A MUM IS TELLING HER TEENAGE SON OFF.

MUM
You can't play those nasty video games anymore, they're 18 certificate and you're only 17.

SON
Oh mum, all my mates play them, it's not fair I hate you.

A MAN WALKS ON

MAN
You're right that's not fair. How do you fancy, playing violent games all day? Shooting bad guys in a post apocalyptic warzone?

SON
Course yes please.

MAN
Then join the British army today.

SON
Can I hit Arabs with brooms, and shove them in river?

MAN
You don't tell the UN, and I won't either.
 

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The ASDA of satire.
"Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you." Which is exactly what happened to Winston Smith. His rebellion was not one that was foolish and too outspoken. He silently tried to defeat the Party for his personal happiness, and in the end it cost him everything he had fought for, and his love for Julia. He had learned to love Big Brother, which was his ultimate fear when trying to live a life of individuality. The Party had defeated him.

1984
 

I like this as it's rather topical.

One thought is that rather than it being the kids mom, he could be at schoool and it's his teacher. This way you can get in two topical points; Gordon Brown's recent attack on video games and their content, and also the recent uproar by teachers regarding the Army visiting schools and alledgedly painting a rose tinted view of army life to the pupils to try and increase recruitment.

Also, the line about hitting Arabs with brooms could be a little stronger - perhaps link it to video games and suggest a plasma rifle or infinite ammo rocket launcher.

Over all though I liked this sketch.


Def.
 

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Do you expect me to talk?
No Mr Bond, I expect you to die.
 

Thanks, and you're dead bang right about setting it in a school.

Though the broom thing, was about an actual incident.
 

---

The ASDA of satire.
"Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you." Which is exactly what happened to Winston Smith. His rebellion was not one that was foolish and too outspoken. He silently tried to defeat the Party for his personal happiness, and in the end it cost him everything he had fought for, and his love for Julia. He had learned to love Big Brother, which was his ultimate fear when trying to live a life of individuality. The Party had defeated him.

1984
 

Quote:

Though the broom thing, was about an actual incident.

My bad. In that case, Brooms it is!

Def.

 

---

Do you expect me to talk?
No Mr Bond, I expect you to die.
 

I think man should be uniformed brigadeer type.
 

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Genius.
 

The sad part is that it doesn't feel like you're doing anything but regurgitating the facts. The last recruitment ad I saw had a soldier piloting a recon device using an X-Box controller.
 

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www.davidbussell.com
 

I like it (esp the Broom bit). Do you need the 'mum' bit. Couldn't the recruiter work as both devices - establishing that the kid likes to play games so you think the sketch is going to be about Age Restrictions for games and then twisting in to the British army thing.

Second David's point. Unfortunately this could run as a British Army ad.

Sootyj are you known as prolific?
 

That's kinda the point of a Topical skit, its presenting the news from another angle. In this case pious objection to violent video games, and disinterest in the army agressively pursuing teenagers to join up. The US army actually has a MORPG about being in the army. Topical doesn't always have to be clever sometimes life is so ridiculous all you can do is jsut report straight back what happens.


Haven't you heard about the dangers of sooty emissions?
 

---

The ASDA of satire.
"Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you." Which is exactly what happened to Winston Smith. His rebellion was not one that was foolish and too outspoken. He silently tried to defeat the Party for his personal happiness, and in the end it cost him everything he had fought for, and his love for Julia. He had learned to love Big Brother, which was his ultimate fear when trying to live a life of individuality. The Party had defeated him.

1984
 

D'accord. It was a lament - rather than a criticism. And perhaps should not be in critique then. javascript:add_emoticon('')


Haven't quite got the hang of those yet.
 

Quote: sootyj @ March 27, 2008, 12:25 PM

Topical doesn't always have to be clever. Sometimes life is so ridiculous all you can do is just report straight back what happens.

View original

I agree, that's exactly what I was saying. What I forgot to do was critique the sketch though. I enjoyed it. For once I even got the topical reference about the broom stick.
 

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www.davidbussell.com
 

Sentiment appreciated, and thanks for feedback.

Reminds of how Tom Learer gave up as a satirist when Kissinger got the Nobel Peace Prize.

As there was no more work for satirists.
 

---

The ASDA of satire.
"Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you." Which is exactly what happened to Winston Smith. His rebellion was not one that was foolish and too outspoken. He silently tried to defeat the Party for his personal happiness, and in the end it cost him everything he had fought for, and his love for Julia. He had learned to love Big Brother, which was his ultimate fear when trying to live a life of individuality. The Party had defeated him.

1984
 

It's a simple enough sketch and I liked the results, Can;t build on anything anyones said.

So I won't...
 

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"He used to poke me in English lessons"
Robyn - BSG.