Peter C Hayward wins Sitcom Geeks Script Challenge

Night Crew, Peter C Hayward's comedy set on a space ship, has won the first BCG Pro Sitcom Geeks Script Challenge.

Sitcom Geeks podcast co-host James Cary says: "This was a really funny, warm-hearted sci-fi comedy with lots of jokes, engaging characters and a pleasing resolution that made it really stand out."

A delighted Peter told BCG: "I am severely disappointed that my serious dramatic piece was so completely misread by the judges."

The competition, open to BCG Pro members, launched in September. James and co-host Dave Cohen read the first ten pages of the 68 scripts before narrowing down to a long, then shortlist.

Dave comments: "For the longlisted entries, we read the whole script and came across great characters, funny stories and, we're delighted to say, jokes."

The runner-up was Winning At Life by Anna Mackintosh Phoenix, which the hosts describe as having "strong central characters with clear desires and goals, written with panache and passion."

Three more scripts were highly commended:

Extramarital by Lindsay Sharman - "Laugh-out loud moments (including stage directions) that grabbed us and left us wanting more."

Full House by Emily-Jane Clark - "A really warm-hearted comedy that felt like a place where we wanted to spend more time."

Third Wheel by Jody Wiltshire - "A well-written, modern show with plenty of attitude and lots of potential."

Hayward will now be offered further script advice and guidance on how to take the project forward, and will record an episode of Sitcom Geeks in which Cohen and Cary will discuss his script in more detail.

Other commitments allowing, the Sitcom Geeks Script Challenge will return in the winter.

---

To hear comments and advice related to the scripts that were entered into this competition listen to Sitcom Geeks