Comedy show to be developed online

Budding writers are being invited to help create a new BBC sitcom that will be developed over the internet.

The corporation wants to find a team of six to work on Cleaners, which BBCi is boasting as a world first as the whole process - from initial plot outline to final draft - will be available for the public to see.

BBC staff have already developed the show's format, based around a group of late-night office cleaners.

The six writers selected will work at a virtual writers' table to discuss characters and storylines, which anyone will be able to look in on.

Web surfers can also add their comments and ideas and chat to one of the writers each week.

Comedy Development Editor Micheal Jacob said: "This is a real adventure. We hope the result will be good for the writers taking part and entertaining for the people watching the script develop.

"It is a step into unknown territory, and I am excited about working with the team to produce a script we will all be proud of."

When the writers have produced an episode, with advice from Fred Barron who created the sitcom My Family, the script will be read by actors and streamed via BBCi.

The successful writers will be announced on 2 August, and the scheme is due to end in mid-November.

Information about the project will be available at the BBC's online Writer's Room.

Published: 8 Jul 2002