Some shows on TV are awesome. Big Bang’s popularity went through the roof with watchers and Modern Family was unknown one day and famous the next. It got me thinking, why are they such a hit? Well, there’s the acting, which is really great but, in my humble opinion, I think it’s the writing.
Check out this post on this exact subject for Modern Family.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442437/reviews
“…Witty, dry, smart, outlandish, silly, clever, cute, sarcastic, subtle, not-so subtle. HILARIOUS.” That has to be the writing.
And look at this other review, this time for the Big Bang:
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2007/09/28/the-big-bang-theory-pilot-review
“The writing in this episode was some of the best we’ve seen in a standard sitcom in some time — it’s very smart….If the writing remains at the level seen in the pilot, we’re certain the show will continue to be worth watching.”
I find this fascinating. If good writing can help elevate a show, it can certainly do the same for a book. And good humour is very hard to write well.
I like to add humour into my books. I like to think it adds a little something to help the reader keep interested. Sitcoms like the Big Bang and Modern Family are great teaching tools because of their amazing writing.
So really, I’m not watching TV. I’m researching. 😀
Taylor Grace 
These are West’s favorite shows currently. I don’t watch them unless I happen to be in the same room working online. While I don’t mind comedy in my reading, I can’t do sitcoms.
Why not? Is it the canned laughter?
I don’t find them funny. They’re annoying. Though I must say, Modern Family gets one chuckle from me from time to time. It’s not worth the time to watch for the off chance I’ll laugh. I watch stand up 😉
Ahhhh….Makes sense. You’re funny! I can so see you getting annoyed at them! Hee
I’ve never watched The Big Bang Theory, but after this post I just might 🙂 Though we can’t always get the up to date shows over here.
I hear you. We have to wait and wait for Outlander…still, we’re getting the show. Just weeks late.
I haven’t heard of Outlander, and now I understand why the title of my next novel confused everybody! I’m definitely going to change it 🙂
I googled it and saw a picture of Jim Caviezel and got completely distracted! He is yummy (though after seeing him play Jesus I always feel weird saying that!)
Jesus? yikes! No kidding!
lol – yeah, in the Passion of the Christ 😉
Oh dear!
I am a big (haha!) fan of the Big Bang Theory. I think good writing can make up for a lot of things, even a lack luster plot. Some episodes are a bit thin on plot, but the great writing keeps me watching! 😀
Absolutely. I marvel at some of the dialogue. It’s genius.
I love Big Bang! A show about characters I can actually relate to. It’s like watching my high school guy friends on TV, but all grown up.
So true! They’re funny and realistic at once!
Modern Family is currently our favorite! It is as smart as Arrested Development was before it “came back”. The Big Bang Theory… I saw bits and pieces when it was still new and wondered “how does a show like this make it on TV?” Maybe I need to give a second chance? I was also the only one who thought How I Met Your Mother was incredibly lame… No one else but me. I guess that makes me lame.
No! Different points of view are wonderful! No lameness at all. I’m glad you like Modern Family. I laugh with them all the time. I think it’s written really well.
Just make sure that your main female character has a last name.
(Leonard Hofstadter, Sheldon Cooper, Howard Wolowitz, Rajesh Koothrappali, Amy Farrah-Fowler, Bernadette Rostenkowski, and… Penny. Penny has no last name, and never has.)
You’re right…how strange!
The really interesting bit is the way the writers have occasionally had to tie themselves in knots to keep from USING her last name– there have been scenes where Leonard has been introducing people and has conspicuously used everyone’s last name but hers.
That’s so odd. Why do they do that? Why can’t Penny have a last name? So bizarre!
My youngest son introduced me to The Big Bang Theory and now everyone loves it in our house. I think the success is due to a combination of really good writing, direction and acting. But the writing has to come first because without that the director and the actors haven’t got anything good to work with.
Exactly!
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