New Poll: Let’s Build a Procedural
We all know the classic formulas - can we expand to include something new, or refine the reliable models?
Hello again!
When I was apprenticed at the IP factory and we were assembling material for a TV pitch, I was often told that the only procedural shows that make it - especially in the broadcast space - are in one of three categories: cop, lawyer, and doctor.
And of course like any other young suit in Hollywood, I thought there must be a way around that. However, it was soon 2019 - and only the beginning of the absolute gauntlet that Hollywood was about to go through. It became next to impossible to get new and experimental ideas through the development process, and even now as we’re beginning to pull ourselves our from under that it seems like networks and streamers still want to stick to the classic formula. But maybe building a solid, reliable foundation is a good thing - THE PITT has obviously become a monster success for HBO. HIGH POTENTIAL is doing well for ABC. And MATLOCK is back and well reviewed, so presumably people are watching it!
There have also been some notable additions to this genre (?) in the past few years. I would argue ABBOTT ELEMENTARY is an example - obviously it’s in the family of THE OFFICE and PARKS AND REC, but I think its student crisis-of-the-week story lines offer a window into what else is possible for procedural shows. Maybe someday soon we’ll finally be able to do that post office procedural people were talking about in 2021.
Let us know your thoughts below!
Best,
TIP
Thanks for your input - see you next time!