And as far as the Fellowships go, according to their websites its all about writing a great script, not whether the show you chose is “appropriate”. I know people have gotten into Disney with Dexter scripts, and somebody recently got into Warner Bros. with a Sarah Silverman spec.

But if you opt for Party Down and need a sample script, just holler ;)

Question: I consider myself a writer who could write for both comedy and drama, but, ultimately… my ideal would be to write for an hour episodic that infuses (dark) comedy and/or finds its characters in potentially humorous scenarios — every now and again (e.g., Breaking Bad & Dexter — both of which I’m not speccing this year).

Anyway, I wondered your thoughts on speccing something like Nurse Jackie, as a means for getting on an hour show… as opposed to Glee, for example — which, to me, is a full on musical comedy (albeit, heartfelt at times) — even though it’s an hour episodic?

I know from personal experience that speccing something too dark for these Fellowships (like Dexter or BB) could be a major hindrance. They USE your winning spec to get staffed on THEIR shows… and Dexter ain’t Disneyfied. Perhaps Nurse Jackie isn’t either?

Also, pondering Party Down… but feel that would place me in the comedy world for sure — no ifs ands or buts.

If you’re looking into a traditional multicam, what’s wrong with The Big Bang Theory?
I personally don’t find TBBT “cooler” to spec than 2AHM, it’s just more recent (not too old, not too new, with just the right amount of episodes), and even has the same popularity.
On the other hand, I understand Modern Family/Community being thought of as “cooler” to spec.
However, as I pointed out in the breakdown, it’s on there for a reason: people are already speccing it.
Whether you like it or not, the spec cycle is moving at a much faster rate nowadays. First-season successes are renewed early, and are even more appealing.

Regarding How I Met Your Mother, it is, at best, living its last year as a “Mainstream”. This is because of a few reasons.
First off, like for 2AHM, are you really positive your original idea hasn’t been done?
Secondly, there are some longevity issues with the show. I certainly wouldn’t call it a “huge hit.“
You might mention the Season 6 renewal, but unlike TBBT and 2AHM, it didn’t get a multiyear pickup. It’s basically still on “wait & see” mode. Plus, Bays and Thomas are already moving on.
Now, sure, it’ll probably get to its final Season 7, but by that time the show will have reached 2AHM’s current lifespan (see where I’m going with this?).

This doesn’t mean you should throw your already-existing HIMYM spec away; just that, if you were wondering about writing right now a brand-new HIMYM, you might want to reconsider.
Point is the same as Two and a Half Men: there are (perhaps better) fresher alternatives.
The latter are that way, not because they’re “cooler,” but simply because they have the ratings and content to back it up.
A spec must not only work for you right now, but must also have the potential to work for you later down the line.
What’s the point of spending months and months writing and polishing the perfect spec script, if it’s just going to end up being irrelevant?

@Jen
Send in whichever you think has the best chance of you getting the fellowship.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to your talent and how you were able to nail your script (not just because you chose a hot show).
If your Office spec is the funniest, best written spec in the pile, who cares if the show itself is a bit stale.
Good luck!