Sitcom Writer

How much room do actors have to improvise lines or give input on their character's plotline?

Asked by jojo over 12 years ago

It depends on the show and the clout/fame of the actor. Speaking for the shows I've worked on - we want the actors to do the lines as written. If you want to pitch a joke/change a word you can do it for a take - if it's funny we'll use it. But do the lines as written at least once. 99% of actors are not as good at improv as Steve Carrell but a big percent of actors think they are. As for plotlines - if the star of the show is a big name they usually will come in and talk to the writers about where they see their characters going. Everyone else usually finds out what's happening when the scripts come out.

Given the explosion of so many great hour-long dramas (e.g. Breaking Bad, Homeland, Justified), is there any concern that shows like these will start eating into sitcom audiences?

Asked by walterwhite over 12 years ago

No. You know what's funny? When I started working in sitcoms (about 10 years ago) I was told I just missed the sitcom Boom. The era of Friends and Seinfeld etc. where sitcoms were king, sitcom writers got huge deals and you had your pick of jobs. It's not like that anymore. It hasn't been for a long, long time. But recently I've seen sitcoms getting a little more heat. Modern Family - CBS's whole line up - The New Girl. Sitcoms are getting ratings again. So I would say it's kind of the reverse of the question. I have faith sitcoms are making a resurgence.

Can any sitcom in the color television era outshine NBC's current offering Whitney for the "dollars-spent-advertising to actual-quality-of-show ratio" blue ribbon?

Asked by Kyle over 12 years ago

Have faith! Of course there can be!

Who was the toughest actor you ever had to write for, and what made it so difficult?

Asked by ALF over 12 years ago

I don't want to name names. But one that comes to mind was a fine actor, great with the dramatics. But was not as funny as the rest of the cast. Unfortunately they saw themselves as the the comedic lead and since they were the big name attached what they saw mattered. I can't tell you how many times scenes would come back with the note "funny up ACTOR NAME".

I have a great idea for a sitcom but don't want to share it because someone else might take the idea and use it for them selves. What should I do to introduce it to someone that will not take it from me or try using it themselves. Who can I trust?

Asked by wilcox over 11 years ago

What do you believe landed you the job aside from your sense of humor.did you go to an ivy league collegeour is there a large degree of luck involved?

Asked by Ashi almost 11 years ago

I want to pitch a idea for a sitcom. I have some scrips written for my show as well for other famous sitcoms. How do I get in contact with an agent or a producer?

Asked by Luis about 11 years ago