Bleak Expectations was an instant Radio 4 comedy hit and is now headed for the London stage... a mere 16 years later. Creator and writer Mark Evans talks Dave and James through the ups, downs, sideways, hope-crushing disappointments and finally triumphant arrival of the show to the West End.

There are quick wins to be had on your comedy writing career journey. And there'll be plenty of help with these at our upcoming weekend of Comedy Conferences. But as Dave and James explain, if you want a long lasting career you need ideas, purpose and a desire to help others.

Ooh listen - a podcast about why you should be thinking about making a podcast! No really, tonnes of useful advice about kickstarting your comedy career by writing for audio, listening to BBC Sounds and getting to know radio producers.

Writer, performer and founder of Female Pilot Club, Abigail Burdess, talks to Dave and James about the joy of getting your scripts in front of a crowd. Plus all the spooky news about her darkly comic debut novel Mother's Day - and why plotting books is not unlike stitching together your sitcom. Mother's Day is out now: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/147229551X/comedyguide-21/ Dave's Sun-DIY Conference is on Sunday 23rd April. https://www.davecohen.org.uk/learn-to-write-comedy-daves-sun-diy-conference/ The show Abigail mentions at the start is Dinner For One. https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/freddie-frinton-dinner-for-one/

It's a long time since Dave and James took a deep delve into the heart of storytelling. Find out why a flat tyre is not a plot. An inspector calls? Not a plot. What about when James blew eleven quid on an ill-fitting pair of designer trousers? Now we're getting somewhere. Our Geeky pair explain how to make stuff happen in your show.

Dave and James talk to writer, performer, stand-up and Buffering co-creator Steve Bugeja about driving with a murderer in your passenger seat, working with the most famous voice in the country... And what's left for Steve now he's achieved his life's ambition of appearing on his favourite podcast.

Exciting news from the BBC: they're signing up 10 comedy writers, producers and directors to spend a year learning how to turn your ideas into actual programmes. Dave and James offer guidance for how to enter and tips to make your blurb stand out. And bring you up to date with the latest news from the BCG Pro comedy writers' conference. Be there or... no, no excuses, be there. BBC Bursary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/comedy/comedy-collective-bursary/ Big Comedy Conference: https://www.comedy.co.uk/pro/conference/ Build A Script - from "I've got an idea" to "I've written a first draft" in 8 weeks - free copy here: https://www.davecohen.org.uk/ 14 Problems with your pilot https://jamescary.samcart.com/products/14-problems-pdf-webinar Dave and Dan's topical course: https://www.comedy.co.uk/pro/inside_track/return-of-topical-comedy-shows/

What do you want to achieve this year? Still chasing the dream? Is it even the same dream that you think you want? There are still plenty of ways to succeed, as James says "as long as people like laughing and they like watching television".

Christmas and Sitcom. Two words that go together like turkey and stuffing. There are more than 300 Christmas sitcom specials and in this episode Dave and James unwrap their favourites with Pozzitive radio producer David Tyler and the actor Laura Aikman, who has appeared in a few great Christmas episodes herself (including Gavin & Stacey). What makes a great Christmas special? And why do we love them so much?

Ever get one of those days where it's just not happening? Days that turn into weeks... Dave and James confront the bane of the new writer's life, offer ways and means of pushing through it, and dare to suggest that it might not be a thing at all.