Topical Sketch Writing

Welcome to another lesson on the art of sketch writing. Today we discuss topical sketch writing. Topical sketches are the backbone of television programs like Saturday Night Live and My Favorite Martian. A topical sketch includes two vital elements: a recent news story and a dick joke. Let's use a recent news story - the Pope being tackled at the Vatican. Here is how we turn that into a topical sketch:

The Pope Gets Tackled
December 25, 2009

Characters: Susanna, Margaret, Pope Benedict XVI

(The Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI is walking down the aisle. Susanna and Margaret are in the crowd.)

SUSANNA
Look! There's the Pope.

MARGARET
You should knock him down.

SUSANNA
Ok.

(Susanna jumps the barricade.)

MARGARET
Pull him down by the dick!

POPE BENEDICT XVI
Meine wurst!

(Lights.)

Good luck and good writing!