Reaction vs Scripted Sketch / Skit

Reaction

Is the source playing while you respond, unscripted and in the moment? If you wrote the take afterwards, it is Commentary.

Is it written and performed as fiction? A true story from your own past told straight to camera is a Storytime.

Side-by-side comparison of Reaction and Scripted Sketch / Skit
	Reaction	Scripted Sketch / Skit
In one line	An unscripted, real-time response with the source content playing on screen beside you.	Written comedy or drama with characters, performance and a punchline.
On camera?	On camera	On camera
Hours a week	from 2, best around 6	from 8, best around 14
Budget floor	Up to £200	Up to £200
Editing needed	I can trim and cut	Comfortable — b-roll, captions, music
Schedule	regular	strict
Platforms	YouTube (long), YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Twitch	TikTok, YouTube Shorts, YouTube (long)
Demands	Time Equipment Editing Consistency	Time Equipment Editing Consistency
Choose it if	· Naturally expressive people who think out loud · Anyone with genuine expertise in what they are reacting to — that is the version that survives · Creators who want volume without a writing process	· People who can write and perform, which is a rarer pair than it looks · Recognisable recurring characters — the strongest retention device in short form · Anyone aiming at entertainment rather than information

Still not sure which one is yours?