After the success of 'Empire' and 'How to Get Away with…
“After the success of 'Empire' and 'How to Get Away with Murder' and 'Scandal' and 'Power' and 'Black-ish', which all had characters that were genuine, authentic, and had the language of real people, I found myself coming into pilot season and every network just wanted to have their version of one of those shows.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques networks copying authentic, character‑driven shows, suggesting a lack of originality in TV production.
In simple terms: Networks copy successful shows, losing authenticity.
Seek original, genuine storytelling.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- pilot season
- network pitches
- show development
- writer meetings
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can creators balance originality with commercial appeal?
- What defines authenticity in modern TV?
Originality can be risky and may not guarantee ratings.