Introduction
Do you ever watch sitcoms on TV and think "I could do that"? Have
you got the funny lines? The witty quips? A knock-out ending? But you
just don't know to where to begin.
Well here's your chance to have The Last
Laugh.
Μύ
End of Story, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE project which urged the
public to complete short stories penned by some of the UK's top authors,
has given rise to a new challenge - The Last Laugh.
Some of the top names in comedy writing - including Carla Lane,
Marks & Gran and The Peep Show's Bain & Armstrong
- have written the first part of eight brand new sitcoms.
Now Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE is laying down the gauntlet to the public to put their
funny lines on the line and complete them.
An amazing 17,000 entries were received for End of Story, making it
the biggest short story writing competition in the UK. A number of the
finalists are now in talks with agents.
Stuart Murphy, Controller of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE, said: "End of Story demonstrated
that there is a massive interest out there in writing and it seemed
natural to follow up its success by turning the format towards writing
for television.
"Everyone acknowledges that getting into comedy writing is notoriously
difficult for the regular man or woman in the street, but with End of
Story we proved that the barriers can be blown away.
"You don't have to be part of some exclusive television circle of contacts.
"At the same time, we hope to tap into some new and innovative
comedy talent out there, because the truth is that good comedy can come
from anywhere, from any direction, and we want to pick up on and develop
new talent through The Last Laugh."
Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain contributed to a number of sketch shows
before graduating to their own series, The Peep Show.
They acknowledge that the situation in Britain isn't overly helpful
for developing new comedy writing talent but The Last Laugh could help
to change that:
"Unlike in America, in the UK there's no real career structure for
new sitcom writers, because there are so few team-written shows which
support new writers.
"This makes starting out hard - but the plus side is there is
a real possibility, if you're good, of getting your own show on TV.
"If you've ever thought of writing a sitcom, The Last Laugh could be
a good place to start."
While Jesse and Sam could be regarded as some as the new guys on the
comedy block, Carla Lane has to be the doyenne of British comedy writing.
The creator of Butterflies, Bread and The Liver Birds is also very
enthusiastic about the opportunity The Last Laugh provides for new writing
talent:
"If you want to become a comedy writer now is your chance. The Last
Laugh is dedicated to those of you who have the urge to write. Just
go on and enter the competition.
"It has attracted an excellent range of comedy writers who have contributed
their scripts and we are asking ordinary people, who want to get into
writing, to finish them.
"This is a wonderful opportunity that I never had. Take advantage of
it."
Like End of Story, The Last Laugh will kick off with a launch programme
in March, then there will be a results series in the autumn, liberally
spliced with comedic bon mots and moments from classic sitcoms, with
rising star Dara O'Briain presenting.
Says Dara: "It's a pleasure to be involved in any series that manages
to shed some light onto both the art of writing great sitcoms and the
even murkier art of getting your own sitcom on the telly.
"The world always needs new jokes, and new jokers. And this is
a series that gives a leg up to the new talent who could create the
Fawltys, Brents and Del Boys of the future."
After the initial whittling down of entries, a judging panel - The
Office producer Ash Atalla, Friends writer Adam Chase and Two Pints
Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps actress Natalie Casey - will select
five endings to go through to the original writers to choose their favourite.
The prize? One of the scripts will become a comedy pilot for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE,
televisual home of Little Britain, The Mighty Boosh, The Smoking Room
and Monkey Dust.
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