I recently was a guest at a Royal Television Society ‘Futures’ talk. The subject was ‘How To Get Ahead in Comedy’. I’m not sure how much use/interest my involvement was but something I did say was I never wrote ‘story outlines’ for series 2 of Benidorm. This was totally untrue, I actually meant I didn’t write outlines for series 1 (and it probably showed) but I thought it might be of interest to some how an outline of a tv show can look. I’m saying this purely because I haven’t blogged for a while and I thought cutting and pasting the story outline for episode 2 series 2 (which I just came across while looking for something else on my computer) would be an easy thing to post (and wouldn’t take me much time; lazy sod that I am).
So here it is. I’m not saying this is how it’s supposed to be done, I just think it might be vaugely interesting to a small minority. It doesn’t look like much but somehow I wrote a fairly good episode from it (well, one of the better ones in series 2 I think) although as the Beni-fans amongst you will see, this is only the bare bones and other stuff ws added and a couple of bits changed/omitted.
Episode 2
Synopsis / Outline
Mel is feeling rough after his near death experience in the pool.
Mel is feeling rough after his near death experience in the pool.
The Garvey’s are deciding which songs they want to sing on the karaoke that night. Madge thinks Mel should probably have a night as he is still not feeling on top form but Mel insists he is going to the karaoke; Madge suggests a cosy night in would be good for both of them (Mick’s stomach turns) but Mel is adamant he is going to sing.
The Oracle comes over to ask how Mel is. Mel is not happy and totally blames the mishap on The Oracle; they have quite a heated argument. Janice and Mick are used to arguing but not like this; it looks like it’s going to come to blows when Noreen comes over and drags The Oracle away.
Donald and Jacqueline sit with Gavin and Troy and they catch up with what has been happening with each other since their last holiday.
Janice goes over to The Oracle and Noreen to apologise about Mel; “we don’t really know him to be honest”. Noreen asks how they are coping with Telle’s baby (not very well) and she offers her baby sitting skills.
Martin and Kate sit in a secluded part of the hotel and Martin assures Kate he is doing all he can to get them back into the hotel they booked in the first place. He is guaranteed they will be back there the day after tomorrow. Kate is not convinced.
Neptunes bar. Karaoke night. Troy gets up and sings a song to his partner Gavin.
Mel goes makes some remarks about homosexuals, Madge agrees it’s not natural but then Mel’s rant gets out of hand and all the Garvey’s start to wonder what kind of lunatic Madge has got involved with.
Mel goes makes some remarks about homosexuals, Madge agrees it’s not natural but then Mel’s rant gets out of hand and all the Garvey’s start to wonder what kind of lunatic Madge has got involved with.
The Oracle and Noreens apartment: Noreen and The Oracle are going mad looking after Telle’s baby, ‘Coolio’. The baby is screaming constantly. The Oracle’s attempts at making faces makes the poor baby cry even more
.
The Oracle comes into Neptunes and says his mother Noreen has asked when Telle is going to collect her baby? As they argue about this Mel has got up on the karaoke and starts singing in a bizarre falsetto voice. The argument stops as they look in wonder.
Mel finishes his song then makes an announcement from the stage that after his near death experience it’s made him think life is too short and asks Madge to marry him; there is huge cheering and applause then an awkward moment as Madge doesn’t know what to say. The seconds feel like hours as the whole of Neptunes stare at Madge, grinning inanely, waiting for her answer. Janice and Mick look concerned… Eventually Madge blurts out, “Yes!”… The whole club erupts into wild cheering and Janey Yorke sings “Love Is In The Air”
You see… writing a tv series, it’s easy. Now why don’t you have a go? What have you got to lose?
