STV back in the genre after 20 years

Scottish broadcaster STV has commissioned its first sketch comedy in 20 years.

Former Comedy Store producer Kim Kinnie is behind the show, titled /comedy, which will start off as an internet channel, with the best sketches compiled into a one-off, hour-long broadcast early next year.

An open call has gone out to comedy writers to contribute ideas for ‘short, fast paced sketches requiring minimal props/makeup that can be filmed in everyday locations’.

The writers’ brief says that: ‘Strong, returning characters are welcome, as are series of sketches around a specific location. This is a great chance to gain global online exposure through STV’s dedicated comedy site.

‘All sketches used online will be fully credited. As a shop window for your writing talent this is a tremendous opportunity to have your work professionally performed, filmed, edited and broadcast online, with the best sketches going on to the television special.’

However, although everyone else involved in making the online clips is professional, writers will not be paid unless they make it to the TV special.

Bobby Hain, managing director of broadcasting at STV, said: ‘We’re looking for the very best of Scottish writing talent so if you think you have the razor sharp wit of Armando Iannucci or you're shaping up to be the next Mitchell and Webb, we want to hear from you.’

Kinnie added: ‘There is a wealth of comedy talent in Scotland and we hope this exciting multimedia production for stv.tv and STV will bring out the very best our country has to offer. Whether you’re an established writer or just fancy a go at writing new, funny, smart sketch comedy, we want to hear from you.’

The website is set to go live this autumn. For more details on contributing, email forwardslashcomedy@stv.tv.

Published: 30 Jul 2010