Writing TV comedy often seems easy to new writers. We’ve all watched plenty of sitcoms and there just doesn’t seem that much to them. There’s some funny characters – then someone does something that creates a problem—then, in trying to solve the problem they make things worse – then some ending happens. And there’s jokes along the way. But remarkably – once you get into plotting out that basic formula, there’s usually a little tiny bit more than that maybe? And when done really well, although it may look simplistic on the screen, there’s usually a lot of work behind it to keep the viewers engaged. It’s hard to get it all right. Some new writers focus only on punchlines, while others get lost in long, overly-complicated plots. Murray Miller, an Emmy-nominated writer and producer behind shows like Girls, King of the Hill, and American Dad!, has a clear approach. He builds strong characters, lets humor grow naturally from the story, and keeps dialogue simple and easy to follow. His method shows that comedy works best when it feels real, clear, and memorable.
Here, we break down ten simple tips to help writers create TV comedy that people might remember and maybe even like. Below are simple steps to even if you’ve never written a script before.
1. Start With Strong Characters
Characters are the heart of TV shows. When we think back to the shows we really loved, we mostly remember the characters. Plus, a joke rarely lands if viewers don’t enjoy the person saying it. Writers should create characters with clear goals, fears, and quirks.
Characters must act naturally. They can be funny, surprising, flawed— execs like to tell you these characters most also be likable – I don’t know if that’s true but what does seem true to me is they must feel real. Like people you might actually meet in the real world. Murray Miller makes sure his characters feel relatable while still being unique. Strong characters give comedy a solid foundation that audiences connect with.
2. Let Humor Grow From the Story
Comedy works best when it comes from the story. Random jokes (set up/punch line) often fail or detract from the storyline. Every amusing moment should advance the plot or disclose information about the character. Don’t wrench your story to fit jokes – find jokes within the story you’re telling.
Each scene should provide a clear function for your story. Humor that fits the plot seems natural and memorable. And much of that humor won’t even come from jokey jokes—but hopefully from the strong, ridiculous, fun characters you created in step 1. Think about Kramer from Seinfeld – he rarely told a jokey joke—he just said things in his Kramer-y way and it was always memorable fun! Thus, Miller concentrates on story-driven humor.
3. Keep Timing Clear
Timing is very important in comedy. Writers should focus on rhythm in dialogue, reactions, and scene changes. In general, young writers overwrite their jokes. A good practice for your first scripts is – cut as many words as you can from your jokes. A pithy sentence always reads faster/funnier than the long-winded joke on the page. Murray Miller tries to keep his jokes short and tight – which allows you to get more of them on each page.
4. Observe Life for Ideas
The best comedy comes from real life. Small human quirks, simple problems, and normal situations give writers ideas for funny moments.
Humor that mirrors reality is familiar and approachable. Audiences find humor in recognizing oneself or acquaintances. Murray Miller often derives inspiration from quotidian occurrences and cultural phenomena. This approach makes comedy deeper and more memorable. The best way to do this, he says, is to keep a small notepad on you. Anytime something occurs in your life that seems like it might fit into a story one day, jot it down. That practice will give you endless material for story ideas… even if you don’t refer back to the notepad. The simple act of writing it down usually makes the good ones memorable.
5. Work With a Team
TV comedy rarely comes from one writer alone. Collaboration among writers, producers, and performers improves scripts. Feedback helps to enhance humor, situations, and plot clarity.
Teamwork allows writers to see problems and fix them early. Murray Miller always finds a way to collaborate. Even if you’re not on a show – send the script out to friends and family, get feedback – riff on your ideas at lunch—it will only make it better. Murray believes that we often tell the best version of the story when we’re saying it out loud.
6. Take Bold Risks
Comedy becomes unforgettable when it really surprises viewers. Writers should not fear bold ideas. A show’s standout features include unusual people, unexpected circumstances, and inventive stories.
Taking chances often make new writers concerned—what if something rubs someone the wrong way — yet those truly out-of-the-box ideas often leave the greatest impact. Murray Miller’s work on 7 Days in Hell and Tour de Pharmacy demonstrates that sometimes the most bizarre concepts keep comedy feeling fresh.
7. Review and Refine
First drafts rarely create the best comedy. Writers should read scripts carefully. They can adjust timing, sharpen jokes, and strengthen the story. This is easiest to do with a little distance. If you can, put a draft away for a week or so, and then review it with fresh eyes. This will allow for the most effective revisions.
Revision is not just about removing words. It is about improving every scene and line. Murray Miller carefully refines scripts to make sure every moment works and is necessary. If it’s not working or necessary – change it or cut it. Don’t let decent mediocre scenes remain simply because they fulfill a plot point.
8. Follow a Simple Story Structure
A clear story helps comedy stay easy to follow. Writers should plan scenes, conflicts, and character goals. This structure makes it easy to place jokes naturally. Get your story really clear – a well defined beginning, middle, and end – before you start to write.
Strong story structure lets the humor happens without distracting from the plotline. Murray Miller shows that even complex joke tangents can work if the story stays simple and easy to follow.
9. Learn From Successful Comedy
Watching successful shows – shows you love – and studying them – the pacing, the storylines—also reading the scripts — helps new writers find their own voice.
Murray Miller continues to study current comedies to see how they connect with viewers..
Putting it all together
In short, Murray Miller begins with memorable characters, allows comedy to emerge from the story, watches life for inspiration for those stories, and works with others to refine the script.
