Writing for Episodic TV: From Freelance to Showrunner

[Filmfelinemeowmeow]

Thanks, but if that's all true, where did 'quality television' go?

[BurOak]

Originally Posted by Filmfelinemeowmeow

Thanks, but if that's all true, where did 'quality television' go?

As dead as most of the actors, writers, producers, and directors who, together, created it.

[CthulhuRises]

Originally Posted by Filmfelinemeowmeow

Thanks, but if that's all true, where did 'quality television' go?

It went to premium channels like HBO.

Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones, Dexter, The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Homeland, etc.

There's still plenty of great shows out there. Just fewer on basic cable.

[Dr. Vergerus]

Probably the best book on TV writing:

http://www.amazon.com/Television-Wri.../dp/1557835012

[Filmfelinemeowmeow]

Originally Posted by BurOak

As dead as most of the actors, writers, producers, and directors who, together, created it.

sniff, sniff, sniff

you're right, cable stations still have some nice shows, but have you noticed how almost all put 'close to' porn into the show to 'grab' the audience? The Tudors, Big Love etc., American Horror story. Gotta say Big Love is ok, a friend of mine writes for it, the rest I'm not too keen about. But damn! The Walking Dead got me waiting for the next eeeeeepyz

[christopher jon]

Originally Posted by CthulhuRises

It went to premium channels like HBO.

Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones, Dexter, The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Homeland, etc.

There's still plenty of great shows out there. Just fewer on basic cable.

There was never a time when everything on TV was quality. We only remember the good stuff and tend to forget such gems as Manimal and Homeboys From Outter Space. Supertrain needs a reboot!

but have you noticed how almost all put 'close to' porn into the show to 'grab' the audience?

Aint nothin' wrong with that.

[CthulhuRises]

Originally Posted by christopher jon

There was never a time when everything on TV was quality. We only remember the good stuff and tend to forget such gems as Manimal and Homeboys From Outter Space. Supertrain needs a reboot!


Aint nothin' wrong with that.

Oh, I agree. I never asserted that everything on TV used to be quality. I was simply saying that today the majority of quality shows are on premium channels.

[christopher jon]

Oh, I agree. I never asserted that everything on TV used to be quality. I was simply saying that today the majority of quality shows are on premium channels.

Zoiks!

My quote of you was supposed to include your quote of filmfeline as to where did quality TV go.

While I'm here, I just rewatched Space: Above and Beyond and the Highlander TV series for retro shits n' giggles and they make the V reboot and Falling Skies look like masterpiece theater by comparison. They were nowhere near as good as I nostalgically remembered.

But yeah, the premium channels tend to have a lock on the better shows these days but for whatever reason network shows still get the bulk of the audience. Perhaps we're all TV snobs and not in tune with the unwashed masses.

[CthulhuRises]

Originally Posted by christopher jon

Zoiks!

My quote of you was supposed to include your quote of filmfeline as to where did quality TV go.

While I'm here, I just rewatched Space: Above and Beyond and the Highlander TV series for retro shits n' giggles and they make the V reboot and Falling Skies look like masterpiece theater by comparison. They were nowhere near as good as I nostalgically remembered.

But yeah, the premium channels tend to have a lock on the better shows these days but for whatever reason network shows still get the bulk of the audience. Perhaps we're all TV snobs and not in tune with the unwashed masses.

It always boggles my mind how CBS shows like NCIS and the five hundred CSI's always pull massive ratings. Then I realize, my dad loves all of those shows. And guys like him seem to comprise most of the Nielsen ratings.

P.S., I used to love the Highlander show! When I was a kid, I would stay up late and watch USA all night. "Highlander", "Silk Stalkings", "Renegade". Great stuff...at least back then I thought it was.

[christopher jon]

P.S., I used to love the Highlander show! When I was a kid, I would stay up late and watch USA all night. "Highlander", "Silk Stalkings", "Renegade". Great stuff...at least back then I thought it was.

Don't look back, you can never look back.

Don Henley, Boys of Summer

Some of those old shows don't hold up very well.

It always boggles my mind how CBS shows like NCIS and the five hundred CSI's always pull massive ratings. Then I realize, my dad loves all of those shows. And guys like him seem to comprise most of the Nielsen ratings.

Which is why guys like Bruckheimer are so successful, they understand their audience and deliver what that audience wants.

All of that other stuff writers like to nit-pick over and complain about when stories lack it, Bruckheimer and Co don't care. They toss all that junk out the window and stick to the basics.

People like to crawl into their couch, turn on the TV and enjoy simple entertainment after a long day at work. Not saying TV is easy but hit the right emotional chords for your audience and they are happy campers.