Sitcom Geeks
A podcast series for those interested in the mechanics of situation comedy. James Cary and Dave Cohen discuss the art of sitcom writing for TV and Radio.
Episode 56 - Jason Hazeley
Published: 24th August 2017. Length: 45 mins. Size: 62mb
Dave and James talk to the co-writer of those Ladybird books, writer for Charlie Brooker, Philomena Cunk and Russ Abbot - Jason Hazeley. Oh, and he's the occasional keyboard player for Portishead. Course he is. He explains how he got started and has a theory that comedy is just music.
Previous Episodes
Episode 55 - Fringe Special
12th August 2017. 28 minutes.
James, Dave and special guest Abigail Burdess discuss the Edinburgh Fringe, how to do it and how to survive it. Warning: this recording also features a Belgian mime artist.
Episode 54 - Ask Us Anything
3rd August 2017. 50 minutes.
Dave and James' first foray into Facebook Live answering your sitcom-related questions is now a podcast, plus some thoughts on the recently announced BBC pilots. To watch it and see...
Episode 53 - Barry Cryer (Part 2)
20th July 2017. 39 minutes.
More tales from the comedy coalface with legend Barry Cryer including the first gay sitcom that never was, amazing double act Cleese & Dawson, and the first joke Barry sold...
Episode 52 - Barry Cryer (Part 1)
6th July 2017. 30 minutes.
Yes you read that right, James and Dave talk to comedy legend Barry Cryer about his work with Graham Chapman, and how David Frost shaped light entertainment.
Episode 51 - Working With Producers
22nd June 2017. 47 minutes.
Fascinating discussion with Lovesick writer Tom Edge, who chats with Dave and James about finding the best producers for your work (can be done), working for free (shouldn't be done)...
Episode 50 - Writers' Guild of Great Britain: Situation Critical?
8th June 2017. 48 minutes.
A special event organised by the Writers' Guild to discuss the future of sitcom, with legendary sitcom writers Marks and Gran and BBC Radio Comedy Executive Julia McKenzie. Hosted by...
Episode 49 - Tom Edge
25th May 2017. 40 minutes.
Dave and James prevent Tom Edge from getting any useful work done by turning up to his house and asking him questions about how he created and wrote Scrotal Recall/Lovesick...
Episode 48 - Paul Kerensa
11th May 2017. 32 minutes.
Writer/comedian/broadcaster Paul Kerensa (Miranda, Not Going Out and yes, Top Gear) talks to James about writing, performing, podcasting... and luck.
Episode 47 - Eric Chappell (Part 2)
27th April 2017. 50 minutes.
Part two of James's fascinating interview with Eric Chappell: More great insights into Only When I Laugh, Home To Roost and more - and the answer to the question 'will...
Episode 46 - Eric Chappell (Part 1)
13th April 2017. 43 minutes.
The Great Rigsby, Pt 1. James in lively and fascinating conversation with the great Eric Chappell, creator of Rising Damp, Only When I Laugh, Duty Free and many more great...
Episode 45 - Sketches
30th March 2017. 36 minutes.
Dave and James talk about sketches, as well as books and podcasts on writing. And another First Ten Pages is put under the spotlight.
Episode 44 - Challenges and Questions
16th March 2017. 43 minutes.
James and Dave return with two more ten page challenges, and tackle your questions - including story arcs, meeting producers, and the exact mathematical answer to 'how many plots per...
Episode 43 - John Lloyd (Part 2)
2nd March 2017. 53 minutes.
Dave and James conclude their discussion with comedy legend John Lloyd talking about Blackadder and, yes, another massive show that John Lloyd had a hand in, To The Manor Born.
Episode 42 - John Lloyd
16th February 2017. 47 minutes.
James and Dave celebrate Episode 42 by discussing Life, the Universe and Everything with comedy legend and original Hitchhiker's Guide co-writer John Lloyd. A funny and touching tour of Douglas...
Episode 41 - Finding the Right Producer
2nd February 2017. 47 minutes.
James Cary talks to comedy producer Steve Doherty (Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks) about sketches, The News Huddlines, getting out of London, trains and [link=http://bit.ly/2k5dV9K]The...
Episode 40 - Radio Highlights of 2016
19th January 2017. 40 minutes.
James and Dave, joined by Abigail Burdess and Kay Stonham, discuss the shows nominated for the Writers' Guild Best Radio Comedy Award - Guilt Trip, The Pin and John Finnemore's...
Episode 39 - Best TV Sitcoms of 2016
5th January 2017. 42 minutes.
James Cary and Dave Cohen are joined by Abigail Burdess and Kay Stonham to talk about the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards, particularly the shows nominated for Best TV...
Episode 38 - Series Arcs & Fourth Walls
15th December 2016. 28 minutes.
Dave and James talk about the pitfalls of story arcs, fixing characters and breaking fourth walls.
Episode 37 - It's All A Plot
1st December 2016. 44 minutes.
In this episode, Dave and James return to the pain and pleasure (and many other p's) of plotting. Plus two 'First Ten Pages'.
Episode 36 - Money
17th November 2016. 25 minutes.
In this slightly chaotic and brief edition recorded at the Writers' Guild of Great Britain, Dave Cohen and James Cary are joined by Kay Stonham, Carrie Quinlan, Joel Morris and...
Contact Us
Email questions to sitcomgeeks@gmail.com
Production Credits
Producer: Katie Storey
Theme: Jane Watkins
Biographies
James Cary is a comedy writer for BBC TV and Radio. His latest series is Bluestone 42 for BBC Three, which he co-created and wrote with Richard Hurst. He met Richard working on Series 1 & 2 of BBC's award-winning sitcom, Miranda. James has also written episodes of My Hero and My Family for BBC One. His radio credits include three series of Hut 33, four series of Think the Unthinkable, and sketch show, Concrete Cow. He has also written four series of Another Case Of Milton Jones with, er, Milton Jones for BBC Radio 4. sitcomgeek.blogspot.co.uk @sitcomgeek
Dave Cohen, a Perrier nominee in a previous century, was a founder member of the Comedy Store Players. In recent years he has become more known as a comedy writer, having written for Have I Got News For You and Not Going Out, and as a comic songwriter, co-creating the Radio 4 hit 15 Minute Musical and writing loads of songs for the hit BBC Childrens' Show Horrible Histories and ITV's Newzoids. His book How to be Averagely Successful at Comedy was published in 2013. davecohen.org.uk @cohendave