TV articles

Working on a book review for the Spec Monkeys, so this'll hold ya. Denis McGrath over at Dead Things on Sticks has some excellent links up:

-- a link to a breakdown on the latest pilot script structure trends. Do not chase trends, by the way, as they tend to be products of individual networks' editing and broadcast quirks, but good to know.

-- Two subjects in one post: Brits are thinking about going to longer seasons. I appreciate the motivation behind this, but I think it's a mistake. 6-13 makes great TV. Period.

Also, a bit on David Shore's process on House. While some people may think this freelancer-intensive process is new, it's actually how television drama was done all during the 70's and early 80's. Useful because this is precisely how I suggested we write the show we've got in consideration over at TNT. Now I have someone else I can point to, save me some discussion time.

-- A pretty decent discussion of USA's Burn Notice. This show has been my bete noir this season, whipsawing me between my love of Donovan as an actor, some very gooey USA-tinged writing, clever spy tradecraft, and episodic directing alternating between "1980's cable TV police drama" and "seriously damn fine." It is generally cursed with a soundbed that's both treacly and omnipresent. And the act structure feels weird. But damn if I'm not there every week.

Oh, and Bruce Campbell. So, c'mon.