Question for Cheese

[Dback Jon]

When you are writing for a TV series, do you try to account for today's viewing habits as far as binge-watching?

Reason I ask is Alex and I have gotten turned off on a few shows (like Hawaii 5-0, Graceland) due to the repetitive nature of many episodes, especially in the dialogue.

Example would be the "playful banter" between McGarrett and Danno in Hawaii 5-0. It gets old really quick when watching multiple episodes at once, as it is basically the exact same dialogue each week. That might work when you are seeing one episode a week, but gets really annoying when binging.


Thanks!

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Jon,

Maybe you and Alex should watch those shows once a week. Problem solved.

 

[Chaplin]

I know you didn't ask me, but there's a difference when writing for a weekly show vs. a show that is being released on Netflix with all episodes at once. Nobody will write a weekly show with the thought being on how people will watch after its been released on home video/Netflix, where binging is possible.

Most procedurals are repetitive, but the rub is that they are super successful.

 

[Cheesebeef]

when pitching a show or writing a pilot, I really only write what I want to write. What entertains me. The hope is it entertains others, but if I'm not writing a show that I want to watch, whether it's procedure or long-arc based, it's going to suck because I won't be passionate about it.

but while writing for a show already on TV, it all depends on what you're writing. A show like 5-0 isn't made for binge watching. It's a formula, one that repeats itself pretty much every episode and is actually VERY difficult to write. I can freely admit I struggled a little bit with it last year on NCIS:NOLA. I had never written that type of show, much less watched one, but I got the hang of it after a while... even though I completely melted down in my second episode of the season. They're really tough... writing puzzles in essence and if you're not a master puzzle guy, it can drive you crazy. Those who are able to make it consistently engaging I tip my hat to because every mystery has seemingly died a thousand deaths on a thousand shows by now.

 

[Dback Jon]

I know you didn't ask me, but there's a difference when writing for a weekly show vs. a show that is being released on Netflix with all episodes at once. Nobody will write a weekly show with the thought being on how people will watch after its been released on home video/Netflix, where binging is possible.

Most procedurals are repetitive, but the rub is that they are super successful.

If they don't write with that in mind, maybe they should start - binge watching, not just Netflix type releases, is becoming a staple of TV viewing.

when pitching a show or writing a pilot, I really only write what I want to write. What entertains me. The hope is it entertains others, but if I'm not writing a show that I want to watch, whether it's procedure or long-arc based, it's going to suck because I won't be passionate about it.

but while writing for a show already on TV, it all depends on what you're writing. A show like 5-0 isn't made for binge watching. It's a formula, one that repeats itself pretty much every episode and is actually VERY difficult to write. I can freely admit I struggled a little bit with it last year on NCIS:NOLA. I had never written that type of show, much less watched one, but I got the hang of it after a while... even though I completely melted down in my second episode of the season. They're really tough... writing puzzles in essence and if you're not a master puzzle guy, it can drive you crazy. Those who are able to make it consistently engaging I tip my hat to because every mystery has seemingly died a thousand deaths on a thousand shows by now.

Yes, we figured out 5-0 is not a binge watching show. Basically the same episode every week.

I can imagine having to wrap up a story line every week (with a few cliff-hanger exceptions) makes it tough - instead of a nice story arc, you have to come up with a new story each week. And with ensemble casts, I imagine you have to do a fair amount of work ensuring the proscribed division of dialogue.

 

[Chaplin]

If they don't write with that in mind, maybe they should start - binge watching, not just Netflix type releases, is becoming a staple of TV viewing.

That is absolutely going to be something to look at going forward. Lost really broke the mold when it came to that--a weekly serial show that was as binge-worthy as anything before it (and arguably after). It was groundbreaking in that respect. And people have been trying to duplicate it ever since--just not in the procedural realm.