NBC Asks Viewers for Better Sitcom Ideas - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 04-08-2014, 08:07 PM

NBC Asks Viewers for Better Sitcom Ideas
by James Hibberd
Apr 8, 2014

Got an idea for a sitcom? NBC wants to hear from you.

The broadcast network announced “an unprecedented effort to discover fresh comedic voices” on Tuesday by launching a national campaign offering aspiring comedy writers from around the country the chance to pitch their sitcom ideas.

“We are taking a bold, alternative approach in what we hope will uncover original comedy minds who are looking for a way to get into the television business,” said NBC entertainment president Jennifer Salke.

The initiative, dubbed “NBC Comedy Playground,” pledges to reach beyond the traditional talent labs of film schools and comedy clubs by giving everyday people the opportunity to submit ideas directly to the network.

NBC has enlisted a roster of well-known producers and actors to help them choose the winning concepts. The panel includes Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Mike Schur, Amy Poehler, and several others.

“We love that an incredible A-list roster of producers, writers, and performers have jumped in to help us find that untapped talent,” Salke said.

Here’s how it works:

Comedy writers will submit their idea via an NBC site set up for the contest at http://www.nbccomedyplayground.com/#/home.

The network will choose up to 10 finalists and will fund each finalist to produce a pilot presentation based on their pitch. The producer-actor advisory board, in consultation with NBC, will pick two winners from the 10.

The winners, who will be paid, will have their show broadcast on NBC (a pilot plus up to four additional episodes, at the network’s discretion).

More entry details:

“Beginning May 1, aspiring comedy writers are asked to submit their ideas to be considered for both digital and network comedy shows. Entrants may submit up to two video samples (5-10 minutes each) of their pre-existing work, along with up to two video pitches (2-5 minutes per pitch), each describing a unique, original show idea, to http://www.nbccomedyplayground.com/#/home”

The crowd-sourcing concept is yet another way that the television development process is becoming increasingly democratized. Amazon previously broke the pilot season mold by putting all their pilots online for viewer voting.

Though NBC’s new midseason comedy effort "About a Boy" is doing solid in the ratings after "The Voice" on Tuesday nights, the broadcaster’s Thursday comedy block has struggled in recent years in general and this season in particular, with new shows like "Sean Saves the World" and "The Michael J. Fox Show" failing to break out.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/08/nbc-sitcom-contest/

James28 · 04-09-2014, 06:49 AM

The only network that can really pull this off is a dysfunctional and desperate broadcast network with a CRAP comedy division. NBC will try anything they can nowadays.

KurtfromPitts · 04-09-2014, 11:08 AM

Sounds like something I'd be interested in participating in.

Sal · 04-09-2014, 05:44 PM

NBC has enlisted a roster of well-known producers and actors to help them choose the winning concepts. The panel includes Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Mike Schur, Amy Poehler, and several others.

“We love that an incredible A-list roster of producers, writers, and performers have jumped in to help us find that untapped talent,” Salke said.

I seriously doubt that this group represents an A-list of comedy talent. Sean Hayes alone is at best a C- and his awful series last fall partly explains why NBC is in such a mess now. So I'm not surprised they're looking for new talent.

yankeesrj12 · 04-09-2014, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal

NBC has enlisted a roster of well-known producers and actors to help them choose the winning concepts. The panel includes Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Mike Schur, Amy Poehler, and several others.

“We love that an incredible A-list roster of producers, writers, and performers have jumped in to help us find that untapped talent,” Salke said.

I seriously doubt that this group represents an A-list of comedy talent. Sean Hayes alone is at best a C- and his awful series last fall partly explains why NBC is in such a mess now. So I'm not surprised they're looking for new talent.

Agreed. The people they are asking to help with this are not well know and are stars of low-rated sitcoms. Mindy Kaling has like 2 million viewers for her show, Parks and Recreation is no big hit (Aziz and Amy), and Sean Hayes was a one trick pony (Will and Grace). I don't see this working out well for them.

MrCleveland · 04-10-2014, 10:52 PM

I'd like to launch "The Adam and Steve Show" to be on NBC.

It'd be a show as if Kelsey Grammer was followed with a camera for 22 years...I'd like to show LGBT awareness, even have a bigoted homophobe as a character who won't admit about his childhood past and his likeness of Rock Hudson and Raymond Burr.

LUNCH · 04-11-2014, 12:31 PM

Aside from Jason Bateman,I have not even heard of any of those people mentioned in the article.I mean who are those "A list talents"? NBC just like CBS and ABC are shadows of their former selves and are just spinning their wheels with that idea.

Coffeecup · 04-13-2014, 10:46 AM

When I first read the story, I thought, are they that hard up to find a show. No one currently making the big bucks can find a program.
On the hand if I had a vague idea how to start, I would submit an video/written idea and go for the experience.

Yong Fang · 04-15-2014, 05:10 AM

Mike Schur puts out a decent product. The Office, Parks and Recreation (which is a great show, even though it is now declining) and now Brooklyn Nine Nine.

I really wanted to see "The Farm", with Rainn Wilson. They could have sort of copied the old Brit show "Fawlty Towers", with Angela as the wife. It could have been hilarious. Oh well.

The thing is now, there are so many networks and so many shows out there that the pie is smaller and smaller. There is more out there than the four networks. Also, one can basically watch their show as their convenience now.

king of comedy · 04-15-2014, 06:23 AM

This is a great idea. Lets' hope that viewers will give stars better sitcoms ideas than this seasons bombs. Remember The Michael J. Fox Show and Sean Saves the World?

Sal · 04-15-2014, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king of comedy

This is a great idea. Lets' hope that viewers will give stars better sitcoms ideas than this seasons bombs. Remember The Michael J. Fox Show and Sean Saves the World?

I have heard a rumour that Bill Cosby would be making a comeback on a new sitcom, so maybe that could be one of the ideas that NBC will have in store for us. At the very least, they can use him to be the head of that panel that was mentioned at the top of this page. You couldn't ask for better qualifications!

Mace Dolex · 04-15-2014, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal

I have heard a rumour that Bill Cosby would be making a comeback on a new sitcom, so maybe that could be one of the ideas that NBC will have in store for us. At the very least, they can use him to be the head of that panel that was mentioned at the top of this page. You couldn't ask for better qualifications!

No offense to "The Coz", he's great and all but he's like what, 100 years old? I mean what can he bring to the table that hasn't already been done.

comedyfreak · 04-16-2014, 05:05 PM

They need to drop the single camera comedies and bring back the multi-camera comedies with a live audience.

king of comedy · 04-16-2014, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

No offense to "The Coz", he's great and all but he's like what, 100 years old? I mean what can he bring to the table that hasn't already been done.

He's in his 70s. He is going to be a grandfather in this new show.

lucyandethel · 04-16-2014, 08:27 PM

Sitcoms now are just so, so bad. And the fact is, most in the industry admit they are bad. It is such a shame, too.

04-08-2014, 08:07 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,951	NBC Asks Viewers for Better Sitcom Ideas NBC Asks Viewers for Better Sitcom Ideas by James Hibberd Apr 8, 2014 Got an idea for a sitcom? NBC wants to hear from you. The broadcast network announced “an unprecedented effort to discover fresh comedic voices” on Tuesday by launching a national campaign offering aspiring comedy writers from around the country the chance to pitch their sitcom ideas. “We are taking a bold, alternative approach in what we hope will uncover original comedy minds who are looking for a way to get into the television business,” said NBC entertainment president Jennifer Salke. The initiative, dubbed “NBC Comedy Playground,” pledges to reach beyond the traditional talent labs of film schools and comedy clubs by giving everyday people the opportunity to submit ideas directly to the network. NBC has enlisted a roster of well-known producers and actors to help them choose the winning concepts. The panel includes Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Mike Schur, Amy Poehler, and several others. “We love that an incredible A-list roster of producers, writers, and performers have jumped in to help us find that untapped talent,” Salke said. Here’s how it works: Comedy writers will submit their idea via an NBC site set up for the contest at http://www.nbccomedyplayground.com/#/home. The network will choose up to 10 finalists and will fund each finalist to produce a pilot presentation based on their pitch. The producer-actor advisory board, in consultation with NBC, will pick two winners from the 10. The winners, who will be paid, will have their show broadcast on NBC (a pilot plus up to four additional episodes, at the network’s discretion). More entry details: “Beginning May 1, aspiring comedy writers are asked to submit their ideas to be considered for both digital and network comedy shows. Entrants may submit up to two video samples (5-10 minutes each) of their pre-existing work, along with up to two video pitches (2-5 minutes per pitch), each describing a unique, original show idea, to http://www.nbccomedyplayground.com/#/home” The crowd-sourcing concept is yet another way that the television development process is becoming increasingly democratized. Amazon previously broke the pilot season mold by putting all their pilots online for viewer voting. Though NBC’s new midseason comedy effort "About a Boy" is doing solid in the ratings after "The Voice" on Tuesday nights, the broadcaster’s Thursday comedy block has struggled in recent years in general and this season in particular, with new shows like "Sean Saves the World" and "The Michael J. Fox Show" failing to break out. http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/08/nbc-sitcom-contest/

04-09-2014, 06:49 AM	#2
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,967	The only network that can really pull this off is a dysfunctional and desperate broadcast network with a CRAP comedy division. NBC will try anything they can nowadays.
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

04-09-2014, 05:44 PM	#4
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,148	NBC has enlisted a roster of well-known producers and actors to help them choose the winning concepts. The panel includes Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Mike Schur, Amy Poehler, and several others. “We love that an incredible A-list roster of producers, writers, and performers have jumped in to help us find that untapped talent,” Salke said. I seriously doubt that this group represents an A-list of comedy talent. Sean Hayes alone is at best a C- and his awful series last fall partly explains why NBC is in such a mess now. So I'm not surprised they're looking for new talent.
	__________________ LIVE TV - Updated By Request - April 2026 ANTENNA TV ME TV ME TV TOONS Zerostream - LIVE TV Guide

04-10-2014, 10:52 PM	#6
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	I'd like to launch "The Adam and Steve Show" to be on NBC. It'd be a show as if Kelsey Grammer was followed with a camera for 22 years...I'd like to show LGBT awareness, even have a bigoted homophobe as a character who won't admit about his childhood past and his likeness of Rock Hudson and Raymond Burr.
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

04-16-2014, 05:05 PM	#13
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	They need to drop the single camera comedies and bring back the multi-camera comedies with a live audience.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

04-09-2014, 11:08 AM	#3
KurtfromPitts Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 10, 2006 Location: Carnegie PA Posts: 1,530	Sounds like something I'd be interested in participating in.

04-11-2014, 12:31 PM	#7
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Aside from Jason Bateman,I have not even heard of any of those people mentioned in the article.I mean who are those "A list talents"? NBC just like CBS and ABC are shadows of their former selves and are just spinning their wheels with that idea.

04-13-2014, 10:46 AM	#8
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,176	When I first read the story, I thought, are they that hard up to find a show. No one currently making the big bucks can find a program. On the hand if I had a vague idea how to start, I would submit an video/written idea and go for the experience.

04-15-2014, 05:10 AM	#9
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	Mike Schur puts out a decent product. The Office, Parks and Recreation (which is a great show, even though it is now declining) and now Brooklyn Nine Nine. I really wanted to see "The Farm", with Rainn Wilson. They could have sort of copied the old Brit show "Fawlty Towers", with Angela as the wife. It could have been hilarious. Oh well. The thing is now, there are so many networks and so many shows out there that the pie is smaller and smaller. There is more out there than the four networks. Also, one can basically watch their show as their convenience now.

04-15-2014, 06:23 AM	#10
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	This is a great idea. Lets' hope that viewers will give stars better sitcoms ideas than this seasons bombs. Remember The Michael J. Fox Show and Sean Saves the World?

04-16-2014, 08:27 PM	#15
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	Sitcoms now are just so, so bad. And the fact is, most in the industry admit they are bad. It is such a shame, too.