British situation comedy. Whether it’s Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, The Office, or the classics of Keeping Up Appearances or Are You Being Served, these are programs that we’ve all watched for years but probably never gave a second thought as to why we laugh. Aside from the brilliant writing, no one really has simplified the mechanical structure of a sitcom (Britcom, for our purposes) until now. Self-proclaimed SitcomGeek, James Cary, comedy writer for BBC TV and Radio, has come up with a recipe for success that would make Gordon Ramsay proud.

Recently, he shared his culinary expertise with The Guardian, “…it’s simple: Character + Conflict + Confinement + Catastrophe + Catchphrase + Casting = Comedy (except when it doesn’t). Why didn’t I think of this? It’s so….well, simple.

Cary’s most recent work, writing for the BBC 2 hit comedy, Miranda, which stars Miranda Hart, is brilliant. Love the direct to camera moments. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. If you have, would love to know what you think of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKDl9v9bl1Y&feature=channel