NBC asking public for sitcom ideas

[Deezy]

Have you ever watched an episode of "How I Met Your Mother" or "Parks and Recreation" and thought, "I could write that"? Well, NBC thinks so too.

The network is launching a new campaign to recruit aspiring comedy writers with a desire to break into the TV industry. Appropriately titled "NBC's Comedy Playground," the new venture bypasses the old way of finding show writers -- skimming from top film schools and famous comedy clubs across the country -- and gives everyday people the opportunity to pitch directly to the network.

“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.

And while goal is to find the funny, NBC isn't joking around with it's new project. A list of major comedic heavyweights, including Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Mike Schur and Amy Poehler, have been tapped for the panel of judges tasked with choosing the best sitcom ideas.

How can you get a golden ticket to the comedy factory? NBC is asking all aspiring writers to submit their ideas via the NBC site set up for the contest. They'll then choose up to ten finalists and fund each to produce a pilot based on their pitch. Two winners will be paid to have the pilot and four additional episodes of their show broadcast on the network.

Because fan fiction has brought us all gold like......50 Shades of Grey?

I'd pitch them a show about cops or a family...hasn't been done yet right?

Thoughts? Pitches?

 

[Chris]

This is probably just going to end up with some pretty bad shows, but oh well no one watches NBC anyway.

 

[John McHenry]

Actually if you read the rules they make some statement saying similar ideas may already be in the works sounds like a scam.

 

[Deezy]

Just means if you give them something that's a winner they don't have to give credit or money.

 

[punk13]

Forget Girl Meets World on Disney.

They should just get the old bmw gang together and run it as a "friends" type sitcom. I bet it would be a lot more popular, because the generation that watched it as kids would watch it as adults.

Plus with HIMYM gone, there's certainly space for a big time sitcom right now.

 

[Keith]

Its not a terrible idea, but the reason I don't like it is that is because someone who has put no effect into it could just land a spot which someone has trained and worked years to get. Also, it gives the false impression than anyone can write for TV.

 

[Kiffy Lube]

Looks like "The Chucks" sitcom is gonna be on TV next fall.