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Funny business: Comedy workshop, contest open to Midwest writers

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Bo Kaprall
Twin Cities resident Bo Kaprall currently writes for "Saturday Night Live." He is also a producer who has written for "Laverne & Shirley" and "Welcome Back, Kotter." Kaprall is one of the organizers of the Upper Midwest Sitcom Writing Competition.
MPR Photo/Euan Kerr

Can you turn the world on with a smile? A couple of the area's top comedy writers hope you can.

Scott Hansen and Bo Kaprall, veterans of the entertainment business, are leading the first Upper Midwest Sitcom Writing Competition. They are offering prizes for the three best scripts. First prize includes an introduction to show producers in Los Angeles.

The contest is limited to residents of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas, and the long-term aim of the contest is to nurture new writing talent here.

Kaprall is currently a freelance writer for "Saturday Night Live." He is also a producer who has written for hits from the 1970s like "Laverne & Shirley" and "Welcome Back, Kotter."

He acted in more than a few shows, too. He said that when he worked with Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams on "Laverne & Shirley," they tried to capture Midwestern sensibilities.

Details about the contest and the September sitcom writing workshop are available here.

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Bo Kaprall
Twin Cities resident Bo Kaprall currently writes for "Saturday Night Live." He is also a producer who has written for "Laverne & Shirley" and "Welcome Back, Kotter." Kaprall is one of the organizers of the Upper Midwest Sitcom Writing Competition.
MPR Photo/Euan Kerr