Tim Dawson

2 days 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.

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

What's the first thing you remember about your favourite sitcoms? The characters. Captain Mainwaring's pomposity. Basil Fawlty's simmering rage. Alan Partridge's desperate need for validation. Great comedy characters stay with us long after we've forgotten individual storylines or jokes. So how do you create memorable comedy characters? Let's take a look. Establish a key comic trait Every great comedy character needs a core trait that generates conflict and comedy.

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

Helen Lederer has been involved in comedy creation since the 1970s. We talk to her following her appearance on Pilgrimage: The Road Through the Alps and as she prepares to appear in the Fawlty Towers stage show. Tell us what you do in your job. I started at a weird post-grad course at drama school... then did a bit of TIE (theatre in education, OMG), then community theatre, then began writing my own material for stand-up comedy gigs in the 80s as part of the alternative comedy scene.

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

Many new comedy writers make the same mistake. They have an idea, sit down at their computer, and start writing their sitcom. Two weeks later, they have 30 pages of meandering scenes that go nowhere. A proper episode outline is essential. It is your roadmap. Without it, you don't know where you're going. What exactly is an episode outline? An episode outline is a document that maps out your entire episode before you start writing the script.

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

A member asks: I have written a script for television, but am thinking of entering it into a competition for radio scripts. How should I go about adapting it? Thank you for your question! Adapting from television to radio is a more complex process than many writers initially expect. Television... This content is for BCG Pro members. Already subscribed to Pro? Log in! Got a question for the doctor? Email [email protected]