Tim Dawson

United Kingdom

Editor at British Comedy Guide

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Articles

What's the story?

3 days ago | comedy.co.uk | Tim Dawson

On Saturday, Micheál Jacob and I ran a writers' room experience for new writers in Manchester. It was a fun morning - and we hope the charming group of writers who came along enjoyed it. Thanks to Comedy Lab's Tom Short for organising it. One of the issues we discussed was story generation. Devising viable stories seems to be one of the major problems new(er) writers face. I'm not entirely sure why this is.
Practical ideas - BCG Pro

5 days ago | comedy.co.uk | Tim Dawson

When developing your sitcom idea, it's tempting to dream big. Exotic locations, massive casts, elaborate set-pieces - all very exciting on paper. But here's the reality: television is a business. And businesses need practical, sustainable ideas. Your brilliant concept about time-travelling pirates might be creatively ambitious, but it's probably not getting commissioned. The most successful British sitcoms are usually very contained. The Royle Family rarely leaves the living room.
The Comedy Doctor on character versus situation

6 days ago | comedy.co.uk | Tim Dawson

A member asks: When coming up with a new idea for a sitcom, where should I start? Should I start with the characters or the situation? Thank you for your question. This is one of the most fundamental questions in sitcom development - for writers, at least! The honest... Confirm your subscription and start enjoying the benefits of Pro right away. Got a question for the doctor? Email [email protected]
Performance anxiety

1 week ago | comedy.co.uk | Tim Dawson

Stage fright is natural, particularly earlier in a stand-up career - but established comedians can also experience it. Here are some simple tips for dealing with stage fright. 1. Prepare relentlessly Know your material inside out. Rehearse your opening five minutes until you could deliver it in your sleep. When you're confident in your content, your brain has one less thing to panic about. Stage fright often comes from fear of the unknown - eliminate as many unknowns as possible. 2.
The Comedy Doctor on storylines

1 week ago | comedy.co.uk | Tim Dawson

A member asks: I am struggling to come up with original storylines for my characters. I like the premise of my sitcom and I feel like my characters are strong... Any advice on coming up with storylines? Thank you for your question! Strong characters and a solid premise are... Confirm your subscription and start enjoying the benefits of Pro right away. Got a question for the doctor? Email [email protected]
My Comedy Career: Elf Lyons

2 weeks ago | comedy.co.uk | Tim Dawson

Comedy performer Elf Lyons gives some really thoughtful and honest answers to our questions here:Tell us what you do in your job. Hello. My name is Elf. I make live comedy theatre shows and perform comedy - I started in stand-up comedy and now predominantly work in the vein of alternative comedy / spectacle shows / multi-genre work. I direct artists and help them find their show, develop their work and or help write jokes for their shows.
Jon Petrie's BBC Comedy Festival 2025 speech: "Financially we're all flapping our arms"

2 weeks ago | comedy.co.uk | Tim Dawson

Jon Petrie, the BBC's Director of Comedy, has given a speech at the BBC Comedy Festival in Belfast. One of his key messages was that, due to the rising costs of making TV comedy, the BBC is refocusing commissioning around "what's real and possible now". Here is what he said, in full. It's a genuine privilege to be here in Belfast - and in front of so many of the people who actually make this industry work.
The House, Episode 1: "Amicable Divorce"

2 weeks ago | comedy.co.uk | Tim Dawson

The first episode of our original sitcom is now available to listen to. This is something of a milestone for BCG Pro - we haven't put together a project like this before. Our hope is that members will be enthused by the results and keen to contribute to the next script. It's very important when contributing to any open door show - be it The House or Breaking The News or DMs Are Open or anything else - that prospective contributors actually listen to the programme.
My Comedy Career: Tim Reid

3 weeks ago | comedy.co.uk | Tim Dawson

Sitcom writer Tim Reid talks below about the benefits of comedy writing courses and building up a constant source of potential material. Tell us what you do in your job. I'm a comedy writer, podcaster and trainer. I'm probably best known for co-creating and co-writing TV sitcoms like Peter Kay's Car Share and Meet The Richardsons. I've worked with some of the biggest names in British comedy over the last 15 years.
Rooting your sitcom

3 weeks ago | comedy.co.uk | Tim Dawson

One of the most common weaknesses in sitcom scripts from new writers is a lack of authenticity. Their characters and situations float in a vague, generic space, never quite feeling real. Great sitcoms are rooted somewhere specific. Look at The Royle Family. It's unmistakably Mancunian - from the accents to... Confirm your subscription and start enjoying the benefits of Pro right away.