Category: Opinion

Are summer TV shows more enjoyable than fall TV shows?

Back in the day, the answer to the question in our headline would have been a resounding, “No!!!” Throughout the 20th Century summer was notoriously the time when the networks played off the stuff they thought was crap. Now, however:

summer-tv-tvwriter.comby Jaylen Christie

It seems to be an accepted fact among my colleagues and friends that I’m not particularly fond of scorching temperatures – which is rather interesting considering that summer is one of my all-time favorite seasons. You see, I am a big fan of summer television. In fact, I honestly believe it’s the best form of broadcast programming. While there may be some individuals who don’t particularly share my sentiment, I stand by my unadulterated belief. Simply put, summer TV is damn awesome.

Don’t believe me? Take a gander at your local listings. read article

LB Sees HBO’s TRUE BELIEVER Trailer

true_detective-tvwriter.com

Being a “true believer” in the talent of both Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey or, if there’s a credit problem between them, of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, I’ve been looking forward to the arrival of this new series in January of 2014.

Well, actually, let’s make that “I had been looking forward to it. read article

Time to Stop Hating on L.A.

…Cuz if you really, really, really want to write for TV or films, by which we mean that your entire heart and soul are wrapped up with that ambition, you’ve got to face facts: You must live here.

Which is why we’re happy to present this little guide we found about making L.A. work for ya:

L.A.-tvwriter.com read article

Herbie J Pilato: No “Bones” About It: Actors Should Interpret the Words of the Writer – Not Change Them To Suit Their Needs

We have it on good authority that all the Barrymores said what was in the script!
We have it on good authority that all the Barrymores said what was in the script (?!)

by Herbie J Pilato

A few years back, Zap2it.com reported how actor David Boreanaz, star of the Fox forensic drama Bones (and former lead vampire on Angel and Buffy, the Vampire Slayer) found it was acceptable to improvise the lines of dialogue he’s given to perform.

However, Boreanaz wasn’t allowed to do that on Angel and Buffy, as Joss Whedon, the creator, producer and periodic director of both shows, forbade such acting antics.  “That became very frustrating,” Boreanaz said at the time.  “For an actor to be able to create and also have a sense of freedom, you have to be able to revolve around those words and create around those words. Now, you can take the written word and have your subtext tell more than is written on the page, which is always fun and challenging too. But it’s always great to revolve around the words and improvise and change things, because that comes from the character’s perspective and point of view.”

Oh, pluueeze! Dude, this isn’t Whose Line Is It Anyway, and you’re not Drew Carey.  You’re an actor and, as any true thespian will tell you, that, when it comes to your craft, one is ultimately and ideally supposed to interpret the given lines that a writer (be they William Shakespeare or Aaron Spelling) has written, word for word. read article

The Center for the Study of Women in TV & Film Has Good News

centerforthestudyofwomenintvandfilm

Make of it what you will Department:

The Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University, which we hear (via its website) is “the most widely cited and trusted source of information on the representation of women in film and television,” has announced that the employment of women in the television industry reached a record high in 2012-2013. read article