Scallywagga Writers Interview

An interview with Kristian Smith, one of the people behind Scallywagga, about writing the second series...

After a shaky start, this likeable, quickfire sketch show has moved up a gear. There are nifty gags, and it hurtles quickly past anything like an average punchline. Carl 'right through, aren't I?' Rice and Luke Gell's inappropriate origami are particularly memorable. Good, rocky soundtrack, too.

Possibly the worst comedy ever made. Even a drain wouldn't laugh at this pish.

It's a comedy sketch show so, in time-honoured thecustard.tv fashion, we must say there were hits and there were misses. But, you ask, was the balance towards the former or the latter? And we can reveal a reasonably significant leaning towards.... hits. Congratulations, Scallywagga.

Scallywagga is that rare beast - a new sketch show that is more hit than miss, harnessing the power of the running gag almost as well as The Fast Show.

The cast look about 12, so if you'd rather be uplifted than made to despair of humanity by young people, I would suggest a restorative draught of the scallies now and again.

Scallywagga is definitely put together with a lot of care and a nice sense of visual coherence. Unfortunately, it's gone to all this trouble without getting the script right first. If it was giving a chance to some novice writers, that would be one thing. In fact, it's written by Stuart Kenworthy whose pedigree includes Smack the Pony and Green Wing.

Perhaps, rather than following his instincts, Kenworthy has tried too hard here to give BBC3 what he thinks they want (And, needless to say, he might be right.) Certainly, there's a big emphasis on youth culture, but also a reluctance to attack it with the kind of vigour that might put off the target audience. As a result, the comic punches constantly feel pulled - and what could have been some good dark laughs give way to pale smiles instead.

British Comedy Guide Editor: Stuart Kenworthy actually mentored a number of new comedy writers for this programme, thus this review is not entirely accurate

It wasn't hilarious but it wasn't stupid, cruel or crude, either.

This energetic sketch series from Green Wing and Smack the Pony scribe Stuart Kenworthy mixes confident performing with variable punchlines. It scores points for the lads comparing mobile functions and the bedroom organist, but for a first episode, the hit rate needs to be higher.

Filmed in and around Manchester, Scallywagga may be a touch raw around the edges. But it also happens to be very funny. Think The Fast Show for a new generation.