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 51 - Working With Producers
Published: 22nd June 2017. Length: 47 mins. Size: 65.2mb
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) and coping with failure and rejection (yes, happens to everyone).
Previous Episodes
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...
Episode 35 - Off the Bus, You Loser
3rd November 2016. 34 minutes.
Dave and James talk about what makes a sitcom character - and the importance of familiarity, flaws and lack of self-awareness. Plus another brief appearance from the rodents.
Episode 34 - Hell No! That's My Show
20th October 2016. 43 minutes.
Dave and James look at three First Ten Page pages, and answer some listener questions, including what happens when you switch on the TV and realise someone has got to...
Episode 33 - Idiots
6th October 2016. 35 minutes.
We all love Dougal, Trigger and Bubble. There is a fine traditional of idiocy in sitcoms. James and Dave talk about the joys and challenges of idiots - and how...
Episode 32 - Sketches
22nd September 2016. 38 minutes.
With the return of Newsjack on Radio 4 Extra, James and Dave explain why every wannabe sitcom writer should be brushing up their topical sketches.
Episode 31 - The Podcast That Wasn't
8th September 2016. 9 minutes.
In this shorter episode, James answers an email and recommends other listening that should be of interest to sitcom writers. Back to normal soon. Promise!
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