Inside The Writers' Room

What's it like writing a sitcom with a team of writers? We hear from Greg Daniels (Parks and Recreation, The Office) and Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong (Fresh Meat, Peep Show) to find out what they look for when they're putting a group of writers together.
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[@SamuelDaram]

This video is a real treat. Only eight minutes?

[@dextrodemon]

lol that american guy is so sombre, you wouldn't think he's in comedy from his demeanor.

[@SweetSirenia]

I think most writers aren't particularly comfortable in front of the camera. Like the British guys said, only some people in the room are "sparky." Whenever I go to panels featuring writers, they're usually pretty cerebral and introverted.

[@TheBlueEspeon]

A lot of writers express themselves more comfortably in their craft than in front of other people.

[@ishmael802]

Bro he facilitated The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Parks and Recs and The Office (US)

[@dranipani]

Thanks for sharing.

[@dcadapted2221]

I love this: The UK showrunners say when hiring writers they're most concerned (90%) with the person's ability to write well, whereas the US showrunner is almost entirely interested in hiring people with whom he can "get along." The Brit guys go on to say they like having a mixture of personalities because it helps with creativity and when evaluating ideas, whereas the American showrunner talks about having to go out and ask someone like the prop master for his opinion on a new joke because the American writers are too much alike! Is it any wonder *at all* that most UK comedies are so much better than most American comedies?

[@dcadapted2221]

aaronsdavis One reason is Americans don't get to see most Brit comedy. Sure, there is bad Brit comedy just as there is good American comedy, but in general I believe most Brit comedies are more creative and interesting than most American stuff. It's why so many American shows are just local versions of Brit originals, such as The Office, The Big Bang Theory (heavily "inspired" and "influenced" by Spaced), etc.

[@EisforEvil]

DC Adapted Funny people keep bringing up The Office when it isn't a top tier comedy show here. What British show can compete with say...Arrested Development?

[@sqrboro]

+DC Adapted It's all subjective, though. I've never seen a British sitcom that I thought was even remotely as funny as what I call my "Holy Trinity" - King of the Hill, The Simpsons and Seinfeld. The styles of humor you're exposed to growing up play a large role in informing your preferences. I don't generally care for British comedy (that's not a hard and fast rule, but generally seems to be the case), but I wouldn't call it inferior.

[@student702]

You had us right up to that last, trolling line. However, you're correct. Speaking as an American, Americans are not intelligent enough to appreciate/enjoy most British Comedy. Having said that, the best American comedy (The Simpsons, Arrested Development, Seinfeld) absolutely *is* every bit as good as Monty Python, or The Young Ones, or Father Ted.

[@jonsnow6840]

DC Adapted: What a retarded comment written by a small-minded and ignorant person. I'm British and love American comedy. Who doesn't love The Simpsons or Friends? I also love the American Office, Greg Daniels did a fantastic job