ABSTRACT
Now that you have decided that comedy writing is the path you want to take, you already know that your first step will be to write a spec script for an existing show. Once you have chosen the show you want to write, the first step in the writing process is to study that show. One of the more foolish questions I get asked time and time again is, “I don’t ever watch such-and-such a show, but can I write a spec script on it anyway?” The answer is a resounding no! You cannot write what you do not know. It is impossible to write a good spec script for a show you don’t watch. You must commit yourself right here and now to watching whatever show you have chosen faithfully each and every week. This will help you get a feel for who the characters are, what they are up to in the current season, what storylines have already been done as well as what sets are used each week. As we discussed, if you want to really be diligent, I would suggest that you tape the show and watch it a few times. You will be surprised what you miss — or even want to go back to when constructing your own story. Having episodes on tape will also be extremely useful later on when it is time to write the dialogue.
