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What makes for a good tv drama?
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| kush paintings |
I know this really doesn't fit the PDD, but I posted this in the CHill Out Room and got nothing but nonsense back, literally. If it bothers you that I posted this here, than just ignore it.
For those of you that watch some of the quality programming on TV, such as Nip/Tuck, CSI, the Soprano's, etc., what makes for a good tv drama series? How much drama do you like (Let's say Nip/Tuck is a 10, CSI is a 1, more subtle drama not neccessarily boring)? Which type of characters do you identify with the most?
Just curious. |
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| St_Andrew |
| Hmm, I don't really watch a lot of TV, I'm trying to follow a few "quality shows" tho, right now I'm watching Lost and Prison Break, I like them because they are rather well done, at least to be a TV show, and I like it because they both have good actors/good photage/editing. They are both quite predictable tho, which is kinda sad, but I guess they still have some kind of deeper picture than the normal show. I would like to see that kind of show but with more depth in it so you have to think more, like in a movie or something. Oh and of course, a TV drama like that should be really exciting too, so you just have to watch the next episode to see what's going to happen ;) |
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| Shakka |
Nip/Tuck is an awesome show (albeit this season has gotten off to a pretty ed up start!). I particularly like the music montages, though that's certainly not the only prerequisite for a good show.
The Shield is another great show--and not much music. It's just really intense. FX has really surprised me with the number of good shows they've put out in the last few years. |
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| metalgearsolid |
I used to follow angel and buffy. I really liked those shows because the script was always better than something from lets say prison break. The actors played thier roles really good and kind of always seemed that each episode was different from the last which is something I liked. Right now I am currently following Supernatural and smallville. I was following battlestar Galatica; but that channel is now gone.
I believe what makes a show a good drama is having charecters that might not be really possible in the human world but what a person can be like. Like all the different personalities coming together and watching them act together that creates good drama. |
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| kush paintings |
| The reason I like CSI and Nip/Tuck is because the characters have major flaws. This is done especially well in CSI, where these flaws are hinted at subtly. However, I keep comming back to CSI and Nip/Tuck because the two shows are complete opposites, where CSI revolves around subtle character development (more realistic), Nip/Tuck revolves around constant drama (more entertaining). I was curious though what characters people love and love to hate in shows. I have an idea for a tv show, and I want to draw off of what makes other shows successful, so I appreciate the input. |
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| Shakka |
| quote: | Originally posted by kush paintings
The reason I like CSI and Nip/Tuck is because the characters have major flaws. This is done especially well in CSI, where these flaws are hinted at subtly. However, I keep comming back to CSI and Nip/Tuck because the two shows are complete opposites, where CSI revolves around subtle character development (more realistic), Nip/Tuck revolves around constant drama (more entertaining). I was curious though what characters people love and love to hate in shows. I have an idea for a tv show, and I want to draw off of what makes other shows successful, so I appreciate the input. |
Well, aside from the obvious, good writing is ultimately the key. |
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| Subey |
| quote: | Originally posted by kush paintings
The reason I like CSI and Nip/Tuck is because the characters have major flaws. This is done especially well in CSI, where these flaws are hinted at subtly. However, I keep comming back to CSI and Nip/Tuck because the two shows are complete opposites, where CSI revolves around subtle character development (more realistic), Nip/Tuck revolves around constant drama (more entertaining). I was curious though what characters people love and love to hate in shows. I have an idea for a tv show, and I want to draw off of what makes other shows successful, so I appreciate the input. |
Is your analysis of your own tastes accurate? In the sense that don't you like CSI because it is ultimately "entertaining".
The equation should look something like this:
Storytelling = Teller + Audience
Teller = Story (defines content)+ Angle (defines players) + spin (defines desired audience reaction)
Audience = Entertained? but how?
Example:
Story: Tv/Drama/Subet Medical/Subset Doctor
Angle: Fish Out of Water
Spin: Comedy
Result: Northern Exposure
Real Result: Entertainment
Example:
Story: Tv/Drama/Subset Medical/Subset Doctor
Angle: Sherlock Holmes
Spin: Tension/Comedy hybrid
Result: House
Real Result: Entertainment
At the end of the day, you should strip away all the code and recognize that
TV = Stadium = Radio = Painting = Office Water Cooler = The Campfire
And at the end of the day we gather around it to hear a good story. |
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| kush paintings |
| I'm not saying CSI isn't entertaining, but it isn't the character developments that carry the show, rather the different crimes. My idea for a TV show revolves around the life of expats in Japan, the main character works at a hedge fund. I have noticed that with most TV dramas that are successful, their is a certain amount of stability brought with some sort of job that needs to be done every day/each episode. I am just curious as to what the balance should be between character development and the job action. |
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| Sunsnail |
| I don't watch any TV except for MadTV and other comedy shows like that. I think believability helps a show a lot. The show has to bring the audience in and care about what happens. |
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| Psy-T |
the last tv drama i gave a chance to was the OC, and during the course of 3-4 episodes it managed to completely disgust me.
i hated the nonstop drama from every direction, so unrealistic.
but still, that show is a huge success...
*shrugs shoulders* |
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| metalgearsolid |
| Kush your idea for a show sucks; why dont you elaborate some more. |
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| Yoepus |
I defintely like the quality shows: Writing, Actors, Film.
My favorite shows in order this season are:
Rome (HBO... I was a Classic Minor and a big Roman buff. They have done the best repersentation of roman society I've ever seen. All the same while ensuring that it is entertaining. Very good developed characters).
Lost - great character development and plot.
Battlestar Glactica - best scifi since Star Trek Next Generation imo. The plot and characters carries this one. Acting sux.
Scrubs - best network comedy. Good actors, nice plots, engaging characters.
Arrested Development - this show has a good plot and good actors. However, the character development is (parodical) bad which brings to its enjoyment. I think one of the most rewarding shows to watch from the begining due to its use of "inside jokes" throughout.
I also watch Apprentice (Trump) - my only reality show, but it is wanning on me.
The trend I observe in all shows I like is that I have watched every episode from the begining. If you had not watched the series in such away (perhaps aside from Scrubs and Apprentice) it simply would take a great deal away from its enjoyment.
Aside from those shows I don't watch any TV (I don't have a TV for that matter.. I get all my TV shows from the internet) |
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