Any good ideas for a uk tv sit com?

Question

I have been on a script writing course, so know the techniques of writing.

I have a few ideas of my own, but any suggestions would be appreciated and anything funny to inspire me.

Answer 1

Got to base it in or around an internet cafe these days. The Yahoo community should provide you with plenty of material. Research past answers to various questions from various categories on this site & work round that. Good luck & see your work on TV soon!!!

Answer 2

I suggest a sit com about a 50's something Grandmother looking after a grandchild 2 days a week and working the other 3. Mostly centered around the babysitting bit. I am currently doing just this and when I look back on my week and recall the time I've had it is often hilarious!
There are days when the grandchild's Mum will say things like, "Don't let little Johnny eat some food or another, he gets the runs" this might seem a simple task the but you wouldn't beleive the lengths I have to go to avoid the "food" concerned. Friends offer it, you go into a shop and a 'kind' assistant gives it to 'little Johnny', yet on any other day this never happens! It's like the devil is after you!
Years ago a friend was looking after her Grandson for a day and feeding a neigbough's white cat at the same time, she took her 'eye of the ball' for a few minutes and this prize winning white persian ended up covered in permanent felt tip pen! The cat was happy to have the pen applied by a small boy but it was a very different story when an adult tried to remove it! Especially when the child was constantly getting into other mischeif resulting in the cat escaping (while soaking wet) and having to be recovered from the neighbour's bed, this was soaked and had to be changed before the neighbour returned etc etc you get my drift!
Grandparent ends up being completely nakered at work following day and dozes off at the keyboard, etc. You were a child once, ask your parents and grandparents what you got up to or ask parents of friends, they will love telling the tales and you've got all the 'life' experience you need.
Use the idea or not, Good Luck!

Answer 3

Woah, good question!
Sorry to go on a downer but if I were to furnish you with my ideas for a sitcom, would you not just run away and pocket the profits?
Love the answers above though. Frasier is my favourite comedy show. It's witty, intelligent, mocks pomposity, and has well defined characters who are not afraid to 'open up' and be vulnerable from time to time.
I don't know what makes a 'comedy' character successful - e.g. Reggie Perrin, Victor Meldrew, Basil Fawlty, Hyacinth Bucket, Edina Monsoon, Mrs. Merton, Alan Partridge, Father Ted, Frasier, David Brent - but I know I'll laugh at someone's vulnerability being exposed.
I suggest you stick with your ideas and if you have a script that makes you laugh then get in touch with Channel 4 or BBC3

Answer 4

Always thought of a castle, open to the public, that's a bit dilapidated(rusty suits of armour, broken swords), the staff who are supposed to man the castle and show the public around are just, hopeless! Spotty 24yr old virgin who takes the tickets, fat blimp of a bloke who is supposed to enthuse people with his monologues of historical stuff, would rather be at home on the internet chatting up foreign birds!, the ditzy girl who runs the souvenier shop, the appallingly racist handyman(though probably not in the current climate!), the authoritative security bloke(don't touch, don't touch!), Beryl, the sweet old lady who was bequeathed the castle, who now just cleans and potters about the place, and then there is William,("Proud name, proud heritage, that's me!"), who does the jousting and archery displays, who very nearly hits the target everytime!....All the time, always threatened with closure because not enough people go through the turnstiles, which incidentally always keep sticking because they need new bearings!

Have fun whatever you decide, i'm so jealous!

Answer 5

There are so many idea's ringing around in my head i don't know where to start ?, I'm actually writing one too, but I'm making my own life story the topic because Ive had a weird and wonderful life and my family are weird and wonderful too LOL.
I think with today's society you have so many topics to choose from.
i have not seen a good sit com set in fire station, or the underground in London, or an air stewardess, or a bad plumber or electrician.
Anyway good luck and all the best :-)

Answer 6

for good ideas, try watching old uk sitcoms such as fawlty towers, slapstick is highly underrated these days.
to make a sitcom really funny, I think it needs to be set somewhere entirely normal that viewers can relate to (think the IT crowd, almost everone can relate to an office style situation), then twist that situation. Use clever language, puns and the like and also, a little bit of surrealism can go a very long way :D

Answer 7

Firstly - what makes you laugh? Why not try writing in a similar genre…but not to the extent of copying or plagiarism.

Alternatively, be original & try to subvert the expected norms of the sitcom…for example a surreal comedy like Father Ted, Black Books, Spaced, Green Wing etc… or you could tackle & poke fun at the prejudices people have - e.g. Extras…

Answer 8

Is there anyway possible on earth you could write scripts for KUA and get some new episodes on the air. Rutledge is absolutely amazing. I live in LA and have never been to England but she makes me want to fly to London on the next flight out.
I Cr 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!
10-18-6

Answer 9

Keep it simple nothing too fancy. Make it believable and true to life! Don't make it as if when you are watching it you think "oh god that would never happen in real life"!

I liked the program that Jodi Albert done on Channel 5 called "Respectable"! Now that was funny and believable.

It also showed what a brilliant actress Jodi Albert is too!

Oh and good luck, hope to see your work on TV one day!

Answer 10

Good for you and wish you every success writing is not easy is it.
I think people are fed up with the "off the wall" type comedy and crave something normal down to earth they can relate too.
What about foster families and all the children they have huge scope for a good script and can have humour/drama etc
Not enough written about families with people who have disabilities living with them we are all not full of drama and serious we are like everyone else and have fun times too.
I love catherine tates "Gran" character down to earth wished she would do a proper series of her so funny.
Some of the major success comedies are true to life "Royal Family" so I would do one that makes it real.
Good luck