91热爆

Introduction

Do you ever watch sitcoms on TV and think "I could do that"? Have you got the funny lines? The witty quips? A knock-out ending? But you just don't know to where to begin.

Well here's your chance to have The Last Laugh.

听

End of Story, the 91热爆 THREE project which urged the public to complete short stories penned by some of the UK's top authors, has given rise to a new challenge - The Last Laugh.

Some of the top names in comedy writing - including Carla Lane, Marks & Gran and The Peep Show's Bain & Armstrong - have written the first part of eight brand new sitcoms.

Now 91热爆 THREE is laying down the gauntlet to the public to put their funny lines on the line and complete them.

An amazing 17,000 entries were received for End of Story, making it the biggest short story writing competition in the UK. A number of the finalists are now in talks with agents.

Stuart Murphy, Controller of 91热爆 THREE, said: "End of Story demonstrated that there is a massive interest out there in writing and it seemed natural to follow up its success by turning the format towards writing for television.

"Everyone acknowledges that getting into comedy writing is notoriously difficult for the regular man or woman in the street, 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 out there, 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."

Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain contributed to a number of sketch shows before graduating to their own series, The Peep Show.

They acknowledge that the situation in Britain isn't overly helpful for developing new comedy writing talent but The Last Laugh could help to change that:

"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."

While Jesse and Sam could be regarded as some as the new guys on the comedy block, Carla Lane has to be the doyenne of British comedy writing.

The creator of Butterflies, Bread and The Liver Birds is also very enthusiastic about the opportunity The Last Laugh provides for new writing talent:

"If you want to become a comedy writer now is your chance. The Last Laugh is dedicated to those of you who have the urge to write. Just go on and enter the competition.

"It has attracted an excellent range of comedy writers who have contributed their scripts and we are asking ordinary people, who want to get into writing, to finish them.

"This is a wonderful opportunity that I never had. Take advantage of it."

Like End of Story, The Last Laugh will kick off with a launch programme in March, then there will be a results series in the autumn, liberally spliced with comedic bon mots and moments from classic sitcoms, with rising star Dara O'Briain presenting.

Says Dara: "It's a pleasure to be involved in any series that manages to shed some light onto both the art of writing great sitcoms and the even murkier art of getting your own sitcom on the telly.

"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."

After the initial whittling down of entries, a judging panel - 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 to choose their favourite.

The prize? One of the scripts will become a comedy pilot for 91热爆 THREE, televisual home of Little Britain, The Mighty Boosh, The Smoking Room and Monkey Dust.