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How NOT to Write a Sitcom: 100 Mistakes to Avoid If You Ever Want to Get Produced
The craft of sitcom is possibly the hardest of all screenwriting genres, demanding a complex set of skills.
How NOT to Write a Sitcom is a troubleshooting guide aimed at both the novice and the practising sitcom writer. It illustrates and explains the many pitfalls in concept, characterisation, plotting and dramatic/comedic writing,which pepper the hundreds of scripts submitted every year. Each point is illustrated with an example of the error and each section contains practical suggestions and exercises for the writer to apply to their own writing. The book makes no assumption of the reader other than an interest in the form. It contains interviews with current producers as well as interviews with successful practioners of the craft.
Marc Blake is a script consultant, writer and teacher of writing for sitcom. In this book he acts as a `script mechanic' for writers - stripping a sitcom down to its component parts, isolating the faults and fixing them. What script editors and producers are looking for are scripts that work. Naturally they want a genius in embryo, but above all they first want to see something that is roadworthy.
How NOT to Write a Sitcom is a troubleshooting guide aimed at both the novice and the practising sitcom writer. It illustrates and explains the many pitfalls in concept, characterisation, plotting and dramatic/comedic writing,which pepper the hundreds of scripts submitted every year. Each point is illustrated with an example of the error and each section contains practical suggestions and exercises for the writer to apply to their own writing. The book makes no assumption of the reader other than an interest in the form. It contains interviews with current producers as well as interviews with successful practioners of the craft.
Marc Blake is a script consultant, writer and teacher of writing for sitcom. In this book he acts as a `script mechanic' for writers - stripping a sitcom down to its component parts, isolating the faults and fixing them. What script editors and producers are looking for are scripts that work. Naturally they want a genius in embryo, but above all they first want to see something that is roadworthy.
- GenresNonfiction
272 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 19, 2013
I'd avoid if you are American. Buy Evan Smith's book. American sitcoms are shit anyway.
But if you're British and want to know common mistakes and also how to write a sitcom... I'd recommend this very much. Very clear, very detailed, packed full of advice - and from someone with a lot of experience, that has seen script after script over many years.
Though bare in mind - although books like this are handy... actually writing is second to
nothing else. Learn by trying. By doing so - books like this also make much more sense, as you can relate more to what is said.
But if you're British and want to know common mistakes and also how to write a sitcom... I'd recommend this very much. Very clear, very detailed, packed full of advice - and from someone with a lot of experience, that has seen script after script over many years.
Though bare in mind - although books like this are handy... actually writing is second to
nothing else. Learn by trying. By doing so - books like this also make much more sense, as you can relate more to what is said.
August 14, 2025
A bit outdated given it was published in 2011. Some of the rules here have been broken by shows that hadn’t come out yet. Good for people who’ve never written anything in their lives. Not great for people who have more experience.
June 5, 2013
A great, insightful book that with loads of constructive, original and invaluable advice for those of us just starting out in the sitcom writing genre. Some eye opening stuff that you'd do well to read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews