Carl Carter & Tony Cooke: The Legend of Dick and Dom

18 November 10

29 November 2010

Carl:
I had a splendid evening. Sadly Legend didn’t scoop the prize this year, but it was beaten by a really great show, which helps to stem the pain! We also got to meet some fascinating and uber-talented people from throughout the industry, which is worth its weight in gongs. Plus I nicked four napkin rings, three bottles of Taittinger and Newsround’s BAFTA so I reckon that’s at least three grand on eBay.

Tony:
Any night that moves from tears of joy (the legendary Brian Cant), to tears of sheer, outright frenzy (half the audience on seeing Gary Barlow) moments later, is one to remember for a long time. In the end, Legend left with its hessian sack empty. It was the night of Horrible Histories – the team not just sweeping the board, but steam cleaning it with one of those industrial hoovers. That didn’t, however, stop us all leaving the Hilton feeling well and truly chuffed to have been a part of a fantastic evening.

We’d both like to end by thanking Lisa at BAFTA, and acknowledging once again the hard work of everyone involved in the making of Legend: producer, directors, cast, writers, the entire crew: and hope that everyone is as pleased as we are to have been nominated. And of course, it would be remiss of us not to mention that series three of The Legend of Dick and Dom will be coming to your screens in the New Year!

24 November 2010

Today we’re supposed to be writing a CBBC sitcom treatment and plots for the next series of The Slammer. But we’re not. Instead, like a couple of big jessies, we’re fretting about what to wear on Sunday night. We’ve cleared the first hurdle – that of realising that it’s not a black tie event – but now have the altogether more stressful decision of just how much to ‘dress down’. Silk suit, braces and cummerbund? Not far enough down. Trakky bottoms, low-slung jeans and builder’s bum? Too far down, (well, before midnight, at any rate). Whatever we eventually decide, with snow forecast, thermal vests are a must. At times like this, we envy Mr Tumble and his many-layered outfits.

as freelance writers, we’ve actually worked with people from all the other nominated shows! And all are exceptionally talented people who deserve an enormous back-slap...

With the ceremony so close, our thoughts are also turning to the BAFTA itself, and the competition. Who else is up for the comedy award? Will they win it? Will there be a horrendous ‘Joey from Friends’ moment when someone from Legend appears on the 50 foot plasma, bitterly thumping the table? Well, no, there won’t. Everyone’s just chuffed to be nominated, and we’ll be pleased for whoever wins. Especially because, as freelance writers, we’ve actually worked with people from all the other nominated shows! And all are exceptionally talented people who deserve an enormous back-slap, so best wishes to the lot of them. There. Now maybe they’ll let us stroke their BAFTA.

So, suited and booted, we await the big day with excitement, trepidation and a huge thrill at the prospect of being in the same room as Brian Cant. If you see us, be sure to compliment us on our excellent choice of tailor. Just don’t mention the security tag still dangling from the trousers.

19 November 2010

Thanks Bafta, you legends!

So, Bafta has nominated The Legend of Dick and Dom in its brand new comedy category – on behalf of the entire production team, may we say: thank you! There is no greater, shinier, more facially disfigured television honour.

The process of getting Legend to screen can be gruelling: an obscenely talented crew, led by producer Steve Ryde and directors Dez McCarthy and Julian Kemp, pack up their bags and head deep into a forest near Pinewood. There they remain for, literally, months, with rare days off for location shoots, edits, and regular mental health checks. Joining them is the epic cast, headed up by Richard McCourt, Dominic Wood, Steve Furst, and Chloe Bale, who genuinely suffer in the name of comedy; smearing muck in every crevice, wearing demeaning facial hair and tackling our tongue-twisting dialogue without spitting out their goofy teeth.

We’re thrilled to be nominated – and it’s great to have this new award that extends to recognise the writers of narrative comedy

Fortunately, as the lead writers on the show, we suffer none of this. Most of our work is done before the first frame is shot, with full access to clean running wi-fi, double glazing, and biscuits… the nice chocolaty ones. Our battle scars are different: long days deliberating plots, jokes and character arcs and late nights trying to find something to rhyme with ‘swamp’. We’re equally thrilled to be nominated – and it’s great to have this new award that extends to recognise the writers of narrative comedy.

So: we’re all dead chuffed. All legends… It’s just that some of us still smell of forest.

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