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 78 - Paul Merton (Part 1)
Published: 17th May 2018. Length: 29 mins. Size: 40.3mb
Dave and James talk to Paul Merton - one of Britain's comedy superstars - about silent movies, class, and his phenomenal 30 years at the top of the profession.
Previous episodes
Episode 77 - John Finnemore (Part 2)
3rd May 2018. 28 minutes.
We're back with more John Finnemore talking about his Souvenir Programme, Mummo in Cabin Pressure and basking sharks. Recorded at the Bill Murray in Angel, Islington.
Episode 76 - John Finnemore (Part 1)
19th April 2018. 27 minutes.
James and Dave talk to John Finnemore about Double Acts, Cabin Pressure and the Souvenir Programme at a live event and Patreon subscriber meet-up at the Bill Murray in Angel...
Episode 75 - Words For Window
5th April 2018. 42 minutes.
Just over a week to go before the BBC Writersroom Comedy window closes - still time (just) to craft your own comedy gold, with the help of James and Dave's...
Episode 74 - Craft Of Comedy Cometh
29th March 2018. 45 minutes.
Steve Doherty talks to James and Dave about Llandudno Craft Of Comedy Festival in June - an amazing line-up, competitions to win and loads of good reasons why you'd be...
Episode 73 - Writing Windows and Open Doors
15th March 2018. 58 minutes.
Attention new writers! The BBC Comedy Script Window opens on 19 March 2018. Here's tonnes of useful writing tips from the people who'll be reading your scripts - Simon Nelson...
Episode 72 - Toby Davies (Part 2)
8th March 2018. 33 minutes.
James and Dave talk to Toby Davies about how one sketch can get you a movie. Seriously. Toby talks us through the multiple drafts needed to get Up All Night...
Episode 71 - Toby Davies (Part 1)
22nd February 2018. 38 minutes.
Toby Davies, the prolific comedy writer for kids' TV and now with a movie to his name, talks sketch writing, working with the biggest names in comedy and modestly reveals...
Episode 70 - Inside Newsjack (Part 2)
8th February 2018. 43 minutes.
James and Dave talk to brilliant Newsjack host Angela Barnes about how she approaches writing - and what you can do to improve your chances of getting jokes and sketches...
Episode 69 - Inside Newsjack (Part 1)
1st February 2018. 52 minutes.
How do you get material on to the BBC's main show for new writers? Dave and James talk to producer Adnan Ahmed and writers Laura Major and Mike Shephard about...
Episode 68 - How Many Is Too Many?
25th January 2018. 37 minutes.
Bonus episode! James and Dave with updated writing tips for 2018, plus answers to your questions about working with a partner and how many episodes is the right number.
Episode 67 - Writers' Guild Comedy Awards
18th January 2018. 35 minutes.
Dave and James are joined by writers Shai Hussain, Abigail Burdess and Neil Forsyth (writer of the brilliant Eric, Ernie And Me on BBC4 over Christmas) to discuss the winners...
Episode 66 - Graham Linehan (Part 2)
4th January 2018. 35 minutes.
The Joy Of Seinfeld. Dave, James and Graham Linehan all love this classic American sitcom, and in this episode they share that love with you.
Episode 65 - Graham Linehan (Part 1)
21st December 2017. 49 minutes.
The king of audience sitcom talks Ted tunes, radiator tests, the Birth of Bono and plenty more, including EXCLUSIVELY about the new version of The IT Crowd for the US,...
Episode 64 - The Nine Types Of Funny
7th December 2017. 45 minutes.
What do you think YOU are? James and Dave talk to Pauline McGowan, Virginia Gale and Kate Benson from research company The Nursery about the Nine Types of Comedy they...
Episode 63 - What Sort Of Writer Are You?
23rd November 2017. 44 minutes.
James and Dave are joined by ace radio writer and performer Carrie Quinlan to talk about writing for radio, the no-holds barred secrets about what it's like to work with...
Episode 62 - Back To Basics
9th November 2017. 35 minutes.
'When you build a house you don't start with the roof'. Dave and James talk about how to structure your sitcom, make your characters clearer and - you'll like this...
Episode 61 - Breaking In
26th October 2017. 41 minutes.
As the Writers' Guild launch a new award for best online show, James and Dave update their views about breaking in to comedy via the internet. Plus a short tribute...
Episode 60 - Pete Sinclair
12th October 2017. 59 minutes.
Jack Dee's co-writer Pete Sinclair joins us to talk about Bad Move, Lead Balloon, writing gags and a fascinating discussion about why audience sitcom is so hard to make.
Episode 59 - Notes on Notes
28th September 2017. 27 minutes.
Dave and James with more notes on notes: If you think getting notes is bad, try giving them. Plus another 10 page challenge. If you enjoy this podcast, why...
Episode 58 - Ben Elton, Newsjack, Patreon and more
18th September 2017. 46 minutes.
A special early edition of the show to give you time to catch up with Ben Elton's sitcom lecture on iPlayer, which Dave and James discuss at length. Plus Newsjack...
Contact Us
Email questions to sitcomgeeks@gmail.com
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
Theme music: Jane Watkins