Los Angeles-based television producer Lee Godden has big plans for his improvised Not Quite Right program, but three hurdles remain. First, convincing fans of NBC’s Saturday Night Live and Fox’s Mad TV that unscripted, unrehearsed sketch comedy is funny. Next, attracting improv supporters. And finally, finding a network interested in the show.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 22, 2006 -- To most people in the television business, the idea of creating a half-hour comedy TV series that has no script is just plain silly. And that’s exactly Lee Godden’s point. With his new show, Not Quite Right (www.NQRight.com), Godden is trying to convince network and cable television executives that improvised sketches can be even funnier than the committee-written, repeatedly-rehearsed variety.
Godden is quick to acknowledge the inconsistent success of improv shows on TV. The BBC’s long-running Whose Line Is It Anyway? led to Drew Carey’s popular American version on ABC. However Carey’s animation-enhanced Green Screen Show was quickly dropped last year by The WB. HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, starring Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, continues to enjoy high ratings.
“It’s clear that improv can work on television,” Godden said. “The key is developing the perfect mix of talent, topics and presentation.” Godden’s Not Quite Right utilizes a cast of improv comedy veterans from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles who have performed at venues such as Second City, National Improv Theater and Improv Olympic. Unlike the game-based Whose Line Is It Anyway? which relies heavily on audience participation, the sketch-based Not Quite Right is taped without a live audience, with scene suggestions given to the actors by the producer just before cameras roll.
“Improv purists may have a problem with Not Quite Right,” said Godden. “We often use props in our sketches, instead of having the performers mime them. During the editing process we may add in humorous audio and video elements to enhance the sketch.” But Godden makes no apologies. “I’m focused on maximum laughs-per-minute, and that comes from a fast moving, sketch-after-sketch format that eliminates the need for audience involvement and comments from a show host.”
Godden and the cast of Not Quite Right have taped six 30-minute episodes over the past few months. Up to nine sketches are squeezed into each episode, with subject matter that ranges from the curious (a daytime talk show called Ear Chat!) to the controversial (a gay Methodist marketing whiz is hired by Al Qaeda to improve their image). Some sketch titles are entertaining in their own right, such as Liver Surgery and Love, Negotiating with the Termites, Reporting Live from the Carnage, Hot Sauce in Eyeballs, They're Eating Joey! and Now Pinch-Hitting For the Priest.
The Not Quite Right website (http://www.NQRight.com) offers visitors free downloadable clips of sketches. Clips optimized for portable devices such as Apple's Video iPod are planned. There’s also a 60-minute Best of NQR DVD for sale.
With half a dozen episodes complete, Godden is now focusing on finding a network home for Not Quite Right. Meanwhile the show is being cablecast on Charter Communications’ Channel 3 in the Los Angeles area. In addition to Godden, current Not Quite Right cast members include Bret Calvert, Dan Jablons, Eve Savona and Elvis Winterbottom. In 2005 Godden and his Telsius Productions company received Charter’s top new producer of the year award.
“I’ve been a stand-up comic and a comedy writer,” said Godden, “but nothing makes me laugh harder than well-executed improv. Let’s hope a lot of other folks feel the same way.”
Contact:
Lee Godden
Producer
Not Quite Right, Telsius Productions LLC
562-986-5163 telephone
562-986-5164 fax
http://www.NQRight.com
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