week at the Cannes Film Festival, the UK Scriptwriters team talk about making your own shows, selling them abroad, and how to make a name for yourself even if you don't know anyone in the business.

Commissioners say they love them, they remain hugely popular, nobody's writing them. Surely the answer is obviously yes yes yes! Dave and James think so but be aware of the high risks - and you'll need to think creatively about pitching the idea.

In Part 2 of the interview, Ashley Pharoah, co-creator of Life On Mars, explains the eight years of development that preceded the hit drama, and how it literally involved bags of money. And entertains us with tales of his other top-rated shows and, ah, Bonekickers.

There most certainly was for Ashley Pharoah, who went on to co-create of Life On Mars, one of the best comic drama series of the last 20 years. In Part 1, he talks about breaking into the industry through writing for soaps and making his own stuff, including Where The Heart Is and Around The World In Eighty Days.

Writing topical jokes for radio is one of the fastest ways to build your credits and get to know producers. With The Skewer winning bucketloads of awards, Scotland's Breaking The News and now a new Radio 4 Extra show DMs Are Open, there's never been a better time to write topical comedy. Learn the secrets of successful gag writing from Dave and James, and regular topical writers Dan Sweryt and Eleanor Hayward.