Industry opportunities in sketch comedy, TV screenwriting and radio

A few deadlines coming up this spring that offer comedians the opportunity for greater glory on the small screen.

First up, a televised sketch comedy competition?! Yes. And it’s called The Biggest Laugh, brought to “a major broadcast network” soon by executive producers Jack Black and Joel Gallen, Tenth Planet, Sony Pictures Television and Black’s Electric Dynamite. Groups will compete in front of celebrity judges through live and pre-taped challenges, with big cash prizes at stake. Interested? Please submit two links of pre-existing original sketches that best represent your group — Links only, no large video files via email. Deadline: April 1, 2012. Click here to register.

FOX and the New York Television Festival are teaming up for a fifth time for their annual FOX-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest. Aspiring TV writers can enter their scripts for original half-hour sitcom pilots and the chance to win $25,000 and a network development deal. American residents 18 and older not already under contract can submit a script between 25-35 pages. For full rules and eligibility requirements, click here. Scripts may be submitted between April 16 and April 30, 2012. The winner will be announced at the Eighth Annual New York Television Festival in October.

Speaking of the NYTVF, the festival also is partnering with Montreal’s Just For Laughs for a sitcom pitch competition, specifically seeking series based on or inspired by stories, sketches and characters developed through live performances. Five finalists will be invited to Montreal to pitch their ideas live during the Just For Laughs Comedy Conference — July 26-28, 2012. One winner will get to participate in exclusive opportunities during the NYTVF in October. The pitch contest is open to anyone 18 and older. For rules and submission dates, click here.

And here’s one opportunity in radio for an aspiring joke writer.

Townsquare Media is looking for a comedy writer to supply jokes to 200 of its local radio stations’ websites around the country. The ideal candidate is someone who can turn around funny content consistently – sometimes on short notice — ranging on a wide array of topics. The gig pays $11 per post. For consideration, please email your resume to Drew.Weisholtz@townsquaremedia.com. Also, please include two writing samples from these topics. If you do not include samples, you will not be considered. 1) 10 jokes explaining possible names for Snooki’s baby 2) 10 jokes offering tips to make sure you stop yourself from pigging out at an all-you-can-eat buffet

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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