BBC writers' contest launched

Full details have been released of the BBC’s sitcom writing challenge The Last Laugh.

As previously reported on Chortle,  the project invites novice comedy scribes to complete scripts created by some of the top names in the business.

Carla Lane,  Marks & Gran and The Peep Show's Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong - have written the first 20 minutes of eight new sitcoms, leaving the endings open to new writers.

The initiative will be launched with a programme on BBC3 on  March 19, hosted by Dara O’Briain, pictured.

He said: ”The world always needs new jokes, and new jokers. And this is a series that gives a leg up to the new talent who could create the Fawltys, Brents and Del Boys of the future."

More than 35,000 Last Laugh books have been published, giving details of how to enter, which will be distributed through bookshops and libraries.

After the initial whittling down of entries, a judging panel comprising The Office producer Ash Atalla, Friends writer Adam Chase and Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps actress Natalie Casey will select five endings to go through to the original writers, who will choose their favourite.

Then one of the shows will be made into a comedy pilot for BBC3.

Carla Lane’s idea, Some Day I'll Find Me, is about a woman’s midlife crisis; while other scenarios include civil servants on the Hebrides (entitled Last Quango in Harris), two pensioners growing old disgracefully, and a transsexual madam and her two rent boys.

A similar scheme for novel writers, End of Story, attracted 17,000 entrants. Last Laugh is similarly open to anyone who doesn’t earn a living from scriptwriting.

BBC3 controller Stuart Murphy said: "Everyone acknowledges that getting into comedy writing is notoriously difficult, but with End of Story we proved that the barriers can be blown away. You don't have to be part of some exclusive television circle of contacts.

 "At the same time, we hope to tap into some new and innovative comedy talent, because the truth is that good comedy can come from anywhere, from any direction, and we want to pick up on and develop new talent through The Last Laugh."

Bain added: "Unlike in America, in the UK there's no real career structure for new sitcom writers, because there are so few team-written shows which support new writers.

 "This makes starting out hard - but the plus side is there is a real possibility, if you're good, of getting your own show on TV.

 "If you've ever thought of writing a sitcom, The Last Laugh could be a good place to start."

For more information, visit the official website. Scripts will be available for download from there from March 28. The deadline for entrants will be Friday May 6.

Published: 4 Mar 2005