BBC Radio Comedy Writers Bursary

The BBC Radio Comedy Writers' Bursary (or the BBC Radio Comedy Department Contract Writer) is a scheme through which emerging comedy writers work in-house at the BBC Radio Comedy department for a year.[1]

History

The scheme began in 1978 and was devised by the then-head of Head of BBC Light Entertainment (Radio), David Hatch, and BBC Television's Head of Light Entertainment, James Gilbert. Each department put £5000 a year into a kitty to employ three young writers on a one-year contract. The only proviso was that there was to be no contract for a second year, and that the writers must then fend for themselves.[1] The first beneficiaries were Rory McGrath, Jimmy Mulville and Guy Jenkin, who were followed by Rob Grant, Doug Naylor (Red Dwarf).[1][2] Since then, the scheme has helped several aspiring or part-time writers to go full-time and has produced a great number of professional writers and comedians, including John O'Farrell, Peter Baynham, Stewart Lee and Simon Blackwell (The Thick Of It, Veep).[3][4]

Duties of recipients

Under the current regime, those selected for the bursary work on BBC Radio 4's three high-profile topical shows; The News Quiz, The Now Show and Dead Ringers, contribute writing across the range of the BBC Radio Comedy Department's output[5] as well as script-editing sketch-shows and sitcoms. Bursary recipients are also encouraged to develop new formats and create their own shows.[6]

List of recipients

The names of the writers who have received the bursary were first displayed on a commemorative wooden plaque, set up at the retirement of the Head of Light Entertainment Radio, Jonathan James-Moore. Following the Department's change of location, the current whereabouts of the plaque are unknown. The list of writers' names was later displayed in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying "Beware of The Leopard".[7]

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References
  1. Took, Barry (1981). Laughter In The Air. London: Robson Books. p. 175. ISBN 0 86051 149 9.
  2. "Biography 2". www.robgrant.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  3. "Sarah Campbell and Liam Beirne new BBC Radio Contract Writers - Make It - British Comedy Guide". www.comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  4. "Danielle Ward". Such Small Portions. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  5. "Don't mind your Ps & Qs: Gareth Gwynn". walesonline. Western Mail. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  6. "Radio Comedy Staff Writer | Jobs and careers with BBC". careerssearch.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  7. "BBC Radio Comedy writer's bursary". Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  8. "Radio Comedy Staff Writer | Jobs and careers with BBC". edmorrish.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
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