Jesse Armstrong is a fucking genius.

Sam and Jesse's Tips

1. If you've got a good/funny scene that's working- make it longer.
2. If you need a good line, write 10.
3. Target the people involved in the shows you love.
4. Start with episode 3 (not the 'how they met' episode)
5. Casting is crucial.
6. Dramatic plot with funny characters means it should work as a comedy.
7. Talk your plot through with someone else.
8. Hear your script read aloud early on (even when it feels Too early)
9. Know your tone (what show is it like? what actors are my characters like? etc.)
10. Surprise = funny

SUCCESSION

I love Peep Show

I'm not a comedy writer, let alone a successful one, so I have no clout to back this up, but my favourite comedy writing tip is from Jonathan Lyn's 'Comedy Rules,' and is the only rule I remember from it: relational gags. That is, not standalone funny lines, but things that are funny because of what they relate to. Lyn puts this as if it's all a matter of character's playng off each other, but I think it's also about the character in relation to objects and events. Example: the line 'I've broken my leg' from Michael Palin's 'Ripping Yarns. Not funny on its own, but here it is in context: a young Victorian man goes adventuring around the world and comes home with a mummified hand, which he puts on the mantelpiece in his parent's house as a decoration. Terrible things begin happening and the father, having decided the hand is cursed, strides to the mantelpiece, siezes the hand and raises it into the air. At this point he cries out in pain. 'What is it?!' says his wife. And he replies, looking surprised, 'I've broken my leg.'

Lyn says great American comedy writers like Harold Ramis would go through their scripts taking out the standalone gags leaving only the relational ones. This is what is known as 'punching the script up' (not to be confused with the idea that comedy should punch up not down).

How are they relatively flat in how they come across but responsible for something incredible as peep show

them watching tv is like the live action beavis and butthead.

And now i want to watch Peep Show! :)

This was a great interview - these live interviews normally suck but this was fun and helpful.

The Man Show is my favourite episode. Ironic.

Baby reindeer

cant find Jesse armstrong talks about Black Mirror anywhere....erhhhh

Write out the tips in the desciption

Second!

Thanks for sharing this...very helpful indeed...jolly good show mate...(Yes, I'm just saying things that I think a British person would say...)...but seriously, a real pisser(Ok, that wasn't serious...I'm sorry)...

If Sam Bain isn't a terrible human, then shame on me

Love these guys, but can't handle the cringey face rubbing and thoughtful nose pinching