tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post8188257525702868133..comments2024-03-22T07:38:11.573+00:00Comments on Sitcom Geek: Getting out at the TopJames Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01315185952705396144noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-44253883384581583582010-02-22T22:27:16.066+00:002010-02-22T22:27:16.066+00:00I don't know if i would agree with a team carr...I don't know if i would agree with a team carrying on writing for my series, with me just having an 'executive producer' role. It would be like watching your beautiful baby - which you cherished and loved more than anything - grow up to be an ugly, (possibly criminal) idiot that you are ashamed to have in your family - but they still bear your surname.<br /><br />Actually, who am i kidding? I'd take the money and run!JohnnyDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08551553847663931590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-73084119635959806112010-02-07T18:14:37.130+00:002010-02-07T18:14:37.130+00:00Please please please carry on writing hut 33 i cam...Please please please carry on writing hut 33 i came across the show by accident but i think it is one of the best radio comedy show i have listen too over the last 30 years..<br /><br />If it was not for such strict nanny state rules about what is right and wrong to show it would make a good tv show as well..<br /><br /><br />regards<br /><br />DavidHas the world gone mad?https://www.blogger.com/profile/17103072703325625402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-69926832042371362222010-02-05T21:42:01.302+00:002010-02-05T21:42:01.302+00:00Hi James
I think your point to Mr. Smarter is con...Hi James<br /><br />I think your point to Mr. Smarter is connected to the fact that many UK sitcoms are authored versus the show runner/team writing experience in the US. Most US writers [of successful shows] do eventually leave their shows, but as writers only, and continue in a producing role, whereas over here it's all about the show's writer(s) carrying the baton or dying with the show. <br /><br />I've never quite understood the politics behind that. I write comedy yet am very aware there are much funnier writers out there; what a privilege it would be to have some of those great writers work on a show that I created leaving me free to work on other projects. <br /><br />Have a super weekend. Look forward to having a nose at your blog.Jaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12300847214083125959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-3708157021053976162010-02-03T23:09:51.804+00:002010-02-03T23:09:51.804+00:00I understand the mechanics of TV schedules and all...I understand the mechanics of TV schedules and all that - and I can see how that makes a difference. Moreover Americans have scales of productions and writing teams that allow for numerous episodes. But the British system has evolved separately for a reason.<br /><br />The thing I'm getting at - which I know will never convinced you Smarter than the Average - is that in Britain, writers feel that they can, and probably should, stop writing a show before it appears that they're doing it too much for the money, or before it appears they don't know when to stop. It's partly a subjective thing that I feel as a writer.<br /><br />I get the sense that in America, if a writer feels he's done enough work on a show, he leaves and the show continues - and that he would expect that to happen. If I had my own hit sitcom in the UK and decided to quit after for series, and the BBC or whoever said 'Okay, we'll take it from here with other writers', I'd be both surprised and offended. In the USA, it's the norm. It is a trend and a factor, albeit a small one, which just isn't the case in USA.James Caryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01315185952705396144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-70284969473682702402010-02-03T20:39:32.524+00:002010-02-03T20:39:32.524+00:00Also, the reason US sitcoms tend to run longer is ...Also, the reason US sitcoms tend to run longer is rather more prosaic - it's to do with the way television schedules have traditionally been divided into 22-24 week seasons (hence why they don't refer to programmes by 'series'), whereas in the UK they're divided into 6/13 week blocks.Smarter Than The Averagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18348940489070057986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-31129759048567663002010-02-03T20:35:40.497+00:002010-02-03T20:35:40.497+00:00Without getting into specifics (such as Pegg et al...Without getting into specifics (such as Pegg et al expressing their desire to produce a 3rd series of Spaced),a handful of examples over a period of 30 years (if we use Fawlty Towers as a starting point) isn't really a trend. The Office, Extras and Blackadder came back for specials, too.Smarter Than The Averagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18348940489070057986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-14676221728864689372010-02-03T13:05:30.226+00:002010-02-03T13:05:30.226+00:00Hi James - great blog: have bookmarked and will b...Hi James - great blog: have bookmarked and will be following regularly!Griffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08379326268635191248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-14543149520708004772010-02-03T12:50:18.049+00:002010-02-03T12:50:18.049+00:00To answer Smarter Than The Average, Spaced, Green ...To answer Smarter Than The Average, Spaced, Green Wing and Black Books are all sitcoms that have gone out whilst still on top form so there is probably enough evidence to suggest a bit of a trend.<br /><br />Personally I think the difference is in the number of writers, in the UK sitcoms tend to have one or two writers who may feel spent or bored after a couple of series, whereas in the US they have a huge number of writers working on each show so they can then stretch them out longer.Tony Cowardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16242928679293439268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-47469712854287844312010-02-02T17:46:51.698+00:002010-02-02T17:46:51.698+00:00Hello, Sarah. Thank you for kind words about Hut 3...Hello, Sarah. Thank you for kind words about Hut 33. And I do agree with you about Scrubs, which feels more like soap than sitcom at the moment. I have drifted away from it in recent seasons.<br /><br />As regards Frasier, I'd just like to point that by season 7, Frasier had done over 130 episodes, which is way longer that almost any UK sitcom (eg. Last of the Summer Wine). So I take the point, but reckon that the Brits still have a long way to go on this one.<br /><br />Incidentally, Frasier is generally a thoroughly inspiring show to watch in the mornings on Channel 4. It really reminds you that intelligent, farcical, clever character comedy is possible and sustainable.James Caryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01315185952705396144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-8025954984132736562010-02-02T17:36:38.714+00:002010-02-02T17:36:38.714+00:00So, only about three or four British sitcoms actua...So, only about three or four British sitcoms actually stopped of their own accord "on top"? Not really a tradition or habit, as far as I can see.Smarter Than The Averagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18348940489070057986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-27337443008695381772010-02-01T18:20:31.042+00:002010-02-01T18:20:31.042+00:00I realise that I have no real authority to challen...I realise that I have no real authority to challenge your views of sitcoms at all, as merely a casual watcher and listener of sitcoms, but I feel the need to at least air my opposing opinion.<br /><br />There's nothing that disheartens me more when a sitcom outlives its best work, as in most cases the quality of episodes take a great decline after their peak. You mentioned Frasier which is my personal favourite - but I rarely watch the episodes beyond series 7 as I feel the show looses its dynamic. The characters start to change and the situations either repeat themselves or become ridiculous. Surely the whole essence of a sitcom is for the "sit" to remain the same? Or am I just old fashioned?<br /><br />Scrubs was another sitcom that suffered by running for too long. Season 7, in particular, was dire. I am thoroughly enjoying How I Met Your Mother, but can feel it starting to go stale. I applaud those, like Cordon and Jones, who decide to cut their darlings to prevent them from suffering the same fate.<br /><br />However, to totally trample my comments: I adore Hut 33! Please never stop writing it... :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01301172243796537518noreply@blogger.com