Sitcom Geeks

Writer, producer and acclaimed comic novelist Lissa Evans tells us what it was like directing and producing Father Ted - and what makes a funny script.

James and Dave discuss the importance, if you want to get on in comedy, of having A Plan. Plus we announce the winner of Dave's Making A Scene Of It competition.

Dave announces the shortlist for the Making A Scene Of It competition, James reports back from his sitcom webinar about character - plus some surprising conclusions are drawn from the great Tuesdays Are Funny experience.

Top stand-up and BGT winner Lee Ridley aka Lost Voice Guy shares his amazing story of comedy success, the influence of heroes The League Of Gentlemen and Lee Evans, the new series of Ability on Radio 4 and his hilarious book I'm Only In It For The Parking, out in paperback on 11 March.

In today's episode James explores creating new characters using Jessica the fictional celebrity chef. And Dave launches #TuesdaysAreFunny the weekly 8:30pm Twitter Sitcom Geekery Watchalong.

Welcome to a new year of comedy writing, as Dave talks about writing topical comedy (hence the rejection and waste), James tries to enforce good habits for writers (other jolly news) and Dave launches If Only I Had The Time, his short book about trying to write when there's a pandemic going on.

Dave and James reveal their plans for next year, including the launch of The Situation Room, home for James's brilliant new online sitcom writing masterclass. Meanwhile Dave will be finding out again what it's like to be starting out as a new writer as he plans the spring publication of his first novel.

Dave and James look back on the closed down year - what is comedy drama, scene competitions and a little shard of light and love for our fellow comedy scriptwriters.

Recorded infuriatingly three days before the BIG BBC COMEDY ANNOUNCEMENT we had been trailing for the last three episodes - but still lots to report here about BBC changes.

Big changes at BBC Writersroom - they want your comedy drama scripts NOW. Plus part 2 of our fascinating chat with Victoria Wood biographer Jasper Rees. He reveals all about her hopes and successes, extraordinary confidence, and relationships with Julie Walters and the gang who stayed with her through years of fabulous shows.

Part one of our revealing interview with Jasper Rees, author of the brilliant Let's Do It Victoria Wood biography. 'Everyone thought they knew her but they were wrong, it was she who knew them.' The story of dinnerladies, and Victoria's advice to aspiring sitcom writers.