Eight Rules for Creating a Primetime Hit

Figuring out the equation for a hit television show is so simple a high school math dropout could do it. And for a while it seemed like the network execs were catching on. They simply needed to take viewer preferences as seen in recent history and add them to an innovative show concept to achieve success and acclaim. But when the critical moment comes in which execs must continue acting on viewer preferences or abandon them altogether, most jump ship. And shark. And before they can say “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World,” they watch in horror as a once wildly popular show nosedives in the ratings.

Because the network execs are having a hard time getting it right, maybe it’s time someone work out the equation for them long hand on the blackboard. We have Robert McKee to guide us through the principles of good storytelling, so perhaps we need a primer for creating a hit show in today’s society.

What are the patterns of recent history telling us? Which show elements seem to resonate with young and old, sci-fi geek, and TMZ addict alike? What consistently intrigues viewers and drives ratings across the widest sector of the viewing audience?

Perhaps if producers stopped churning out shows like 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter and started following these Eight Simple Rules for Creating a Primetime Hit, they’d actually have a better shot at success.

Rule #1: Put together an ensemble cast of 10+ people who are extremely diverse in both age and ethnicity.

Everyone should be interesting to look at but no one should be overly attractive. The men should outnumber the women.

In our disconnected society, viewers gravitate toward ensemble casts because there is an instant sense of community. Characters should be from all walks of life and parts of the world. Every race, religion and creed should be represented.

Viewers like stories about people they can imagine in their own world. Thus, each character should be interesting to look at, but not so striking that the average person would be distracted. If sex appeal is necessary, it should be heavily weighted toward the male gender (think McDreamy and McSteamy on Grey’s Anatomy). Shows where the men outnumber the women are more likely to become hits.

Rule #2: The overarching plot must involve all cast members learning to overcome their differences so they can collaborate to achieve a common goal or fight a greater evil.

Article Author: Jennifer Ruisch

Jennifer Joy is an author and editor. Find her at www.theloopholelostforum.com.

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