Share

cover art for Making a TV Show (with Jess Bray & Nathan Foad)

The Comedy Writers Group

Making a TV Show (with Jess Bray & Nathan Foad)

Ep. 204
•

On this week's episode I'm joined by Jess Bray, creator of the new Channel 4 rom-com Break Clause, and writer, actor (and best fried) Nathan Foad.


We chat about Jess and Nathan's origin stories before getting into Break Clause's journey to the small screen. We chat about writers rooms, SNL UK, "re-writing" the pilot, stress-testing the premise, and a whole lot more.


Break Clause sees Channel 4 revisit the rom com genre and follows Ben (Samuel Bottomley) and Lil (Lara Ricote) as they navigate their breakup whilst stuck in the same flat… Their relationship is over, but their tenancy isn’t.


The six-part series is led by Lara and Samuel and hosts an incredible array of comedy stars in its ensemble, from SNL UK’s Jack Shep and Hammed Animashaun to Charly Clive (Rooster) and Cat Cohen (Sentimental Value).


Follow @_jessbray


Follow @nathan_foad


Follow your host, @marcelthecomedian


Follow The Comedy Writers Group on @comedywritersgroup


The Comedy Writers Group offers weekly online meetings for comedy writers to develop their material with professional comedians.


Join the patreon and access the following:

  • Unlock our online meet-ups and workshops
  • Access weekly bonus episodes
  • Access the first 90 episodes of the podcast
  • Exclusive access to our discord and facebook groups

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 209. First Directing Session (with Dan Hough)

    01:14:17||Ep. 209
    This week you get to be a fly-on-the-wall for my first directing session with Dan Hough. Dan is letting us in on the creative process as I direct his debut solo show.We get into some dramaturgy, chatting story, reveals, and justifying the title.We also discuss the development of the show, tropes, cliches, show-stoppers, and a whole lot more.This is a podcast for comedy writers and comedy fans to learn more about how comedians make a career in comedy. Leave us a review on your podcast app.Follow @essentiallydanFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on @comedywritersgroupThe Comedy Writers Group offers weekly online meetings for comedy writers to develop their material with professional comedians.Join the patreon and access the following:Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups
  • 208. Writing in the Rat Nest (with Johanna Cosgrove)

    01:00:48||Ep. 208
    This week I'm joined by comedian, writer, and published poet, Johanna Cosgrove.We chat about Johanna's move to Melbourne from NZ, her advice on emails, where she likes to write, and the massive amount of misogyny in comedy.We dig into remote podcasting, the Kiwi mafia, writing for Shortland Street, and a whole lot more.This is a podcast for comedy writers and comedy fans to learn more about how comedians make a career in comedy. Leave us a review on your podcast app.Follow @johannacosgroveFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on @comedywritersgroupThe Comedy Writers Group offers weekly online meetings for comedy writers to develop their material with professional comedians.Join the patreon and access the following:Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups
  • 207. Speaking Up (with Freddie Arthur)

    01:23:58||Ep. 207
    On this week's episode I'm joined by Raw Comedy National Finalist and Moosehead Award recipient, Freddie Arthur.We chat about how it feels to win this prestigious grant, Freddie's new show, as well as catching up on a recent bomb, before getting into the fallout from Freddie speaking up on instagram about some gross behaviour in the Melbourne comedy scene.We talk rejection, ideal timeslots, diss tracks, and a whole lot more.Follow @freddiearthurFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on @comedywritersgroupThe Comedy Writers Group offers weekly online meetings for comedy writers to develop their material with professional comedians.Join the patreon and access the following:Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups
  • 206. Finding the Show (with Bronte Locke and Barney Pollock)

    01:17:52||Ep. 206
    This week I'm joined by Bronte Locke and Barney Pollock to talk about Hand Foot in Mouth; Bronte's debut show directed by Barney.We chat about what inspired the show, how it was developed, and the value of "finding it in the room."We also chat about acting school, mentoring, clowning on zoom, and how it feels to be directed by someone you're in a relationship with.Follow @brontelocke Follow @barney.pollock Follow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on @comedywritersgroupThe Comedy Writers Group offers weekly online meetings for comedy writers to develop their material with professional comedians.Join the patreon and access the following:Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups
  • 205. Happy is the Goal (with Mish Wittrup)

    01:18:52||Ep. 205
    This week I'm joined by the brilliant Mish Wittrup. You may know Mish from Aunty Donna, Fisk, Sam Pang Tonight or her excellent stand-up shows.We chat the realities of a full-time freelance comedian where every week is a little bit different, swapping theatre for comedy, getting out of debt, the value of a director, warm-up, and a whole lot more.Stick around at the end to hear a special bonus appearance from Dan Hough and Tamara Absalom.Follow @mishwittrupFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on @comedywritersgroupThe Comedy Writers Group offers weekly online meetings for comedy writers to develop their material with professional comedians.Join the patreon and access the following:Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups
  • 203. How to Pitch Your Script (with Nicolette Minster)

    01:22:00||Ep. 203
    Nicolette Minster (The Weekly, Cop That) returns to the podcast to chat about her screenwriter origins. Nicolette has a load of great advice when it comes to getting your script made.We also chat about her first role appearing on screen alongside Sam Neil and Meryl Streep, writing for light entertainment, and what it's like having parents in the industry. We cover everything from sleeping your way to the top to getting a panic attack live on television.Follow @nic_minstergramFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on @comedywritersgroupThe Comedy Writers Group offers weekly online meetings for comedy writers to develop their material with professional comedians.Join the patreon and access the following:Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups
  • 202. Ten Months Off-Grid (with Hayley Edwards)

    01:31:07||Ep. 202
    Hayley Edwards returns to the podcast to talk about their new show The Carrot Show coming to the Melbourne Fringe. We dig into what led Hayley to make the show along with what led to ten months of isolation.We cover Edinburgh Fringe, icky industry interactions, the value of collaboration, ethical conundrums and a whole lot more.Stick around at the end to get a special preview of this week's bonus episode The Superhero Quiz Show. Follow @hayley.jemmaFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on @comedywritersgroupThe Comedy Writers Group offers weekly online meetings for comedy writers to develop their material with professional comedians.Join the patreon and access the following:Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups
  • 201. Joke Workshop (with Nicole Chapman and Theo Rylan)

    01:05:16||Ep. 201
    This week we're workshopping new bits with Nicole Chapman and Theo Rylan, who are joining me in our new Melbourne Fringe show, Uh-Oh Laugh Comes to Town.We chat about Nicole and Theo's first six months on the stand-up scene before breaking into some fresh material. We chat about the Aussie tradition of going barefoot to the shops before getting into Theo's desire for dates to arrive on schedule.Uh-Oh Laugh Comes to Town is at Theory Bar from the 9th - 18th of October.Follow @blackchickabroadFollow @theorylanhahaFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on @comedywritersgroupThe Comedy Writers Group offers weekly online meetings for comedy writers to develop their material with professional comedians.Join the patreon and access the following:Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups