Scrap That! Done Already!

There are times when I come up with an idea for a story, whether it be an episode for a TV show, a film or a play, and wonder whether my heroes would either a) Approve of it, or b) Already come up with the idea themselves. The latter of the two is exactly what happened last week when an idea I was most proud of had already been done.

As a huge fan of One Foot in the Grave and its writer David Renwick, I am aware that he wanted to write a silent episode free of comic dialogue in favour of more visual comedy and farce. Sadly, such an episode never materialised due to a lack of ideas. 

However, the concept stuck with me and as I am currently developing a sitcom about a married couple, I began writing down how it would work. To be within the realms of reality it could only work if the events occurred at night, as the majority of people will be asleep. The initial setting and timing led to all sorts of plot ideas. What if one of the characters couldn’t sleep? What if they texted a friend who also couldn’t sleep and we as the audience saw their conversation? What if they tried to quietly prepare a midnight snack but were making lots of noise?

The ideas came thick and fast but I knew there needed to be something else that would give the story that extra something. After all we’d have 25 to 30 minutes to fill. Then I thought: What if a couple of burglars broke into their house? Then they would have to remain quiet and try to avoid the character who is awake.

The whole concept is farfetched, but it was an idea that excited me and would be a challenge as I prefer to write dialogue humour over slapstick. 

By Wednesday morning I had the idea written down and hoped to write a script. Then the evening came around and a new, silent episode of BBC2’s brilliant new series Inside No. 9, written by my heroes Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. Having already read an interview with the duo and knowing there would be a dialogue free episode, I was intrigued to see how they would meet the challenge and as a result I did not read a plot synopsis. 

You all know where this story is heading. Therefore this image is pretty self-explanatory…….

Inside No. 9: An image from the perfectly titled 'A Quiet Night In.'

Yep! The exact same idea. They even did the text conversation gag.

So there you have it! An idea I was so proud of and excited to write had already been done by two performers who I highly rate. If you think I was annoyed by this, you’re right, I was at first. But then I thought, something must be right if I’m coming up with an idea that was exactly the same as theirs. And just because that idea can't happen, does not mean there aren't other possible stories.

On the episode itself, it was extraordinary. A truly wonderful 30 minutes and the show is by far one of my favourites of the New Year. Having followed the duo from The League of Gentlemen to Psychoville, the concept of Inside No. 9 was already gonna grab my attention and it is simply genius.There’s no other way to describe it.

I know that was a long first article. But this blog is not called a ‘Rambling’ for nothing. At the end of the day, that’s all I’m doing.