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Comedy Spec Script 2019 – What is hot and what is not

Like every year, it is now time to review the popularity of TV shows to spec.
Dedicated posts will be made respectively for the best comedies (half-hour) and the best dramas (one-hour).
As the title says, this post is all about the comedies.
In addition, you’ll also find (when available) a script for the corresponding show for educational purposes only.
Canceled or dead shows have been removed since last season’s spec list.

NOTE:
Given Warner Bros’ and NBC’s show lists for their fellowship, I have indicated with:
– An asterisk (*) any series that will not be accepted by WB.
– A dagger () any series that will not be accepted by NBC.
Any public update will be reflected on this list.

Here is a 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 to have become on-the-nose speccers — with a lot of people speccing them)
Wild Cards (soon, everyone will spec these, 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

Let’s get started.

Over-Specced

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

American Dad/Bob’s Burgers/Family Guy/South Park (FOX/Comedy Central)
Never count them out.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Because they’re still airing.

Archer (FX)
The show has rebooted itself more times than tech support.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Ten seasons and a movie?

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) *
Pass.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Final season.

Black-ish/Fresh Off the Boat (ABC)
Not as “fresh” as it once was.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Still plenty of stories to tell. The question is how long you have.

BoJack Horseman/Rick & Morty (Netflix/Adult Swim)
Adult animation + good writing = high bar.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Bring the meta.

Broad City (Comedy Central) *
Cool show, but not as cool of an acceptance rate.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Another comedy airing its last episodes.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC)
The precinct that was promised.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Saved by the bell.

The Goldbergs/Modern Family/Mom (ABC/CBS)
It’s all in the family.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – How many more stories can you cook up?

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FXX) *
Longest-running live-action sitcom in American TV history.
Longevity: ★★★★ – I mean damn.

Master of None (Netflix)
It might be surprising to see Master still included…
Longevity: ★★★★★ – …however we’re now entering an era of shows with longer breaks between seasons. Plus, still widely accepted.

Silicon Valley (HBO)
What’s your stake?
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Delayed final season until 2020, so you’ve got another year or two.

Transparent (Amazon)
Welp.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Kind of still on the air? But then again, what is the air.

Veep (HBO)
More integrity than the real world equivalent.
Longevity: ★★★★ – A few episodes remain for a final presidential term.


Mainstream

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

Atlanta (FX)
No comment needed for a now-iconic series.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Another show with large gaps between years, allowing a more evergreen spec approach.

Barry (HBO)
Big entry for Barry, which wasn’t even on the board last year and is already in its second season.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Will last as long as Bill Hader wants it to.

Big Mouth (Netflix)
Strong showing from a series considered a Gambler only a year ago.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Dig into your past traumas for maximum laughs.

Dear White People/Glow (Netflix)
Easily among the best OTT dramedy choices.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Not as evergreen as they were a year or two back.

Fleabag (Amazon)
A play which became a British show which became an American darling.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Very limited number of episodes and elongated airdates can allow a spec to last a lot longer than usual.

Fuller House/One Day at a Time (Netflix)
Family multicams on an OTT service. Not something you’d think of a decade ago.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – One is mired in scandals, the other just got cancelled. But maybe there is hope?

The Good Place (NBC)
Considered by many to be one of the best single cams on the air.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – A lower longevity if only for its continuous bubble status and heavy serialization.

Grace and Frankie (Netflix)
Aging gracefully.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Six seasons and counting.

Grown-ish (Freeform)
Strong pick for a young adult single-cam.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Already renewed for a third season.

Insecure (HBO)
One of the hottest cable single-cams out there.
Longevity: ★★★★ – And with good reason.

Life in Pieces (CBS)
The other Modern Family.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Four years ain’t nothing to sneeze at.

Santa Clarita Diet (Netflix)
I’m hungry.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Make sure to watch the third season which is coming out any second.

Schitt’s Creek (Pop)
An indie Canadian show that slowly built its fanbase.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – But yet another show ending soon.

Speechless (ABC)
insert joke about noises
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Three seasons in tow with middling ratings might prove problematic beyond a final renewal.

Superstore (NBC)
Are you on Cloud 9?
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Many products will be sold as it will soon go into its fifth season.

Will & Grace (NBC)
A few years ago, this would have been a stunt spec.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Now, it’s staying on the air.

Young Sheldon (CBS) *
A network single-cam that is shockingly not widely accepted, despite its popularity.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – With Big Bang ending, they need to keep the lights on somehow.


Wild Cards

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

A.P. Bio (NBC)
Initially farring a lot better than other newer network single-cams…
Longevity: ★★★★★ – …but it barely started its second season with low ratings. Who knows what will happen from there.

Better Things (FX)
Proved it could go on to better things despite its C.K. issues.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Three seasons of a lower-key character comedy means you need to dig deep.

Casual/Catastrophe (Hulu/Amazon) *
One is accepted, the other is not.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Hulu means question mark, while Catastrophe is living its last life.

Divorce (HBO)
A very specific experience.
Longevity: ★★★★ – You’ve got time before its third year.

The End of the F***ing World (Netflix)
Potentially a hard choice to spec narratively, but it’s freely available.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Nobody expected a second season.

High Maintenance (HBO)
Budding spec choice.
Longevity: ★★★★ – See what I did there?

The Last O.G. (TBS)
A family comedy if anything else.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Strong ratings, but its network means more unpredictability than expected.

Search Party (TBS)
Yet another “years between seasons” show…
Longevity: ★★★★★ – …allowing specs to last longer.

Splitting Up Together (ABC)
Punny title.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – A network show with dwindling viewership may mean trouble.

The Tick (Amazon)
Featured on your WonderCon badge.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Pick up one of the comic issues.


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.

American Housewife (ABC) *
You’d think a network comedy in its third season would be more read than this.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Never got to reach a higher status as it continues to age.

Angie Tribeca (TBS)
This brings me back to the days of NTSF:SD:SUV::.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Very unique release schedule.

Atypical (Netflix)
Mixed choice since it isn’t a clear-cut pick as a classic comedy.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Changed things around for its second year.

Baskets (FX)
Smile time.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Clowning itself into another season.

Black Monday (Showtime) *
Amazing cast.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Very low ratings could spell trouble.

The Detour (TBS)
Not a show you’d expect to be as widely read, and yet.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Can you believe it’s already on season four?

On My Block (Netflix)
Throwback to friendship.
Longevity: ★★★★ – You’d think Netflix would guarantee its safety, but with all its weird cancellations, you can never be sure.

Paradise PD (Netflix)
Sizzling takedowns with a great cast.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Will it surpass the shadows of BoJack and Big Mouth?

She’s Gotta Have It (Netflix)
Hot and new, which means not as widely accepted.
Longevity: ★★★★ – If it fits your voice though, you may be in luck.

Younger (Paramount Network)
We’re getting older though.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Network move, coupled with entering a sixth season.


Gamblers

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

Kidding (HBO) *
Quirky show with a very unique tone, putting off some reads.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Renewed for a second season and only ten episodes under its belt.

Man With a Plan/The Ranch (CBS/Netflix) *
Old-school multicams. Very, very old-school.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Still going, it seems.

PEN15 (Hulu) *
Let me spell it out on your arm.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Who knows with Hulu’s future.

Russian Doll (Netflix) *
Bend your mind.
Longevity: ★★★★ – You can’t really grade a longevity of this, but Netflix got the word of mouth.

Schooled (ABC) *
A spin-off that could make its way up.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Barely started.

Shrill (Hulu) *
We stan Aidy.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Another Hulu question mark.


2019 Trends

“Peak TV” for half-hours may be coming to an end — or at least a holding pattern.
This round, we’ve got a whopping 67 different comedies listed and reviewed. It is a lot, but considering that last year we had 63 ranked, this might signify a level of stagnation in the number of half-hours (after huge increases year-over-year in prior lists).
When everyone talks about the beginning of the end of Peak TV for comedies, remember you heard it here first.

Another interesting tidbit: we’ve got a dead heat in number of shows between traditional networks (22 half-hours), linear cable (21 half-hours), and OTTs (21 half-hours). That’s a lot of offerings and avenues, split fairly evenly. A staggering difference from the past, when networks and traditional cable held a distinct advantage. We’re also seeing the arrival of a bunch of niche networks, like Paramount Network and Pop.
Revivals may also be dwindling, with shows like Fuller House and One Day At a Time aging faster than expected (if not outright cancelled). Meanwhile, we have a ton of spin-offs and very unique dramedies (Paradise PD, Shrill, Black Monday).

The biggest thing to note however is the “evergreen” status of older cable/OTT comedies, like Master of None, Fleabag, or Search Party. They may not produce new content, but long gaps between their seasons means they offer a staying power as a spec choice that network comedies can’t match.
There’s an uncertainty to when shows get cancelled, but when they’re on, they’re staying on. Great news for your next spec.

Directing TV Comedy ft. Alethea Jones (Queen America/Wrecked) (PT118)

Alex and Nick invite Alethea Jones, director on Queen America, Wrecked and Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, to discuss what goes behind directing TV comedies and half-hour shows.

What is the role of a director in television? How can writers better convey action for directors? How does a director work with a TV writer on set? What are differences between directing children’s television and comedies? How do directors handle crossboarding? What are the responsibilities of being a producing director?

The Paper Team takes the shot…

PT118 Alethea Jones

SHOWNOTES

Content

Directing for TV comedies and dramas with Alethea Jones (00:43)
Final Advice, Resources and Next Week On (44:27)

Links

Alethea Jones on Twitter
Queen America on Facebook
Wrecked
Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street
Strictly Ballroom
Gretchen Enders
Charles Randolph
Babylon Berlin
Succession

Resources

DaFont
Shot Designer
Scriptation

This episode brought to you by Script PipelineSubmit by March 1st to the 2019 Script Pipeline contest for a reduced entry fee

Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode.

If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :)

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex@TVCalling
Nick@_njwatson
If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Comedy Spec Script 2018 – What is hot and what is not


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

Like every year, it is now time to review which TV shows are good to spec, and which are not.
Dedicated posts will be made respectively for the best comedies (half-hour) and the best dramas (one-hour).
As the title says, this post is all about the comedies.
In addition, you’ll also find (when available) a script for the corresponding show for educational purposes only.
Canceled or dead shows have been removed since last season’s spec list.

NOTE:
Given Warner Bros’ and NBC’s show lists for their fellowship, I have indicated with:
– An asterisk (*) any series that will not be accepted by WB.
– A dagger () any series that will not be accepted by NBC.
Any public update will be reflected on this list.

Here is a 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 to have become on-the-nose speccers — with a lot of people speccing them)
Wild Cards (soon, everyone will spec these, 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

Let’s get started.

Over-Specced

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

American Dad/Bob’s Burgers (FOX)
Remember when FOX had animated comedies?
Longevity: ★★★★ – Oh wait, they still do.

Archer (FX)
Phrasing.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – In what reality are you speccing?

The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Our whole universe was in a hot, dense state, then nearly fourteen billion years ago The Big Bang Theory started on CBS.
Longevity: ★★★★ – The earth began to cool, the autotrophs began to drool, Neanderthals developed tools, The Big Bang Theory is probably entering its last season.

BoJack Horseman/Rick & Morty (Netflix/Adult Swim)
Once being the hottest specs in town has made them both…
Longevity: ★★★★★ – …overdone.

Broad City (Comedy Central)
10/10 web series, 11/10 TV show.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Contracted for a fifth year. Whatever that means.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine/The Last Man on Earth (FOX)
FOX’s sizzling single-cams have aged.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Always a question mark.

The Goldbergs (ABC)
Put on your ugly sweaters.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Stagnant ratings, which would be a good thing in this case.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FXX)
The Gang Becomes the Definition of Overspecced.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Holding pattern on the show.

Modern Family (ABC)
I think the kids are joining the AARP next month?
Longevity: ★★★★ – Will run as long as money runs into the actors’ bank accounts.

Mom (CBS)
Starring an Academy Award-winner.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Who’s probably expanding her contract.

Silicon Valley (HBO)
‘Twas a good long-term investment…
Longevity: ★★★★★ – …but it may be soon time to cash out.

Transparent (Amazon)
Kind of a touchy pick.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – No pun intended.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
It’s been a second since a new minute aired.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – A single season divided into parts on an OTT platform is a sign of trouble, but makes your spec lasts longer.

Veep (HBO)
Too serious for our reality.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – 2019 will mean its end.

You’re the Worst (FXX)
Yes, we’re all the worst.
Longevity: ★★★★ – These final hours.


Mainstream

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

Atlanta (FX)
It’s robbin’ season.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Only Glover wanting out would end this.

Black-ish/Fresh Off the Boat (ABC)
Probably the last year in this category.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – And on a path to break five seasons.

Fuller House/One Day at a Time (Netflix)
Reboots and remakes can make it on the mainstream, especially with so few limited multi-cam options.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Popular and inexpensive show = endless.

The Good Place (NBC)
One of the best and hottest comedies on TV, also known as…
Longevity: ★★★★★ – …how to burn an entire season of stories in one quick montage.

Grace and Frankie (Netflix)
Loved by the people who watch the show.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Entering its fifth season, which may prove tricky for some.

Insecure (HBO)
The hottest new pick in the realm of respected “adult” cable comedies.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – All the awards, renewed, and only sixteen episodes deep.

Life in Pieces (CBS)
Not as popular as Modern Family in its heydays, but still one of the better family comedy options.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – It’s all or nothing for this network.

Master of None (Netflix)
Enjoy some Americanized European sensibilities.
Longevity: ★★★★ – It’s not cancelled (yet), and a third season is expected in a long time, which would make a Master spec viable as a rare long-term option.

Superstore (NBC)
Purchase it while it lasts.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Freshly renewed for a fourth complete season.


Wild Cards

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

9JKL/Kevin Can Wait/Superior Donuts/Young Sheldon (CBS) *
CBS’ quadruple threats…
Longevity: ★★★★★ – …to the art of comedy.

Better Things (FX)
Did you know this show received a Peabody Award?
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Barely three hundred thousand people watch this on TV, but critically acclaimed.

Casual/Catastrophe/Difficult People (Hulu/Amazon)
Mixed bag of opportunities.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Especially with some ending and others continuing.

Dear White People/Glow (Netflix)
Are these dramedies or full comedies? Who knows, but…
Longevity: ★★★★ – …they’re definitely trending up.

Fleabag (Amazon)
A nice complement to Search Party.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Renewed and not continuing for a while, which means your spec may be reusable for a while.

Ghosted (FOX) *
Either your new go-to FOX spec…
Longevity: ★★★★ – …or something we’ll all forget existed within a year.

Great News/Trial and Error (NBC) *
They may be new cult faves, which also means not widely watched.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Precarious renewals.

People of Earth (TBS)
In a very similar spot to its other TBS counterpart…
Longevity: ★★★★ – TBS is thirsty for some content, and it already got renewed for a third season.

Search Party (TBS)
A surprising success and ample readership moves it up.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Can you work your story within this mystery?

Speechless (ABC) *
As predicted last season, it is moved a notch to this category, despite still struggling to get read.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Dipping under a four mill total may prove fatal.

Will & Grace (NBC) *
My asthma is getting triggered from all that dust coming off your spec.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – How can I even grade this show at this point?


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.

American Housewife (ABC) *
It’s surprising to see a network show classified as an Outsider, but sadly the ratings and episode orders do not correlate to readership.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Who knows how long this ride will last.

Angie Tribeca (TBS)
Probably living its last year in this section.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Already past its third season.

Friends From College (Netflix)
One of the lesser-known Netflix comedies that is still getting read.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Renewed for another batch of eight, so you got some time.

Grown-ish (Freeform) *
This may seem like a low placement for a spinoff of a popular broadcast series…
Longevity: ★★★★ – …but remember this is on basic cable with very little readership (for now).

High Maintenance (HBO)
At least nine states offer recreational use of this show.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Freshly renewed and despite the high season count, doesn’t have many non-Vimeo linear episodes.

Love (Netflix)
Swipe right or left?
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Final season either way.

The Mick (FOX) *
A stagnating reach for a show which is still not widely accepted or watched.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – It did get additional episode orders, but who knows where this leads.

Young & Hungry (Freeform) *
Ending its five-season run while still not being specced or accepted enough to be retired as an overspeccer.
Longevity: ★★★★ – A rare low longevity grade for a show that isn’t ovespecced — mainly because this is their final season.


Gamblers

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

Alone Together (Freeform) *
Another Freeform show that may become way too niche to gain spec momentum.
Longevity: ★★★★ – It barely premiered, so impossible to gauge.

American Vandal/Big Mouth/Flaked/The Ranch (Netflix) *
What do these Netflix shows have in common? They’re not widely accepted or read. You’d think these popular and/or critically lauded comedies would be shoe-in for spec material, and yet here we are.
Longevity: ★★★★ – Also the narratives will be a tough nut to crack.

A.P. Bio/Champions/LA to Vegas (NBC/FOX) *
Way too new to consider.
Longevity: ★★★★ – And who knows what ratings even mean.

Baskets (FX) *
Second straight year at this level for a very niche cable show.
Longevity: ★★★★★

Man With a Plan (CBS) *
Why is a broadcast show so low on this list? Simple: it’s not accepted by many programs.
Longevity: ★★★★★ – Also, it’s gonna run forever.


2018 Trends

Did anyone say peak TV? The explosion of content keeps chugging along with no end in sight — especially on the half-hour front. Trends predicted last year are getting confirmed, including a ton a fresh choices outside of your usual networks. In fact, even the big premium outlets are getting some fierce competition from unexpected sources.

This time, we hit 63 (!) different half-hours listed and rated (a huge increase from last season’s 48, and 2016’s 40). There’s also a resurgence in the classic broadcast end with 28 series originating from the big four. Compared to prior years, they’ve nearly recaptured that two-to-one cable advantage.

That said, take a note of how those cable and OTT networks are evolving. Netflix alone makes up a whopping 14 shows on the board. Nearly a quarter of all comedy series (thanks in part to unique offerings like American Vandal, Big Mouth, Dear White People, or Glow). And more lower-key outlets, including TBS and Freeform, are gaining ground on the field.
Speaking of more content, we’ve barely begun to scratch the surface of all revivals and reboots coming to television. Will & Grace, Fuller House and One Day at a Time are at the forefront of this new tidal wave that will be sure to grow in the next few seasons.

In short, things are moving, and they’re moving fast. There’s a lot of offers, which means great diversity for your spec. But while this fragmentation may seem like a net-positive, we might incidentally be headed for very few “mainstream” shows, in favor of a ton more “wild cards”, “outsiders” and “gamblers”. Selecting the right show to spec may prove more difficult than ever.