I also prefer full sketches and although I think gappy's is cleverer and the one I should like most, I have to agree that Lee's is the best in terms of structure and punch. It is indeed disgusting, so I won't be reading it again! 
Skit Comp 21 - 29.4.15 Page 2
Nick81 made me laugh. He used pictures. I like pictures. They were all pretty good, but Gappy gets my vote.
I've not written anything for a while, so I would greatly value any feedback on a Personal Message. 
I really liked Darren's Skippy & Lassie one, but he edited it. I feel bad giving to 2nd place, but courthouse it is then.
Oh,I forgot the Skippy sketch. It was good. Why did it disappear?
Just wondering Gappy and Lee you really do put good work on here and its very funny but why don't you use the same characters for each of your sketches so that we get used to them and accustomed to their humour. Just a thought
I've actually thought about that before but then it's really not in the nature of the skit comp. Which I started as a way to flex the writing muscles by setting topics for people that they might normally not touch or consider.
Once you start using the same characters, your scope becomes narrower and you're restricted to their world.
It would be an interesting exercise though to see a "running skit comp" where we'd test the abilities of a writer's to keep their characters interesting and funny, a sort of sitcom endurance race!
But unfortunately any spin off comps I've attempted have not been as popular and one was very controversial! 
But thanks
Quote: Lee @ 1st May 2015, 11:10 PM BST... and one was very controversial!
In the words of Oscar Wilde, there is only one thing worse than being talked about behind one's back: listening to One Direction.
Results coming...
Quote: Lee @ 1st May 2015, 11:10 PM BSTI've actually thought about that before but then it's really not in the nature of the skit comp. Which I started as a way to flex the writing muscles by setting topics for people that they might normally not touch or consider.
Once you start using the same characters, your scope becomes narrower and you're restricted to their world.
It would be an interesting exercise though to see a "running skit comp" where we'd test the abilities of a writer's to keep their characters interesting and funny, a sort of sitcom endurance race!
But unfortunately any spin off comps I've attempted have not been as popular and one was very controversial!
But thanks
Oh, ok, I see
Quote: Courthousecomedylab @ 30th April 2015, 5:35 PM BSTalthough I think gappy's is cleverer and the one I should like most, I have to agree that Lee's is the best in terms of structure and punch.
I often have trouble deciding whether to vote for the piece I think is the best or the one that made me giggle; also hard to decide between one-liners and longer pieces, like this week. probably I spend to much time thinking about it. 
Quote: bushbaby @ 1st May 2015, 10:52 PM BSTJust wondering Gappy and Lee you really do put good work on here and its very funny but why don't you use the same characters for each of your sketches so that we get used to them and accustomed to their humour.
Firstly, thanks for the kind words, much appreciated. 
Secondly, I'm not sure I could write stuff like that. I write sketches by extrapolating one single concept - either some silly set-up like this week's (imagine if the plot of Mega Python Vs Gatoroid* were played out in a crappy provincial natural history museum), or, more often, applying logical expansion to some tiny unimportant thing that really annoys me (Why do ATMs call their paper thingies advice slips? How can I best prove, at tedious length, that they don't strictly contain any "advice"?). But what I hardly ever start with, is a character, and so if I tried to do them again, all I'd do is write the same sketch again.
In general, I don't like runners even written by excellent sketch-writers, I don't think the world needs me to have a crack. 
*It's a real film. I stars Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. It was made somewhat later than 1987, though, so I found this surprising.
Quote: Lee @ 1st May 2015, 11:10 PM BST... the nature of the skit comp. Which I started as a way to flex the writing muscles by setting topics for people that they might normally not touch or consider.
Sec**ted. People sometimes think that if you have a set subject it's limiting. It's actually the opposite - you avoid the problem of finding an idea and worrying if it's apprpriate. To quote Shakespeare, f**k it - if you like something, go with it. One of the funniest routines I've seen is Eddie Izzard on How People Eat Biscuits.
Quote: bushbaby @ 1st May 2015, 10:52 PM BSTJust wondering Gappy and Lee you really do put good work on here
Tirded.
Quote: Lee @ 1st May 2015, 11:10 PM BSTIt would be an interesting exercise though to see a "running skit comp" where we'd test the abilities of a writer's to keep their characters interesting and funny, a sort of sitcom endurance race!
That would indeed be fun. 'Writer's Dock' did something along these lines a few years ago. I'd be up for running that but it might garner less reaction...?
Quote: gappy @ 2nd May 2015, 5:19 PM BSTI write sketches by extrapolating one single concept.
Good advice. I once read that a good sketch is one idea (or at most two that collide). My first 'proper' sketch was about coming out as straight. When I had the idea the skit practically wrote itself.
Quote: gappy @ 2nd May 2015, 5:19 PM BST*It's a real film. I stars Debbie Gibson and Tiffany.
I loved it when everyone who went to see the Spice Girls film went, 'It's not very good.' Of course it's not very good, it's the Spice Girls film, what were you expecting? Some Ingmar Bergman script, Kurosawa direction, Dustin Hoffman acting? 'Yerse, one expects so much more from The Girls...'
Quote: gappy @ 2nd May 2015, 5:19 PM BSTI don't think the world needs me to have a crack.
I already have a crack.
You can give it a go.
What, having a crack?
Crack away my friend, crack away!
(Have posted this sketch a while ago but its not often you are given the topic of insects so thought I should post again)
(Night, city rooftop, the mob have taken over a bank across the street, with hostages)
(Two police officers are trying to figure out a way to solve the problem)
Police officer: "Sir! What should we do? The mobsters are going to start killing the hostages!"
Police Chief: "Sounds like a job for 'THE GREAT WIZARD DIGON!" (Lightning strikes and a sudden downpour of rain occurs)
Police Officer: "He is in court today, sir, him and his wife are still settling their divorce"
Police Chief: "goddammit! How about 'Father Nature'? He could take care of this for us"
Police Officer: "He broke his leg, sir....in the shower"
Police Chief: "And what of 'The Valiant Viper'?"
Police Officer: "In Disneyland for the weekend, sir..."
Police Chief: "'Courageous Crow'?"
Police Officer: "Moving to a new nest."
Police Chief: "'Nauseous Ninja?'"
Police Officer: "Family bereavement"
Police Chief: "'The Tree Man'?"
Police Officer: "He was chopped down and used for paper, sir"
Police Chief: "Then I guess we're stuck with (dramatic pause, camera zooms on Police Chief) 'Bee Boy'."
(Bee Boy falls painfully out of the sky, his wings barely holding him up. Bee boy is made up of normal-sized human legs, a human head, a bee's body and tiny, useless bee arms)
Bee Boy: "I don't think I can fight today, sir. Some little kid looked at me funny..." (He picks himself up off the ground, in clear pain, a wing still twitching)
(Police Chief interrupts)
Police Chief: "No! You didnt, did you?"
Bee Boy: "Im sorry, but I stung him... I don't have much time left"
(Two more police officers enter)
Police Officer #2: "Wassup 'Bee Boy'?"
Bee Boy: "Cmon guys, im not in the mood"
Police Officer #3: "You still a virgin, 'Bee Boy'?" (Both officers laugh)
Police Officer #2: "Y'know, I heard that it is nearly impossible not to get laid in a bee hive...yet you still manage it? (Officers burst into even more laughter)
Police Officer #3: "Kinda impressive id say!"
(Police Chief turns to the two officers, motioning his hand across his neck to signal Bee Boy is dying, both police officers go into silence)
(Bee Boy collapses to the ground, stretching an arm up)
Bee Boy: "Avenge meeee"
Police Chief : (Turns away to face the officers) "We lost a true hero today. He may not have been the strongest, the fastest, the smartest, the most attractive or the nicest person to be around - really, he was an all-round dick. But, he tried his best, andthat's all we - "
('Bee Boy' interrupts)
Bee Boy: "Not dead yet" (He says as the last of his life leaves his body and his eyes fully shut)
Ha!