I know I need to get some writing done. I can see a deadline looming over the horizon. But, as always, I have to contend with the little critic in my head who if not chanting 'that's shite', is off kidnapping ideas and holding them captive in the deepest recesses of my mind.
I wonder if I'm alone in this method - much of the time I can't write until I am really tired, so tired that I can't put up resistance to not writing.
Wish me funny thoughts and a sleepless night!
...comedy is in the ear of the listener.
Let's kick off with some good news. A bit of my material was used in episode 5 of the new BBC7 topical magazine sketch show, Newsjack this week. You can listen again or download the podcast here.
I'm really pleased to have anything on - it's another credit and is a great learning experience. It's keeping my mind focused on writing and such things are a comedy carrot on the end of a stick.
That said it also throws up equal confusion! The piece on that show that's mine is the one bit I almost deleted before sending in as I thought it was rubbish, yet it's go through. The other bits I thought were better haven't made the recording (as far as I know). I'm sure there is a lesson in there - I'm just not sure what it is!
There is a long standing debate as to whether woman are funny both as performers and writers. And the answer is yes. /debate.
But why is this in my mind? Well I've recently been submitting to Newsjack and am very pleased some of my material has got through to the recording stage even though it didn't make the edit for the broadcast show...yet. Newsjack has an open door submission policy and is a great initiative by the BBC to bring on new writers. Three episodes in and if you look at the contributors list so far you will see it is overwhelmingly men.
I certainly don't think it is a conscious decision by the producers and editors - far from it. Having had the pleasure of BBC comedy workshops and knowing in this accessible age of e-mail they soak up material sent to them and who sent it in is a secondary regard, there is no secret selection committee.
My suspicion is men are just braver or more deluded or more conceited ;) when it comes to sending material in. Have you ever met a man who doesn't think he is bloody hilarious? I'd love to know what the statistics of the submissions are. I think a lot of woman hold themselves back when it comes to comedy, frightened of coming across self-righteous, rude and/or bitchy. Luckily I have no qualms about these three qualities in myself.
I know some fantastically witty, observant and clever woman who in everyday life crack me up. Ask them to give writing comedy a go with me and they won't. Is being a (deliberately) funny woman not seen as feminine or attractive?
Well one woman who was funny to the core was the great Molly Sugden. I am unashamedly an Are you Being Served? fan and Mrs Slocombe's pussy has earned a deserved spot in comedy history. But, my favourite performance by this great character actress was when she played the extremely snooty Mrs Hutchinson in The Liver Birds. The following YouTube tribute is very sweet, I actually shed a tear watching it. Miss Brahms and Mrs Slocombe reunited to provide heaven with knickers!
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