Advanced TV Writing: Comedy Sketch Writing

Harvard Extension School

CREA E-141

Section 1

CRN 27014

View Course Details
In this course, students develop comedy sketch-writing skills by studying the work of masters of the genre and by drafting and revising the components of a professional submission packet: evergreen topical jokes, fake commercials, conceptual pieces, and original comedic characters. We analyze the comedic structure and use of escalation in classic sketch templates (television and film parodies, political satire, and digital shorts), as well as sketches written for iconic productions, including Saturday Night Live, Key and Peele, and The Chappelle Show. In workshop, students experience the professional pitching and rewriting process as they refine their comedic voice. Students also have the opportunity to visit and study in the television comedy capital, Hollywood, where they meet with professional distinguished comedy writers, participate in a writing workshop, and attend the taping of a current comedy television series, schedule permitting.

Instructor Info

Hugh Fink, BFA

Writer and Producer


Meeting Info

Sa 12:00pm - 8:00pm (5/9 - 5/9)
Su 12:00pm - 4:00pm (5/10 - 5/10)
Th 8:10pm - 10:10pm (1/26 - 5/16)
F 9:00pm - 11:59pm (5/8 - 5/8)

Participation Option: On Campus or Online Synchronous

Deadlines

Last day to register: January 22, 2026

Prerequisites

A beginning-level creative writing course or permission of the instructor.

Notes

This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. See minimum technology requirements. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency in Los Angeles, California. Please see syllabus for details about the weekend meeting locations. Students must be present for the entire weekend session in Los Angeles, California to earn credit for the course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the weekend session. Note that students will also be responsible for paying for tickets for additional scheduled events (for example, a studio tour or a visit to a comedy club); see syllabus for details. International Students see important visa information.

All meeting times listed in Eastern time.

All Sections of this Course

CRN Section # Participation Option(s) Instructor Section Status Meets Term Dates
27014 1 On Campus, Online Synchronous Hugh Fink Open Sa 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Su 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Th 8:10pm - 10:10pm
F 9:00pm - 11:59pm
Jan 26 to May 16