Sitcom Geeks

In this episode Dave and James weave together all the strands of the previous 221 to bring the podcast narrative to a pulsating climax... no they don't, this is sitcom where stories never end and people never grow. They talk instead about the best and worst sitcom endings of all time - and offer their final thoughts about how to approach this noble urge to create and complete your fabulous sitcom.

Looking back to when we began, back when people used to say "what's a podcast?". What has changed since 2015, and what's stayed the same? Dave and James look at the lessons learned (and mistakes repeated), featuring special guests our fabulous patrons.

Dave talks to writers Dana Fainaru and Hamish Wright about their brilliant new comedy Significant Other, out now on ITVX. Plus writing for long running shows, building scenes and a refusal to get bogged down in the misery of supporting Leeds United.

Dave and James discuss how to plan your next year of writing with purpose and intention - plus some surprising news about their own plans.

Bravo BCG Pro! Dave and James debrief on the hugely successful Big Comedy Conference, concentrating on the commissioners and producers who offered a rare mix of realism and hope. Plus a nod to the simple pleasures of meeting actual Geekers in real life for the first time.

Dave and James talk to Britain's hottest comedy drama writing star Neil Forsyth about his latest hit show The Gold, the new series of brilliant comic drama Guilt, Samuel Beckett, Eric & Ernie - and his early start at the world's most famous comedy school, Bash Street.

Bleak Expectations was an instant Radio 4 comedy hit and is now headed for the London stage... a mere 16 years later. Creator and writer Mark Evans talks Dave and James through the ups, downs, sideways, hope-crushing disappointments and finally triumphant arrival of the show to the West End.

There are quick wins to be had on your comedy writing career journey. And there'll be plenty of help with these at our upcoming weekend of Comedy Conferences. But as Dave and James explain, if you want a long lasting career you need ideas, purpose and a desire to help others.

Ooh listen - a podcast about why you should be thinking about making a podcast! No really, tonnes of useful advice about kickstarting your comedy career by writing for audio, listening to BBC Sounds and getting to know radio producers.

Writer, performer and founder of Female Pilot Club, Abigail Burdess, talks to Dave and James about the joy of getting your scripts in front of a crowd. Plus all the spooky news about her darkly comic debut novel Mother's Day - and why plotting books is not unlike stitching together your sitcom. Mother's Day is out now: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/147229551X/comedyguide-21/ Dave's Sun-DIY Conference is on Sunday 23rd April. https://www.davecohen.org.uk/learn-to-write-comedy-daves-sun-diy-conference/ The show Abigail mentions at the start is Dinner For One. https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/freddie-frinton-dinner-for-one/

It's a long time since Dave and James took a deep delve into the heart of storytelling. Find out why a flat tyre is not a plot. An inspector calls? Not a plot. What about when James blew eleven quid on an ill-fitting pair of designer trousers? Now we're getting somewhere. Our Geeky pair explain how to make stuff happen in your show.

Exciting news from the BBC: they're signing up 10 comedy writers, producers and directors to spend a year learning how to turn your ideas into actual programmes. Dave and James offer guidance for how to enter and tips to make your blurb stand out. And bring you up to date with the latest news from the BCG Pro comedy writers' conference. Be there or... no, no excuses, be there. BBC Bursary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/comedy/comedy-collective-bursary/ Big Comedy Conference: https://www.comedy.co.uk/pro/conference/ Build A Script - from "I've got an idea" to "I've written a first draft" in 8 weeks - free copy here: https://www.davecohen.org.uk/ 14 Problems with your pilot https://jamescary.samcart.com/products/14-problems-pdf-webinar Dave and Dan's topical course: https://www.comedy.co.uk/pro/inside_track/return-of-topical-comedy-shows/

What do you want to achieve this year? Still chasing the dream? Is it even the same dream that you think you want? There are still plenty of ways to succeed, as James says "as long as people like laughing and they like watching television".

Christmas and Sitcom. Two words that go together like turkey and stuffing. There are more than 300 Christmas sitcom specials and in this episode Dave and James unwrap their favourites with Pozzitive radio producer David Tyler and the actor Laura Aikman, who has appeared in a few great Christmas episodes herself (including Gavin & Stacey). What makes a great Christmas special? And why do we love them so much?

Ever get one of those days where it's just not happening? Days that turn into weeks... Dave and James confront the bane of the new writer's life, offer ways and means of pushing through it, and dare to suggest that it might not be a thing at all.

Part 2 of our wide-ranging chat with top comedy drama writer Lisa Holdsworth (Call The Midwife, New Tricks, All Creatures Great And Small) with advice to new writers, the joys and perils of show running and the importance of the Writers' Guild, which she currently chairs.

Dave and James talk to the brilliant comedy drama writer Lisa Holdsworth. What is comedy drama? If anyone knows Lisa does, she's written loads of them - New Tricks, Call The Midwife, All Creatures Great And Small. Tonnes of great advice if you're planning to enter the BBC Writersroom call for Comedy Drama Scripts.

Join James for this exclusive interview with Dave Cohen, whose new improved second edition of the indispensable Complete Comedy Writer is published on 21st November. Hear what happens when James throws random sitcom writing questions across the table to his co-host. Our first non-Zoom show for two years.

Fascinating chat with Scott Dikkers, legendary creator of The Onion. His is a great story of how someone with no connections to the comedy world can break in and create their own niche. This episode is packed with helpful insights from his excellent How To Write Funny trilogy of comedy writing books.

Producers, commissioners, script readers - everyone tells you what they want more than anything from a script is to hear "your authentic voice". What do they mean by that? The answer is different for everyone. Dave and James offer tips to help bring you closer to finding yours. Yes that means you! And you. Every single one of you.