How TV Showrunners Work & Think

No, we aren’t going to bore you with a dissertation on the subject of writers supervising all the production elements of a television series. (Although we’re certainly glad it’s writers who usually get those gigs. Can you imagine what series run by directors would be like? Wait, you don’t have to imagine. Just look at any series produced by Steven Spielberg. Oy!)

Where were we? Oh, right. What we’re boring you with here today is how one specific showrunner works and thinks. Via an interview with Beau Willimon, Big Honcho of HOUSE OF CARDS. Brace yourselves:

Emmys__House_of_Cards__Beau Willimon read article

Power and Powerlessness in House of Cards

Overthinking It, um, overthinks again!

house-of-cards-banner

by John Perich

Netflix’s House of Cards boasts an extensive cast, but it follows the rise and fall of two men in particular: Francis Underwood and Peter Russo. Underwood is the majority whip of the House of Representatives; Russo, a representative from Pennsylvania. Russo seems fairly satisfied with the modest power he has: an attractive aide he can sleep with, the ability to do favors for his constituency, a big office. Underwood craves power at all times. read article

Top TVWriter™ Posts for the Week Ending 2/22/13

greatactor

Here they are, the most viewed TVWriter™ posts for the past week:

HOUSE OF CARDS Is a Losing Hand. read article

HOUSE OF CARDS Is a Losing Hand.

house-of-cards

HOUSE OF CARDS, is meant for the likes of me in one respect: I have recently streamed the entirety of shows like DOWNTON ABBEY, BREAKING BAD, SONS OF ANARCHY, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, GAME OF THRONES and the old and the new versions of UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS.

I enjoy watching serialized shows that leave me wanting more, but because I waited I don’t have to wait. read article

Will Marathon Viewing Become the TV Norm?

We think this is an issue worth discussing. We also think that the answer to the question will be “no,” at least in terms of the general – as in casual – audience. But true believer fans have always been marathon viewers. And now it’s become so much easier!

television2

by John Farier (Neatorama.Com) read article