Ask a Sitcom Writer anything

59 Questions

Last Answer on December 19, 2012

Have you ever heard of someone not "in the business" randomly writing a sitcom pilot or script that has gotten picked up?

Asked by HobbyScriptWriter almost 13 years ago

I can't think of any comedy scripts where this happened. I think CSI is an example of it on the drama side. But, and I cannot over emphasize this... It is EXTREMELY hard to do.

834 Votes

Charlie Sheen chaos aside, what on EARTH is so special about "Two-and-a-Half Men" that's made it as successful as it's been? Seems just as by-the-numbers as the next sitcom, what is it that's created such a huge audience?

Asked by JP almost 13 years ago

Sometimes I like to be the bigger person and think why do I get to decide what sitcom is funny/original/worth the ratings? I mean if millions -MILLIONS- of people love Two and a Half Men they can't all be wrong. Then I watch Two and a Half Men - and I'm as stumped as you are. My best guess is that it's easy. You get home from a hard day at the office and sometimes it's nice to not have to think. The characters are basic. You know what they're going to do. The plot lines are easy to follow. You know what's going to happen. And it's chock full of extremely dirty jokes that we're not allowed to do on other shows so it send those "They went there" shivers down your spine. Also there are fart jokes.

830 Votes

What made you choose to become a writer? What would you reply with when people said it was too hard to make it as a writer?

Asked by Hunter about 12 years ago

I always knew this is what I wanted to do. I assumed it's what everyone wanted to do. And since everyone can't be a sitcom writer they "settle" for being a doctor, lawyer, indian chief whatever. Imagine my surprise when I discovered people actually want to be things like doctors and save lives instead of writing dick jokes. Crazy. How would I reply to being told it was hard to make it as a writer? I guess I'd say I can't imagine doing anything else. This is my dream job. It's worth putting in the effort. Someone has to be the lucky one who gets to do it. Why not me? But I'd also say that I'm not under any illusions of this being a cake walk. I came to Los Angeles knowing that if I didn't find meaningful writing work in five years I'd go back to the East Coast and re-think my career choices. I wanted to be a writer. I didn't want a career as a want-to-be writer.

828 Votes

Do most sitcom writers start by being a writer's room PA or Writer's assistant?

Asked by funnygirl almost 13 years ago

Short answer -If not most at least a good chunk. If you're starting from scratch it is the easiest (not easy) way to get on a staff. Most of the shows I've been on the most senior writers' assistant gets to write a script. If it's good you might even get moved up to staff writer. At the least you learn the ins and outs of a writers' room. You meet all the writers and if you have any talent we are all dying to help you out. (that is 100% sarcasm free - we know how hard the assistants work and we want them to succeed) I would say the second most common way to get your foot in the door is through one of the fellowships or writing programs some of the networks and studios offer.

825 Votes

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What do you think was the most underrated sitcom of the past 10 years?

Asked by Trevor almost 13 years ago

This is tough. I think Strangers with Candy, an old Amy Sedaris show on Comedy Central should have gotten the audience of a 2 and 1/2 Men. I think Spaced a British show starring Simon Pegg is close to perfect. Actual American Network Sitcoms? Right now not enough people watch Community (perhaps too insider?). And not enough people watch Cougar Town (perhaps they still think it's a show about an old woman humping young boys?) in my humble opinion.

823 Votes

Do fights about jokes in the writer's room get heated?

Asked by Sue about 12 years ago

OMG yes. Hours are long. Deadlines are fast approaching. You're tired. You're stressed. What's the best way to take it out? Argue with someone over which dick joke is funnier. It happens all. the. time.

815 Votes

Do most of your writing colleagues come from stand-up? What other disciplines tend to produce TV comedy writers?

Asked by GorgeousGeorge almost 13 years ago

There is the occasional stand-up on a writing staff, but it's far from the majority. I would say there are a lot more people with improv backgrounds.

810 Votes

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Sitcom Writer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Have you ever heard of someone not "in the business" randomly writing a sitcom pilot or script that has gotten picked up?

Charlie Sheen chaos aside, what on EARTH is so special about "Two-and-a-Half Men" that's made it as successful as it's been? Seems just as by-the-numbers as the next sitcom, what is it that's created such a huge audience?

What made you choose to become a writer? What would you reply with when people said it was too hard to make it as a writer?

Do most sitcom writers start by being a writer's room PA or Writer's assistant?

Also on Jobstr...

What do you think was the most underrated sitcom of the past 10 years?

Do fights about jokes in the writer's room get heated?

Do most of your writing colleagues come from stand-up? What other disciplines tend to produce TV comedy writers?

Sitcom Writer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Have you ever heard of someone not "in the business" randomly writing a sitcom pilot or script that has gotten picked up?

Charlie Sheen chaos aside, what on EARTH is so special about "Two-and-a-Half Men" that's made it as successful as it's been? Seems just as by-the-numbers as the next sitcom, what is it that's created such a huge audience?

What made you choose to become a writer? What would you reply with when people said it was too hard to make it as a writer?

Do most sitcom writers start by being a writer's room PA or Writer's assistant?

Also on Jobstr...

What do you think was the most underrated sitcom of the past 10 years?

Do fights about jokes in the writer's room get heated?

Do most of your writing colleagues come from stand-up? What other disciplines tend to produce TV comedy writers?

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