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What is the difference between a “spec script” and a “spec pilot”?
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Pilot Pick-Up Review (The CW) – 2011-2012 Season

Development season is right now, and with the scripts picked to pilot about to be shot, the next best thing besides watching the finished product is reading them. As well as reviewing them. I’ll also venture a guess as to whether I think they’ll go to series or not (all of which is announced as usual at the Upfronts). So here goes.

On we go with The CW, also known as the tween network.
No comedies in development this season, although drama-wise, they still know their perfect demographic to the T. The goal is to pick a known genre/format/story that works elsewhere and then put the magic “teen” touch to it.

Dramas (One-hour)
Awakening (Glenn Davis/William Laurin)
Logline: A dramatic series centering on two sisters on the verge of adulthood who find themselves on opposite sides of a zombie uprising. These zombies can hide their grotesque undead countenances behind beautiful, sexy exteriors.
With: Jewelle Blackman, Lucy Griffiths, Meredith Hagner, Brian Hallisay, McKean Rand, Titus Welliver
My thoughts:
I knew it was going to be about zombies before having read the first page, but the way they are portrayed in the show definitely took me aback. As in: “Really? They’re going that way?”
If you haven’t guessed it by now, Awakening pretty much humanizes zombies to the max. And although this might seem plausible for vampires and werewolves on True Blood (who are, in some way, still human), it doesn’t quite work the same when we’re talking about corpses who shouldn’t really be talking, let alone having family discussion around the dinner table.
Beyond that initial “wait, what?” factor, the story itself kind of gets confusing with the vague attempt at creating a mythology (words like pre-dead vs. alive get thrown around a lot without making a clear distinction as to who is what). Though the most mind-boggling thing about the show is the fact that the zombies can morph in and out of human morph by will. Wait, what?
Bonus negative points for a midnight zombie dance cued up to the music of, you guessed it, Thriller.
But the big question for me going in was: what about Titus Welliver? Well fortunately, his character (The Hunter) is probably the only saving grace of this show. (Doesn’t mean I like him being on The CW)
Going to series? Yes. Zombies are the new vampires, right?

Cooper & Stone (Laurie Arent)
Logline: A dramatic series centering on a smart young female team of police detectives and best friends in a North Side Chicago precinct, who are as good at discussing fashion, music, pop culture and guys as they are solving homicides.
With: Alexandra Breckenridge, Vanessa Ferlito, David Ramsey, Riley Smith, Jenna Stern
My thoughts:
Talk about a reach in a premise. Fortunately, Cooper & Stone totally embraces the ridiculousness of its story. Sadly, it’s not really entertaining.
Going to series? Maybe. The cop/procedural element might be a weird fit for The CW though.

Hart of Dixie (Leila Gerstein)
Logline: A dramatic series centering on a bright but quirky surgical resident with has a terrible bedside manner who winds up inheriting a general medical practice in a small Alabama town, after losing her best friend, her boyfriend, and her fellowship in one fell swoop. Now she must set aside her ambition to be a cardiothoracic surgeon to tend to the town’s eclectic and eccentric group of characters.
With: Wilson Bethel, Rachel Bilson, Jaime King, McKaley Miller, Scott Porter, Cress William, Nancy Travis
My thoughts:
I went in expecting to hate it, I went out…kind of enjoying it?
This is definitely a more “mature” show than the rest of this slate. Think more of a WB show (Everwood, Dawson’s Creek, etc.). It’s obviously still a rom-com, which still fits with the CW motto, but it’s angling towards an older demo.
Going to series? Probably. The only reason the CW might be on the fence about it is that Privileged didn’t work for the network back in 2008/2009.

Heavenly (Richard Hathem)
Logline: A dramatic series centering on a committed young female attorney who teams with a man who has recently transformed from angel to human on a legal aid clinic, she saving clients’ skins while he saves their souls. As an angel, he never experienced feelings or emotions, and he’s dealing with this “awakening” – but was he really an angel at all, or just psychologically damaged?
With: Ben Aldridge, Lauren Cohan, Ryan Eggold, Elizabeth Ho
My thoughts:
This is exactly what it sounds like. Touched by an Angel 2011. The corny dialogue does not help.
Will probably be universally panned once it goes out.
Going to series? Maybe. As a late April Fools prank.

The Secret Circle (Andrew Miller/Kevin Williamson)
Logline: A dramatic series based on the book trilogy by L.J. Smith, about a teenager, Cassie, who is forced to move from sunny California to gloomy New England following her mother’s violent death. Despite her homesickness, she feels a strange kinship to a terrifying group of teens who seem to rule her school. Initiated into the coven of witches that’s controlled New Salem for hundreds of years, she’s drawn into the Secret Circle, a thrill that’s both intoxicating and deadly. But when she falls for a mysterious and intriguing guy, she must choose whether to resist temptation or risk dark forces to get what she wants.
With: Ashley Crow, Thomas Dekker, Gale Harold, Shelley Hennig, Natasha Henstridge, Louis Hunter, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Brittany Robertson, Phoebe Tonkin
My thoughts:
If you’re thinking this show is really going to be a fantasy show, think again (it’s The CW after all). Secret Circle ends up being more of a high-school drama than anything else. It’s also less “powerful” than, say, Awakening, especially when you’re thinking of pairing it up with the Vampire Diaries.
Going to series? Yes. Kevin Williamson. Enough said.

Soon to come, FOX.

Pilot Pick-Up Review (CBS) – 2011-2012 Season

Development season is right now, and with the scripts picked to pilot about to be shot, the next best thing besides watching the finished product is reading them. As well as reviewing them. I’ll also venture a guess as to whether I think they’ll go to series or not (all of which is announced as usual at the Upfronts). So here goes.

It’s CBS’ turn, world of the procedural and classic comedies.
This season, they are keen to find a medical drama that will work for them, while slowly moving towards more character-driven shows. On the comedy front, multi-cameras are still more present than ever, especially the ones centering around a male lead.

Dramas (One-hour)
The Doctor (Rina Mimoun)
Logline: A dramatic series centering on a woman who abandoned her career as a doctor to be a stay at home mom. Thirty years on, she has no regrets. But when she’s widowed, she’s inspired to return to medicine to carry on her deceased husband’s practice. The catch is that she not only needs to complete her medical residency, but her adult kids (one of whom is a surgeon and the other of whom is a recovering addict) are ambivalent about her choice.
With: Eva Amurri, Michael Boatman, Scott Foley, Christine Lahti, Kyle MacLachlan
My thoughts:
I feel lukewarm about the script. A few elements seem downright weird. The deceased husband’s partner in the company gives away one of his patients’ charts to Lahti’s character just like that. Doctor/patient confidentiality anyone?
It’s interesting that CBS is going with a lead in her 60s (plus it’s Christine Lahti’s big return to television), but it makes the show even more realistic so good for them.
Going to series? Tough choice. The concept isn’t strong to pull in viewers, but Lahti’s big return to television might be enough for CBS to strongly consider the project.

Untitled Susannah Grant
Logline: A dramatic series centering on a doctor whose life changes when his colleague dies and gives him life lessons from beyond the grave.
With: Julie Benz, Jennifer Ehle, S. Epatha Merkerson, Afton Williamson, Patrick Wilson
My thoughts:
First, don’t be fooled by the terrible logline. I was expecting some boring Ghost Whisperer copy-cat, but this is not it (thankfully). Patrick Wilson is a great casting coup, although his character is downright unlikeable so he’ll need to work his charm.
My main gripe is with the longevity of the concept. He pretty much comes to term with Anna’s ghost by the end of the pilot, so what else is there to explore? It’s an interesting story as a closed oned, but as a show? Difficult to tell.
Going to series? Yes. Despite a somewhat lukewarm logline, the pilot is pretty good and Wilson as the lead seals the deal.

Hail Mary (Jeff Wadlow)
Logline: A dramatic series centering on a pair of detectives in Atlanta, comprised of a single mom from the suburbs who teams up with her murdered son’s best friend who is a small time con artist from the projects who solve the crimes that the cops don’t have time for.
With: Noureen DeWulf, Minnie Driver, Brandon T. Jackson, Enrique Murciano, Stephen Tobolowsky
My thoughts:
I’m assuming this is one show going for the Medium crowd.
It’s kind of weird premise (i.e. mom teams up with black kid to become P.I.), somewhat reminiscent of The Blind Side. The P.I. aspect especially takes a long time to get set up.
Plus, the murder mystery of Driver’s son is pretty much solved in the pilot. It probably should have been a longer arc.
Going to series? Not sure. Driver and Jackson are definitely strong casting bets, but the premise isn’t that noteworthy.

The Rememberer (Ed Redlich/John Bellucci)
Logline: A dramatic series loosely based on the short story The Rememberer by J. Robert Lennon, centering on a female detective for the New York Police Department who never forgets anything thanks to a special ability.
With: Michael Gaston, Poppy Montgomery, Kevin Rankin, Daya Vaidya, Dylan Walsh
My thoughts:
Besides getting the Emmy for worst title ever, this is in many regards a female version of The Mentalist, only less douchey. The introduction to the main character’s abilities is pretty interesting, and you’re not buried in exposition unlike other procedurals, but the case’s conclusion is unsatisfying.
Going to series? It’s CBS’ bread and butter: a cop procedural with a character twist and serialized elements.

Rookies (Richard Price)
Logline: A dramatic series centering on a group of rookie cops working in high crime areas of Manhattan. Their backgrounds are diverse – one is from a family of criminals, another from a family of cops. The others are a former reporter, an immigrant from Afganistan, a retired NBA player and a former Olympian/Marine with whose beauty belies her toughness.
With: Adam Goldberg, Terry Kinney, Judy Marte, Tom Reed, Stark Sands, Leelee Sobieski
My thoughts:
Pretty much the American version of Rookie Blue (and we know how that one fared).
The character archetypes are all over the place, which might be interesting but it’s as if they were all needed–which is not the case.
It’s not a bad show though. Closer to Southland than CBS’ usual cop show, which means…
Going to series? Possibly…as a mid-season show that will get buried in terrible programming and swiftly canceled.

Multi-camera Comedies (Half-hour)
Herd Mentality (Bill Martin/Mike Schiff)
Logline: A multi-camera comedy series based on the life of sports journalist/commentator Colin Cowherd.
With: Danny Comden, Eliza Dushku, Damon Wayans
My thoughts:
Talk about a reach in pilot pick-up. CBS must be really in love with the NFL because, apart from retransmitting the league, this is a sports-driven show that would fit pretty much anywhere else but The Eye. FOX anyone?
I’ll give you the fact that it heavily centers on a couple and the sports talk somewhat takes a back-seat, but it still heavily feels in opposition to what CBS is trying to go for.
Going to series? Hard to imagine. For the reasons I just listed.

Home Grown (Jackie Filgo/Jeff Filgo)
Logline: A multi-camera comedy series centering on a large extended working-class family in the Midwest.
With: Shane McRae, Becki Newton
My thoughts:
Kind of the poor man’s Raising Hope (no pun intended) in multi-cam version. Not really funny and plain overall.
Going to series? Let’s hope not.

Home Game (Warren Bell/Chris Nowak)
Logline: A multi-camera comedy series which is loosely autobiographical for former NFL player Mark Schlereth, centering on an NFL football player who retires from the game and now is spending a lot of time with his all-female family. His testosterone-soaked years in the locker room have made his teen daughters seem like an alien species. But his ignorance of women doesn’t lessen his belief that father knows best, which drives his wife a little crazy.
With: Jenn Proske, Rob Riggle, Constance Zimmer
My thoughts:
Yup, another NFL show, although this one is definitely more family-oriented than the former.
Actually, it pretty much ends up being a classic multi-cam sitcom. Gold territory for CBS one might say.
I’m personally turned off by the show but I’m not middle-America so what do I know.
Going to series? Maybe. It’s obvious they’re trying to get some kind of NFL-related show on the air, and this one is closer to what CBS stands for than Herd Mentality. Whether that’s enough remains to be seen.

Untitled Peter Knight
Logline: A multi-camera comedy series centering on young people in their first jobs in a venture capital firm dealing with their personal and professional lives.
With: Tim Peper, Michelle Trachtenberg, Larry Wilmore
My thoughts:
Nothing groundbreaking there. It’s far from bad but it’s pretty much a typical workplace comedy, only this time with 20 year-olds at the center of it.
Going to series? Doubtful. Feels almost more like an NBC-type comedy than CBS.

Untitled Rob Schneider
Logline: A multi-camera comedy series about a guy who marries a Mexican-American woman with a huge family and has to adjust to never being alone.
With: Lupe Ontiveros, Tony Plana, Rob Schneider, Nadine Velazquez
My thoughts:
I’ll just say it: it’s bad.
Right now, I just feel sorry for Nadine Velazquez for having gone from My Name is Earl to…this.
Whatever you think this show is, it’s worse.
Going to series? *crickets*

Vince Uncensored
Logline: A multi-camera comedy series centering on a man who decides to approach his working and domestic lives more honestly after a life-altering experience.
With: Michael Chiklis, Elizabeth Perkins
My thoughts:
Surprisingly decent. I say surprisingly because we’re talking about a multi-camera (and I’m not a huge fan of those). Plus the premise wasn’t that interesting to begin with. But it works.
I’m still hoping they somehow come to their senses and make it a single-cam.
Going to series? Probably. Chicklis is somewhat of a casting coup considering this is a multi-cam and it certainly doesn’t hurt that Conan O’Brien’s prodco is behind the project (plus veteran writer!).

Single-camera Comedies (Half-hour)
The Assistants (Tucker Cawley)
Logline: A single-camera comedy series centering on a group of four assistants who work for two high-maintenance celebrities.
With: David Henrie, Heather Locklear, T.J. Miller, Lamorne Morris, Emily Rutherfurd
My thoughts:
You might not know this but The N had an extremely similar show back in 2009. Right down to the title.
Now the question is whether this version is good or not.
Well, for one, the script was way too dense. Think one-hour 60-page long.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the bosses are really unlikeable. And I don’t mean Ari Gold-unlikeable where you love to hate them. No, no. I’m talking so unlikeable you might want to switch channels altogether.
There’s also the question of who they’re targeting with this project. It seems a little too…young for CBS.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy that T.J. Miller is getting some much needed screen time,
Going to series? Possibly. This is one of the only clear-cut comedy concepts they have, but it’s hard to see what existing show can serve as lead-in.

How To Be a Gentleman (David Hornsby)
Logline: A single-camera comedy series loosely based on the book How To Be A Gentleman: A Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy by John Bridges. The book answers questions of etiquette, such as “should you take a business call on your cellular phone during a dinner date?” The series centers on an uptight guy with an old-fashioned sensibility which makes him a bit of an outsider in today’s society. He’s forced to update his attitudes when the magazine that he writes his etiquette column for gets a new owner, which wants a fresher approach. He gets help from his male friend from high school who owns a gym.
With: Rhys Darby, Kevin Dillon, Dave Foley, David Hornsby, Nancy Lenehan
My thoughts:
Decently funny and definitely going for that young, male-skewing vibe How I Met Your Mother is already angling towards.
Going to series? Yes. Known property, strong casting, and perfect companion to already-existing shows.

Next up in the broadcast world is The CW.

Drama Spec Script 2011 – What is hot and what is not

Drama Spec Script 2011 – What is hot and what is not


UPDATED:
A brand new 2019 list has been posted.
Click here to access it.

It is now time to review which current dramas are good to spec, and which are not.
A sample script is provided (when available) with the corresponding show.

Let’s do another quick recap of how the list works:
The shows are divided into five categories regarding their appeal to readers and how well they are known/read:
– Over-specced (shows that have passed their prime, try to avoid doing them)
– Mainstream (shows that have matured enough that they have become on-the-nose speccers–and a lot of people are speccing them)
– Wild Cards (soon, everyone will spec those, maybe you can get a head start)
– Outsiders (specs that will get you out from the pack)
– Gamblers (risky shows that could pay off, or bomb)

There is also a grade regarding the show’s longevity in relation to its speccability.
Meaning, how long can you keep your spec script fresh without having to throw it in the trash?
To do this, we will use the greatest grading system on Earth; stars:
★★★★★ – Excellent
★★★★★ – Very Good
★★★★★ – Average
★★★★★ – Fair
★★★★★ – Poor

And here we go.

Over-Specced
Re-tool your spec if you have one, but you probably shouldn’t bother beginning a new one for these shows.

CSI/Criminal Minds/Law & Order/The Closer (CBS/NBC/TNT)
Type: Police procedurals
Move along folks, nothing to see here.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – If you’re really thinking of speccing these, you’re pretty much five years too late.

Dexter (Sho)
Type: Serialized crime drama
Once upon a time, Dexter was a clear favorite. Now however, the show has past its expiration date for specs.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Since every season reinvents the show (in an interesting or bad way), it’s never good to put one’s spec stories to the test like that.

Grey’s Anatomy/Private Practice/House (ABC/FOX)
Type: Medical procedurals
Honestly, there’s just no real point in crafting a brand new spec for one of these three.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Shockingly, they’re all getting another season. Doesn’t mean it’s a good sign.

Mad Men (AMC)
Type: Serialized historical drama
Putting Mad Men as over-specced may once again ruffle a few feathers, but if you know what’s good for you then you’re pretty much aware already that this won’t be an original choice.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Although there’s a very low risk of AMC ending its flagship drama, treading on serialized plotlines is virtually impossible to avoid.

Mainstream
The current and new widespread shows in town that are getting read.

Bones/Castle (FOX/ABC)
Type: Light police procedural
Bones still has a year or two ahead of it, while Castle joins the mainstream list by becoming the go-to light police procedural specced.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Both are going strong and the ‘case of the week’ format is a proven crowd-pleaser.

Breaking Bad (AMC)
Type: Serialized character/family drama
The show continues to grow in fame and is probably reaching its peak, which means this might one of the last mainstream years for it.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – The problem isn’t that the show won’t get renewed (it will), it is its serialized aspect. I’ll slow-clap anyone who successfully specs a stand-alone episode of Breaking Bad.

Chuck (NBC)
Type: Light spy/action procedural
Everybody loves Chuck. Sadly this means that it is pretty much on the verge of being over-specced.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Definitely not as much on the bubble as a couple of seasons ago.

Fringe (FOX)
Type: Police/Science-fiction procedural
The number one science-fiction show specced presently (mainly because there aren’t so many out there). Fringe is a strong option, although…
Longevity: ★★★★★ – …you already know how “on the bubble” this show is, so I’d probably wait to see what FOX choses to do with it.

Glee (FOX)
Type: Light serialized high-school dramedy
As predicted, last year’s major Wild Card is now on top of the Mainstream pile. Still a very hard show to spec mainly because of its atypical world. Also might not be the greatest way to showcase your talent given that a third of the script will probably end up being music lyrics.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – It’s always a good bet to spec the number one show on television, right? Be careful when juggling with all the soap elements (they might give you a headache).

The Good Wife (CBS)
Type: Legal procedural
Jumping from Outsider to Mainstream is no easy task, but The Good Wife has proven times and times again these past few months its popularity. This is clearly a smart show to spec (watch out for the serialized elements).
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Strong ratings and a great procedural/serial balance allows room for a potential spec.

Gossip Girl/90210 (The CW)
Type: Teen dramas
It’s not as if there’s an overwhelming array of teen dramas out there, right?
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Never-ending.

The Mentalist (CBS)
Type: Police procedural
A new classic police procedural to spec. It’s hot all right.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – No need to double check, this one is safe.

NCIS:LA (CBS)
Type: Police/Action procedural
Last year it was about to break big, this year it is big. Its older sister show would be proud.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Another secure CBS procedural.

True Blood (HBO)
Type: Serialized fantasy drama
Somewhat common in the spec pile, despite its heavy reliance on the books’ mythology. Making a loner out of this one will prove difficult.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – True Blood is a big success, but its stories are all over the place (i.e. it is hard to find a status quo to base a spec on).

Wild Cards
Not quite fully widespread but will get there given the chance.

Boardwalk Empire/Treme (HBO)
Type: Serialized historical drama
Now those are hard shows to spec. If you think you can make a Mad Men or even a True Blood spec work, I’d recommend taking a gander at these two first. Especially Boardwalk Empire (which definitely has a lot of potential).
Longevity: ★★★★★ – With all the acclaim, it’s no wonder HBO is keeping both series tightly where they are.

Hawaii Five-0 (CBS)
Type: Police/Action procedural
Like NCIS:LA last year, this is undoubtedly the breakout procedural hit of the season, which is sure to become Mainstream real fast.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Hit show, clear-cut formula and procedural aspect leads to a long spec life.

Justified (FX)
Type: Police procedural
A critical darling and great numbers means Justified is getting hotter by the second. It will probably enter Mainstream land by next season.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – The show that keeps on giving (certainly for FX).

Leverage (TNT)
Type: Light heist/con/action procedural
With its fourth season about to debut, Leverage is becoming more popular and the series has matured enough that it’s an almost-perfect light action/heist procedural to spec.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Finding a solid con that stays unused by the show might prove tricky.

Nikita (The CW)
Type: Action procedural
It’s CW, meaning it’s not that watched, although it also means not that many people are speccing it.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – It is doubtful the network will let this one go seeing as it’s one of their only (relative) hit.

Parenthood (NBC)
Type: Serialized family drama
Speccing this one last season was pretty much a gamble, but since the first year has passed and storylines are settling, it might be an interesting choice.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Solid numbers indicate renewal, but can you make the family stories work?

Sons of Anarchy (FX)
Type: Serialized ensemble drama
Sure, Sons of Anarchy is FX’s most popular show, yet its extremely serialized aspect makes it very difficult to write for. If you can make it work, go for it.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Storylines are shaking up every season so it might be tough to keep an SOA spec current.

The Walking Dead (AMC)
Type: Ensemble/horror drama
If a surprise hit was made last year, this is the one. The enormous success of the show and its amazing potential makes it destined for great spec material.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Great news for potential speccers (not for viewers): The Walking Dead has obviously abandoned the comics’ serialized nature for a more procedural-like aspect.



Outsiders
The shows (mostly cable) you may be tempted to take a risk on, getting you on top of the reading pile. Beyond that, it depends on the willingness of the reader and his/her knowledge of the show. Who knows, maybe the showrunner is into less popular shows and will value your risk-taking.

Burn Notice/Psych (USA)
Type: Light action and crime procedurals
On the limit of being over-specced if only for the fact that they never were mainstream.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – They are both nearing their death bed (even if it’s still a couple of seasons away).

Eureka/Warehouse 13 (Syfy)
Type: Science-fiction procedurals
With Fringe winding down and Stargate: Universe gone, those two are almost the only science-fiction options out there. They are still strong spec shows all around.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Original stories might be harder to find, especially with Eureka, entering its fifth season already.

Southland (TNT)
Type: Police procedural
Southland is definitely getting more traction with its third season and it’s one of the only cop dramas right now with a real grittiness to it.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Renewal beyond the current season is still pretty much on the line given the substantial budget cuts needed.

White Collar (USA)
Type: Light crime procedural
White Collar continues to be the dark horse among light procedurals. Undeniably, the show is still continuing to grow in demand.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Pretty much a success for USA’s standards and a perfect candidate for a more atypical spec show.

Gamblers
For one reason or another, these are much riskier specs to do right now. You have been warned.

Blue Bloods (CBS)
Type: Police/family drama
It was a surprise Friday-night hit for CBS, which might make Blue Bloods an interesting spec choice, yet this might still be too unknown.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – It worked for Fridays but not for Wednesdays, so it’s still a toss-up regarding its renewal.

The Chicago Code/Harry’s Law (FOX/NBC)
Type: Police procedural/Legal procedural
Come on, you want to spec this one already? Too soon.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Chances are Chicago Code is getting the boot sadly. Harry’s Law meanwhile will probably live to see another season.

Forty shows are listed this year and, like last season, a few trends can be observed.

The basic cable market has never been stronger with a big presence by AMC, FX, Syfy, USA and TNT.
On the premium side, beyond the symbolic Dexter presence, Showtime is still pretty much absent from the list due to the lack of dramas. HBO meanwhile is slowly rebuilding its “epic TV” brand (I’m sure Games of Throne will pop up on the list next year).
Network-wise, CBS is still the procedural king, although FOX and ABC are recouping the field with lighter dramas, while NBC is virtually MIA.

Unsurprisingly, a vast majority of the top shows are procedurals with light character serialization. They are the ones which offer a wide range of storylines without compromising the status quo.
Interestingly enough though, the harder shows to spec (relying on more complex mythologies and serialized plots) are still considered attractive. They are indeed a great platform to showcase more in-depth writing skills, but they come at the price of spec longevity.

The bottom line is the same as usual: select a show that reflects your voice, your aspirations, and what you like.
The choice is yours.

Click here for the Comedy Spec Script list.