Comments on: Watch and Learn: 10 Television Shows for Writers

By: Rin

Rin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:35:07 +0000

The irony is I was just about to watch Firefly. Maybe I’m a blasphemer, but I’ve never seen it; the reason I AM is because I’ve had some people suggest that I should. Then again, it aired when I was a bit younger and more addicted to the internet than TV.

Though I do adore House. I wasn’t surprised to see it on the list. I mean that in a good way. Season 6 ended what, about a month ago? There has been a void in my life since then.

By: Larry

Larry — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:52:44 +0000

@Blair — sorry Dude, but that’s not true. The series “Dexter” is based on a 2004 novel called “Darkly Dreaming Dexter” by writer Jeff Lindsay, who doesn’t appear in the show. The actor who plays Dexter is a career thespian named Michael C. Hall, who is involved in the executive production function as well.

By: Blair

Blair — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:33:13 +0000

Does everyone know the man who plays Dexter actually wrote the novels?

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:14:29 +0000

@Sky – loved “Pushing Daisies.” The big “boss” guy is playing essentially the same role on the new “Human Target” show, which isn’t nearly as good. Seems like they cancel the good stuff too quickly (“Dirty Sexy Money” and “Eli Stone” come to mind). Thanks for commenting! L.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:34:57 +0000

Another great show is “Pushing Daisies”. Not a lot of big names attached but well written and Narrated by Jim Dale of Harry Potter audio book fame.
It combines well written dialogue and storyline of a pie maker with the ability to bring things back to life with certain rules.
It’s canceled now sadly after roughly two seasons but it was great while it lasted.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:20:08 +0000

Although I’m new to the site and am slowly catching up I have to agree with Russell. The Wire, in my opinion, is the best show to ever grace television. It probably helped that the executive producer was a writer himself (David Simon who wrote “Homicide”) and much of the show was based on what he saw, but the stories and characters are so rich and intertwined that it is hard for any other show to compare.

I highly recommend it to anyone who has a love for television and writing as it really sets the bar for both.

By: russell

russell — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:36:27 +0000

The Wire. That is all.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:31:17 +0000

I have to agree with Medium. Love it! One of my favorite series as far as characterization was NYPD Blue. The evolution of Andy Sipowitz from the beginning to end of that series was so compelling that I still remember a few of the best lines.

By: Must-Read Writing Articles for NaNoWriMo

Must-Read Writing Articles for NaNoWriMo — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:20:40 +0000

[...] Watch and Learn: 10 Television Shows for Writers, Larry Brooks for Storyfix [...]

By: Lacer

Lacer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:39:03 +0000

I totally agree, TV can be very inspiring, specially for things like pacing plot. I live in the UK, so my list is a little different but for me it has to be (in a rough order from the top)

Merlin – sort of a Smallville for Arthur and Merlin, I think the way how, particularly the latest series, packs in so much per episode, as well as each stand alone story, you have the overall story arc of Merlin and Arthur growing into the characters they will be. Merlin always makes me want to rush to my keyboard.

Doctor Who, particularly most of the Russell T Davies episodes – now I know how it’s fashionable to knock Davies but he is a master at compressing so much information into an episode, whilst not overloading you and still entertaining you. Plus I like his story arcs, characterisation and dialogue. Davies book on writing, although about screen writing, is an inspiration for any writer, particularly on how he works (not a method to be recommended, he always misses deadlines) is great because it’s always good to see how another writer thinks.

Torchwood, particularly Children of the Earth – great for seeing how far boundaries can be pushed and exploring behaviours in authority that in the scenario could be all too frighteningly realistic.

Spooks – for pacing and not being frightened to get rid of characters and growing from that.

Plus favourite US shows: Buffy (of course), Heroes (in most parts), Twin Peaks (up to the point they found Bob, after that it was an exercise in when not to continue a story), X-files (early series, but like Twin Peaks an exercise for when they should of stopped), Farscape (went on a bit too long) and Babylon 5 (ditto), so other than thinking a lot of my favourite US shows should have finished before they actually did, all great for story arcs and pace.