Last week we announced the finalists in the Other Network Comedy Contest. This week we're happy to announce...

The runner up in the comedy contest is Derek Taylor Kent, primarily for his "Original Sketch Packet", but also for his other entries, all of which were very nicely done.

And the winner is...

Deborah Gross for her blog "Conversations With Deb".

We admit that we're a little partial to reality, but we admired the way wrote her own lines in life - and found the funny as it unfolded around her. Also, for finding a way to put the work out as it happened without having to wait for a greenlight from anyone else. Since, let's face it, the green lights are getting harder and harder to get, even for seasoned professionals.

Congratulations to Deb and to all the entries for your hard work.

We're proud to announce the finalists of the Other Network Comedy Contest 2009-10.

Several people sent in multiple script entries this year and, while each individual entry was read 'blind' (no cover page or author info), when we realize that someone wrote more than one script that made it into the finals, we're kind of impressed. That is definitely the kind of thing that an agent or showrunner will look for.

One good script is good, but several good scripts let people know that the writer is prolific - and that's one of the essential ingredients for a career writing comedy.

That being said, the potential winners, in no particular order, are...

Shaz Bennett, "Alaska is a Drag" (Original Pilot)

Brendan Rovan & Timothy Cascino, "Curb Your Enthusiasm: Larry's NSD" (Spec Script)

Teddy Goldsmith, "30 Rock: Fear of a Fat Cat" (Spec Script)

Sara Cravens & Teddy Goldsmith, "Welcome to Stankley" (Original Pilot)

Tyler Burton Smith, "30 Rock: Little People Boxing" (Spec Script)

Deborah Gross, " Conversations With Deb" (Blog Entries)

Derek Taylor Kent "Original Sketch Pack" (He didn't waste any creativity on the title), "The Sarah Silverman Program: When Sarah Met Groucho" (Spec Script), "30 Rock: Poached Lemon" (Spec Script).

Thank you all for your hard work, and for making us laugh. Stay tuned for the winner(s).

At least one winner in the 'personal essay' category of the Other Network Comedy Contest will get read and considered for publication on freshyarn.com by Executive Editor Hillary Carlip.

freshyarn is the premiere website for personal essays, and several peeps have actually gotten BOOK DEALS and AGENTS from having their material published on the site. We also know people who submitted material and waited months for a reply. The Other Network Contest will help you cut to the head of the line.

Get your work featured alongside published authors, essayists, NPR contributors, film and TV writers like Jenny Bicks (Sex and the City), Cindy Caponera (Saturday Night Live), Lisa Cholodenko (High Art), Illeana Douglas (To Die For, the Larry Sanders Show), Paul Feig (Freaks & Geeks), Kate Flannery (The Office), Mimi Friedman (Will & Grace, Big Love), Eric Gilliland (Roseanne, My Boys), Dana Gould (The Simpsons), Melanie Hutsell (Saturday Night Live), Gary Janetti (Will & Grace, Family Guy), and many others. Enter Other Network Comedy Contest- deadline Dec. 15.

Are you nervous because you're afraid someone will steal your underlying idea or even your script itself?

A writer recently contacted me via LinkedIn expressing concern about submitting a script to The Other Network Comedy Contest (or any contest). Here's my response:

You can create a paper trail and 'protect' your script by registering it with the Writer's Guild (it's not a copyright per se, but it establishes ownership on a certain date).

The underlying concept is actually less secure since you can't copyright an idea, just the 'specific expression of the idea'. That's why lawsuits usually focus on specific characters, scenes and story structure. There's really no way to totally protect an idea and still get your work seen. It's vaguely reassuring to submit your script through an agent, manager or lawyer if you have one, but still not much protection except against blatant theft - which is rare.

As the nervous writer said, "in order to get it out there you just gotta get it out there."

I can tell you that establishing a relationship with a talented writer is more valuable to someone in the business than co-opting one idea and burning a bridge. And you should be generating enough material so that you don't have to be overly precious and paranoid about any one script or idea. I can also tell you that our specific reader pool is small, we know them all personally and can vouch for their discretion and confidentiality. I can't vouch for any other contests.

Let me know if you have any other questions. We look forward to stealing... I mean 'seeing' your work.

btw, if you do decide to take the plunge and submit your script, you may want to take a look at our previous blog 8 Rewrite Notes for Any Comedy Script and do one more punchup rewrite on your script. I can tell you without even having read it that these notes will make it better.

The Other Network Comedy Contest deadline is Dec. 15, 2009 and we're happy to announce that at least one winner will get their work seen by Comedy Central VP of Development, and executive producer of the Comedy Central Stage, Gary S. Mann, who also previously worked at HBO.

Also in the pool of potential reader/advisors is two-time Emmy-winner and multiple nominee Brent Forrester, currently working as Consulting Producer on "The Office", previously Co-EP on "King of the Hill", Co-Producer on "The Simpsons" and writer on "The Ben Stiller Show" - among others. He's also prepping his own pilot to shoot this spring.

This year the contest is accepting any comedy format: TV spec scripts, original TV pilots, feature screenplays, plays, personal essays, sketch packets, shorts, produced pilots, standup performances, et. al. - with potential winners in every category.

Previous winners have had their work reviewed by Bob Odenkirk ("Mr. Show", "Saturday Night Live"), Alan Zweibel ("Curb Your Enthusiasm", "It's Garry Shandling's Show)", Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein ("The Simpsons", "The Mullets"), Cindy Chupack ("Sex and the City", "Everybody Loves Raymond") and other top comedy showrunners, plus managers at Brillstein-Grey, agents at Metropolitan, execs at Starz and Comedy Central. Get details and enter now.

The Other Network Comedy Contest deadline is Dec. 15, 2009 and we're happy to announce a special guest judge this year: Erin Keating.

Erin is a development consultant at IFC TV focused on original series development and production. Before that she was director of programming and development at Magna Global Entertainment, produced for ComedyNet, was a development consultant to BBC America, worked at NBC and Comedy Central.

The contest deadline is Dec. 15, 2009 and this year, the contest is accepting any comedy format: TV spec scripts, original TV pilots, feature screenplays, plays, personal essays, sketch packets, shorts, produced pilots, even standup - with potential winners in every category. And what do winners win?

Other contests give you cash or software. The Other Network Comedy Contest is the only contest that actually gets your foot in the Hollywood door: we put winners work into the hands of top TV showrunners to put you on their radar - and get their feedback on your work.

Previous winners have had their work reviewed by Bob Odenkirk, Alan Zweibel, Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein, Cindy Chupack and other top comedy professionals, plus managers at Brillstein-Grey, agents at Metropolitan, execs at Starz and Comedy Central. Get details and enter now.

Get your work read by top showrunners
DEADLINE: DEC. 15, 2009
Fill out this form to enter now

Previous winners have had their work seen by agents at UTA and Metropolitan, managers at Brillstein-Grey, executives at Fox, Comedy Central and Starz/Film Roman, producers and award-winning TV creators like:

ALAN ZWEIBEL ("Saturday Night Live", "It's Garry Shandling's Show")
BOB ODENKIRK ("Mr. Show", "Saturday Night Live", "Tenacious D")
JOHN RIGGI ("The Comeback", "30 Rock", "The Larry Sanders Show")
JAY KOGEN ("The Simpsons", "Frasier")
BILL OAKLEY & JOSH WEINSTEIN ("The Simpsons", "The Mullets")
WINNIE HOLZMAN ("Wicked", "Thirtysomething", Creator of "My So-Called Life")
BRYAN FULLER ("Wonderfalls", "Heroes", "Pushing Daisies")
CINDY CHUPACK ("Sex and the City", "Everybody Loves Raymond")
BRENT FORRESTER ("The Office", "King of The Hill", "Undeclared")
ROB COHEN ("The Ben Stiller Show", "The Simpsons")
JON KINNALLY ("Ugly Betty", "Will & Grace")

>> YOUR WORK <<
- Can be an original piece of writing or
a 'spec' of a TV series that has aired
- Any comedy format on paper, DVD, CD, mini-DV, VHS
(essay, sketch, short, animation, monolog, etc.)
- Multiple submissions & re-submissions OK
(but please do a serious re-write!)
- Individual or group copyright ok

>> HOW TO ENTER <<