Combining the Types
Sketches can and should be combinations of sketch types. You can have a character-based sketch that also has an interesting premise, or a sketch in an interesting location that also has strong character elements. Following is an example of a sketch that uses all three. It takes place at Christmas time, inside a department store's Santa's Village. A man is hired to play Santa and his girlfriend is playing the part of his elf. So we have an interesting location, interesting characters, and a funny situation. For the premise, they are having an argument and on the verge of breaking up, but they have it in front of the kids while they're working.
Another Christmas Story
A DEPARTMENT STORE SANTA'S VILLAGE DURING THE BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON. FRED AND JOANNE ENTER FROM OPPOSITE SIDES, OBVIOUSLY IN A HURRY. AS THEY START TAKING OFF THEIR COATS WE SEE THAT THEY ARE WEARING THEIR COSTUMES (SANTA AND ELF) UNDERNEATH THEIR WINTER GEAR. THEY START GETTING READY FOR WORK.
FRED
Look, I can explain.
JOANNE
I don't want to talk to you anymore, you pig. We have one more day on this job and then I want you out of my life. You can pack up your things and get out — tonight!
FRED
But it's Christmas Eve! Where am I supposed to go? Look, I'm sorry. I was drunk. It was the temp agency Christmas party, there was mistletoe. Sheila means nothing to me!
STORE MANAGER MR. JENKINS ENTERS, INTERRUPTING THE ARGUMENT.
MR. JENKINS
Aren't you two ready yet? The doors just opened, a thousand kids will be here any minute. Hurry up!
DOZENS OF KIDS AND PARENTS ARRIVE AND START LINING UP. FRED SITS DOWN IN SANTA'S CHAIR, WHILE JOANNE APPROACHES AMY, THE FIRST CHILD IN LINE.
JOANNE
(with a real attitude)
I guess you want to see Santa.
AMY
Yes, please.
JOANNE WALKS AMY UP TO FRED AND AMY GETS ON HIS LAP. JOANNE STANDS BY FRED'S SIDE.
FRED
Well, little girl, what do you want for Christmas?
AMY
I want a makeup set, and a Flower Fun Factory, and most of all I want a Dream Wedding Barbie.
JOANNE ABRUPTLY TAKES AMY OFF SANTA'S LAP.
JOANNE (bitterly)
Yeah, tell Barbie to keep dreaming.
AMY LOOKS A LITTLE SHOCKED AND EXITS AS JOANNE BRINGS THE NEXT LITTLE BOY, BILLY, UP TO SEE SANTA.
BILLY
I'm Billy! I want to sit on Santa's lap!
JOANNE PLACES BILLY ON FRED'S LAP.
JOANNE (directed to Fred)
Oh, you mean the same lap that Santa paid a stripper to dance on at his loser brother's bachelor party? Sure, Billy, go right ahead. I hope you've had your booster shots.
JOANNE STANDS NEXT TO THEM.
BILLY (nervous and a bit sad)
Santa, I want a lot of presents, but … I wasn't always so good this year.
FRED (talking to Billy but directing his line sarcastically to Joanne)
That's okay, Billy. We can't always be good all the time. But as long as we're sorry people should cut us some slack and forgive us instead of sending us out into the cold!
BILLY BECOMES AFRAID OF SANTA, JUMPS OFF HIS LAP, AND RUNS TO HIS MOTHER. JOANNE APPROACHES THE NEXT CHILD, MEGAN.
MEGAN
I want to tell Santa what I want for Christmas.
JOANNE (putting Megan on Santa's lap)
Well, Santa's great at making empty promises he never intends to keep, so go ahead. Ask away.
JOANNE STARTS TO GET THE NEXT KID WHEN FRED TAKES MEGAN OFF HIS LAP. HE STANDS UP, PULLS OFF HIS BEARD, AND TAKES OFF HIS HAT.
FRED (desperate)
Look, I'm sorry. She meant nothing to me. I love you. There, I said it! you're the only woman I ever loved. I know you don't deserve a jerk like me, but I need you and if you leave me, I'll just die…. So what do you say?
ALL THE KIDS (whimpering)
AD LIB: Don 't let Santa die!
JOANNE (getting misty-eyed)
You really meant that? You love me?
FRED
You know I do!
FRED PICKS UP JOANNE IN HIS ARMS. THEY HUG EACH OTHER AS THE KIDS CHEER.
FRED
Kids, I'll be back in ten minutes. Santa has to go … feed the reindeer!
FRED CARRIES JOANNE OFF AS THEY KISS.
END
