--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Honestly, one-hour drama is the hardest…" description: "\"Honestly, one-hour drama is the hardest format there is. I think it's harder than movies, and it's harder than half-hour comedy.\" — Alexis Denisof" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/alexis-denisof-26231_comedy_honestly-one-hour-drama-is-the-hardest-f_650489.jpg" --- # Honestly, one-hour drama is the hardest format there is. I… ![“Honestly, one-hour drama is the hardest format there is. I think it's harder than movies, and it's harder than half-hour comedy.” quote by Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/alexis-denisof-26231_comedy_honestly-one-hour-drama-is-the-hardest-f_650489.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/alexis-denisof-26231_comedy_honestly-one-hour-drama-is-the-hardest-f_650489.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/alexis-denisof-26231_comedy_honestly-one-hour-drama-is-the-hardest-f_650489.jpg) > “Honestly, one-hour drama is the hardest format there is. I think it's harder than movies, and it's harder than half-hour comedy.” [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The one‑hour drama format demands tight storytelling and character depth, making it tougher than longer or shorter formats. **In simple terms:** One‑hour drama is hardest due to tight constraints. Key Takeaway Focus on concise, compelling narrative. Themes storytelling drama format challenge creativity Mood intense reflective Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - TV writing - screenwriting - producing - directing - acting Key Concepts Narrative economy character development tempo Questions to Reflect On - How can writers maximize impact in limited time? - What techniques keep audiences engaged? A Different Perspective Longer formats allow more breathing room; one‑hour must compress arcs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drama/) [Drama Hardest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drama-hardest-5202983/) [Format](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/format/) [Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half/) [Half hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half-hours/) [Harder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harder/) [Hardest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardest/) [Hardest Format](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardest-format-5202984/) [Honestly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honestly/) [Hour Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hour-comedy-409456/) [Hour Drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hour-drama-1194324/) [Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hours/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Movies Harder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movies-harder-4060735/) [One hour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-hour/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [ \[on making the transition from the comedy "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970) to its dramatic spin-off series "Lou Grant" (1977)\] We were really worried about… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-asner/on-making-the-transition-from-the-comedy-mary-tyler-moore-1970-to-its/) [Ed Asner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-asner/) > [I'm a total one-hour drama addict. I think when you're a comedian, you tend towards dramas because that's the less stressful thing to watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-silverman/i-m-a-total-one-hour-drama-addict-i-think-when-you-re-a-comedian-you/) [Sarah Silverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-silverman/) > [I hadn't made a big-budget film, and in Hollywood there's a sort of man and boys situation. You're a man, you make $80 million…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-van-sant/i-hadn-t-made-a-big-budget-film-and-in-hollywood-there-s-a-sort-of/) [Gus Van Sant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-van-sant/) > [It is great to be a part of big-budget movies, but it is harder to feel like you are contributing, in the sense that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomie-harris/it-is-great-to-be-a-part-of-big-budget-movies-but-it-is-harder-to/) [Naomie Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomie-harris/) > [I just like movies, not one particular kind or genre. In fact, movies that are harder to classify I like more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-zombie/i-just-like-movies-not-one-particular-kind-or-genre-in-fact-movies/) [Rob Zombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-zombie/) > [In terms of television and movies, I've been really interested in seeing the partnership of comedy and beauty and heart. I think they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-silverman/in-terms-of-television-and-movies-i-ve-been-really-interested-in/) [Sarah Silverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-silverman/) > [I was doing an hour drama on television and a Jackie Chan movie in Toronto, so I was on a plane every three days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debi-mazar/i-was-doing-an-hour-drama-on-television-and-a-jackie-chan-movie-in/) [Debi Mazar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debi-mazar/) > [More than anything else, though, to anyone who would write about it, golf offers a four-hour drama in two acts, which becomes memorable even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-cooke/more-than-anything-else-though-to-anyone-who-would-write-about-it/) [Alistair Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-cooke/) > [You know what I would really like to do? I'd like to do a half hour drama with comedy in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gless/you-know-what-i-would-really-like-to-do-i-d-like-to-do-a-half-hour/) [Sharon Gless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gless/) > [It's so funny, I've done so many projects where I've been interrogated. I guest starred on almost every hour drama, and I'm always the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/it-s-so-funny-i-ve-done-so-many-projects-where-i-ve-been-interrogated/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I was dreading all of the ghost stories of working on American television, not in the least, the length. In Britain, a series is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/i-was-dreading-all-of-the-ghost-stories-of-working-on-american/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [That's what life is, it's the small struggles. You walk down the street for half an hour, you see half an hour of drama.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/that-s-what-life-is-it-s-the-small-struggles-you-walk-down-the-street/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [With any half-hour comedy, it kind of takes on its own life and finds itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-macfarlane/with-any-half-hour-comedy-it-kind-of-takes-on-its-own-life-and-finds/) [Seth MacFarlane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-macfarlane/) > ['Breaking In' is a very different office comedy and a caper comedy. Aside from 'Chuck,' there is no half-hour comedy that does stuff like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-f-goldberg/breaking-in-is-a-very-different-office-comedy-and-a-caper-comedy/) [Adam F. Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-f-goldberg/) > [You'd think they could spit out shows better than 'Champs' and 'High Incident' with the pool of talent involved, unless they're just throwing money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-pasdar/you-d-think-they-could-spit-out-shows-better-than-champs-and-high/) [Adrian Pasdar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-pasdar/) ## More by Alexis Denisof > [In the same way that Shakespeare was writing very much for his time, he was also unearthing observations that would last for generations beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/in-the-same-way-that-shakespeare-was-writing-very-much-for-his-time/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [I think we're all fascinated and a little mystified by how the brain works. One of the most mysterious of the physical sciences is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/i-think-we-re-all-fascinated-and-a-little-mystified-by-how-the-brain/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [Life is not just one dark moment after another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/life-is-not-just-one-dark-moment-after-another/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [Sometimes time constraints bring out something cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/sometimes-time-constraints-bring-out-something-cool/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [The inherent corruption of man can often bring down the best system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/the-inherent-corruption-of-man-can-often-bring-down-the-best-system/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [My grandfather was from outside of Moscow, and my grandmother, although some of her family were French, was from Odessa. They met as immigrants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/my-grandfather-was-from-outside-of-moscow-and-my-grandmother-although/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [Shakespeare is the Joss Whedon of his generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/shakespeare-is-the-joss-whedon-of-his-generation/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [Anybody who believes and experiences their life and doesn't have shades of gray in it doesn't live where I live and is simply not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/anybody-who-believes-and-experiences-their-life-and-doesn-t-have/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [Personally, my taste is towards development of a character, as well as the resolution of a story plot. I like to find both, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/personally-my-taste-is-towards-development-of-a-character-as-well-as/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [That's an important lesson for me, to not qualify my experience against somebody else's. My experience is the experience that I wanted to have,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/that-s-an-important-lesson-for-me-to-not-qualify-my-experience/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [I moved to Seattle when I was two or three years old. Had my early education there, and would spend summers on the farm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/i-moved-to-seattle-when-i-was-two-or-three-years-old-had-my-early/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [You learn a lot about a person when you work together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/you-learn-a-lot-about-a-person-when-you-work-together/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [There's nothing as satisfying, thrilling and gratifying as parenthood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/there-s-nothing-as-satisfying-thrilling-and-gratifying-as-parenthood/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [I think with the smaller-scale projects, the burden for success falls more squarely on the shoulders of the actors and the director and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/i-think-with-the-smaller-scale-projects-the-burden-for-success-falls/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) > [I think most people in the developed world would admit to carrying some sort of handheld device, whether it's a laptop or a cell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-denisof/i-think-most-people-in-the-developed-world-would-admit-to-carrying/) [Alexis Denisof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) [Explore all 22 Alexis Denisof quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-denisof/) ## More Comedy quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [You can laugh at me, but I understand show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/you-can-laugh-at-me-but-i-understand-show-business/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I wouldn't want people to laugh at me. That's why I have to give all that I can, and at least produce something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhao-wei/i-wouldn-t-want-people-to-laugh-at-me-that-s-why-i-have-to-give-all/) [Zhao Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhao-wei/) > [“Our world will not die as a result of the bomb, as the papers say, it will die of laughter, of banality, of making a joke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/our-world-will-not-die-as-a-result-of-the-bomb-as-the-papers-say-it/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [I've been funny my whole life. This is a gift God gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-ve-been-funny-my-whole-life-this-is-a-gift-god-gave-me/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [“Laugh and grow strong”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-loyola/laugh-and-grow-strong/) [Ignatius of Loyola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-loyola/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [There's a difference between delivering real funny and just silly funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-rel-howery/there-s-a-difference-between-delivering-real-funny-and-just-silly/) [Lil Rel Howery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-rel-howery/) > [Oh to that corkscrew, the useful tool to unlock the treasure of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-guzaldo/oh-to-that-corkscrew-the-useful-tool-to-unlock-the-treasure-of-wit/) [Andrew Guzaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-guzaldo/) > [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/) [Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/) > [I do love to laugh!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-giudice/i-do-love-to-laugh/) [Teresa Giudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-giudice/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Browse all 19,795 Comedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Honestly, one-hour drama is the hardest format there is. 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