Is Every Film Ever Made Becoming a TV Series This Year? Yikes!

Time now for all of us to get up to date so we can properly castigate one of the absolutely dumbest trends in current TV programming:

Devils-Advocate

by Oliver Lyttleton

Network TV is reaching the point of critical mass similar to the one that shook the music industry a few years ago: a crucible of absolute, sheer panic. Ratings plummet every year, very few shows work or connect on a big level, and even the biggest flagship series are watching their ratings matched or superseded by upstarts from cable TV and streaming services. The result is that executives are floundering desperately, and the next development season indicates that extant hysteria, with a slew of projects that aim to translate brand-name movies to TV. read article

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 11/20/14

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Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are=&0=& (THE GOOD WIFE) is developing a creepy CBS drama about “a prominent Boston family who…struggles to redefine itself” while under suspicion that one of its members is a murderer. (Wow, the spirit of Shonda Rimes is everywhere, no? Where do they find these clones?) Joe Caren (playwright and TV newbie) is writing a Fox drama series called The SYSTEM, about an ensemble of 20-somethings trying to survive their dealings with the criminal justice system. (Did I ever tell you guys about my close call with the criminal justice system? For reals. I was thisclose to a part as a “funny D.A.’s assistant” on LAW & ORDER back in my even younger youth. But then somebody saw my attempt at stand-up and they knew I was all wrong for the funny part. Sigh….) =&1=& (stand-ups, the both of them) are writing the pilot for a semi-autobiographical comedy series based on Ali (cuz nobody knows Jackie or cares about his life, I reluctantly suppose.) =&2=& (LAW & ORDER) has a new overall deal with Fox TV. (Which this particular munchacho figures must be exciting as all hell for her, but man does it bum me out. Cuz Chris hates me, you see, since that time when I…oh, right, TMI. You’ll have to wait for my autobiographical comedy series, gang. Wonder if I can get Jackie Clarke to co-write. I hear he’s hot right now.)

That’s it for now. Write in and tell munchilito what you’ve sold today. TVWriter™ can’t wait to brag to all your friends. (And, more importantly, enemies. Hehehe….)

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 11/19/14

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Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are=&0=& (DADS, but the network is trying to position him as a newbie) has sold his spec comedy, JUSTIN AND ABBY AND OH YEA ZACK TOO, to CBS. (I like the premise, though: “The ensemble comedy centers on platonic best friends Justin and Abby — and Abby’s boyfriend, who feels like a third wheel.” Maybe cuz I’ve – uh-oh – been there.) =&1=& (yer muncher is tired of citing credits from shows he never heard of so I’m leaving this space blank, well, sorta) is writing the pilot for the Fox family comedy LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON, about a dad who’s trying to keep his son from being as screwed up as he is. (Hey, I’m liking that premise too, even though my experience as a Typical Millennial tells me it’ll be impossible for the daddy to succeed.)

That’s it for now. Write in and tell munchilito what you’ve sold today. TVWriter™ can’t wait to brag to all your friends. (And, more importantly, enemies. Hehehe….)

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 11/18/14

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Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are=&0=& (INTERSTELLAR) is developing Isaac Asimov‘s FOUNDATION series of books into a series for HBO. (And yer munchiness is curious as hell re what Asimov, who was all about the word, would think of whatever script Jonny boy comes up with. Anybody want to venture a guess. Give it a go cuz, after all, nobody will ever be able to prove you wrong.) Bryan Cranston & David Shore (if you need to ask who these dudes are there’s no reason for you to read any further here) are co-writing SNEAKY PETE, a CBS drama about a con man who hides his past by taking the name of his cellmate. (Cuz, I gotta assume, the protagonist’s crimes are much worse than the other guys…but what would Isaac Asimov have defined as “worse” anyway?) =&1=& (WILL & GRACE) are co-writing a Fox comedy series about a single mother, her kids, and her grifter (as in con man?) father when they move from New Jersey to L.A. (Whatcha think, Asimov fans? Would the good doctor have gone for this one? Why? Why not? Huh? Huh?) Andrea Newman (CHICAGO FIRE) is writing the pilot for a “supernatural thriller in a realistic tone” for NBC. (Leading yer favorite munchhausen to turn to the late Mr. Asimov and wonder – aloud – “If they want realism, why use a writer from CHICAGO FIRE? Whaddaya think, Isaac?” Uh-oh, Dr. Asimov is frowning. Guess you’d have to be one of the 4 people in the universe who watched CHICAGO FIRE to know what I’m talking about. Oh well….)

That’s it for now. Write in and tell munchilito what you’ve sold today. TVWriter™ can’t wait to brag to all your friends. (And, more importantly, enemies. Hehehe….)

Fall 2014 TV Ratings Scorecard

As creators, future creators, or even past creators, of television series, it behooves all of us to keep in mind the basic rule of TV success:

“It isn’t about creating a series that’s good. It’s about creating a series that works.”
Larry Brody

And by “works,” we mean, “gets high ratings.” read article