--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So much of television is incredibly…" description: "\"So much of television is incredibly predictable. You watch the first five minutes and you know where it's going to go. If you can just create an elemen..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/david-nevins-37132_ahead_so-much-of-television-is-incredibly-pred_2219623.jpg" --- # So much of television is incredibly predictable. You watch… ![“So much of television is incredibly predictable. You watch the first five minutes and you know where it's going to go. If you can just create an element of surprise in both the storytelling and tone of a show, you're going to be way ahead of the pack.” quote by David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/david-nevins-37132_ahead_so-much-of-television-is-incredibly-pred_2219623.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/david-nevins-37132_ahead_so-much-of-television-is-incredibly-pred_2219623.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/david-nevins-37132_ahead_so-much-of-television-is-incredibly-pred_2219623.jpg) > “So much of television is incredibly predictable. You watch the first five minutes and you know where it's going to go. If you can just create an element of surprise in both the storytelling and tone of a show, you're going to be way ahead of the pack.” [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Predictability in TV reduces engagement; surprise revitalizes narratives and keeps audiences invested. **In simple terms:** Predictable shows bore; surprise keeps viewers hooked. Key Takeaway Introduce unexpected twists in plot and tone. Themes creativity storytelling audience engagement Mood curious analytical Type media analysis industry insight When to use this quote - TV pilots - season arcs - character development - marketing campaigns Key Concepts Narrative surprise media fatigue Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance surprise with brand consistency? - What risks arise from too much unpredictability? A Different Perspective Surprise can alienate loyal fans expecting formulaic comfort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Element of surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/element-of-surprise/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Tone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tone/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of times in television, it's incredibly rushed, and you're just trying to get the pace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-o-malley/a-lot-of-times-in-television-it-s-incredibly-rushed-and-you-re-just/) [Mike O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-o-malley/) > [The only thing that would deter me at the moment would be the idea of doing one thing for a very long time. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-pegg/the-only-thing-that-would-deter-me-at-the-moment-would-be-the-idea-of/) [Simon Pegg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-pegg/) > [For a writer, working in television is an incredibly rewarding medium. You're in charge of all aspects of production and get to see your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-savage/for-a-writer-working-in-television-is-an-incredibly-rewarding-medium/) [Stephanie Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-savage/) > [The initial attraction of a political convention was that often the outcome was not preordained. There was at least some element of surprise. But,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mckinnon/the-initial-attraction-of-a-political-convention-was-that-often-the/) [Mark McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mckinnon/) > [For me, what is most important is the element of surprise. If I can surprise you with every film of mine, that is exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-rampal/for-me-what-is-most-important-is-the-element-of-surprise-if-i-can/) [Arjun Rampal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arjun-rampal/) > [I want to keep looking for roles that have an element of surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahir-raj-bhasin/i-want-to-keep-looking-for-roles-that-have-an-element-of-surprise/) [Tahir Raj Bhasin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahir-raj-bhasin/) > [I always knew I would be successful. So there was no element of surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aishwarya-rai-bachchan/i-always-knew-i-would-be-successful-so-there-was-no-element-of/) [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aishwarya-rai-bachchan/) > [Acting in film, you know, I hear all the time, people say 'You did so much better than I thought you would.' So there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/acting-in-film-you-know-i-hear-all-the-time-people-say-you-did-so/) T.I > [I know that the last thing a book wants is to just sit around unread, serving as an element of interior decorating. So when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ehrenreich/i-know-that-the-last-thing-a-book-wants-is-to-just-sit-around-unread/) [Barbara Ehrenreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ehrenreich/) > [Only way to eliminate the element of surprise is to know yourself and now your adversary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/only-way-to-eliminate-the-element-of-surprise-is-to-know-yourself-and/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [Because we all know one of the main factors of war is the element of surprise. And what could be more surprising than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/because-we-all-know-one-of-the-main-factors-of-war-is-the-element-of/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [“If you are in difficulties with a book,” suggested H. G. Wells, “try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/if-you-are-in-difficulties-with-a-book-suggested-h-g-wells-try-the/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [That's the hardest thing about doing sequels - you've lost the element of surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/that-s-the-hardest-thing-about-doing-sequels-you-ve-lost-the-element/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [On the sequel, you've lost the element of surprise. Usually, on the first one you may not go very, very deep into character; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/on-the-sequel-you-ve-lost-the-element-of-surprise-usually-on-the/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [This element of surprise or mystery - the detective element as it is sometimes rather emptily called - is of great importance in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/this-element-of-surprise-or-mystery-the-detective-element-as-it-is/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) ## More by David Nevins > [In all my shows, I'm not interested in the iconic shots of the Capitol and the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. I'm always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/in-all-my-shows-i-m-not-interested-in-the-iconic-shots-of-the-capitol/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) > [One of the fundamental issues with The Vatican is that the world changed on us. That show was conceived and written while Pope Benedict…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/one-of-the-fundamental-issues-with-the-vatican-is-that-the-world/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) > [I like shows that are surprising and not predictable. That have deep, rich characters that are fully formed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/i-like-shows-that-are-surprising-and-not-predictable-that-have-deep/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) > [I sold 'Time Life' books on the telephone. It's probably the only pure skill job I've ever had. When you're on and you're good,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/i-sold-time-life-books-on-the-telephone-it-s-probably-the-only-pure/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) > [I'm always interested in trying to stay on the cutting edge of television storytelling. To be slightly in front, pushing for the next new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/i-m-always-interested-in-trying-to-stay-on-the-cutting-edge-of/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) > [I love being a producer, and I think I essentially still operate as a producer even though I now have control of marketing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/i-love-being-a-producer-and-i-think-i-essentially-still-operate-as-a/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) > [I actually have very girly taste in television. I like a chicky relationship show probably more than anything. I really like 'Project Runway'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/i-actually-have-very-girly-taste-in-television-i-like-a-chicky/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) > [I like stories with a collision of disparate tones. Look at 'Shameless' or 'House of Lies'. They go from big, silly, and comedic to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/i-like-stories-with-a-collision-of-disparate-tones-look-at-shameless/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) > [When it comes to storytelling, not taking risks is riskier than swinging for the fences. I have very simple ambitions when it comes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/when-it-comes-to-storytelling-not-taking-risks-is-riskier-than/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) > [The enemy of good television is boredom and predictability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/the-enemy-of-good-television-is-boredom-and-predictability/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) > [I have very simple ambitions. If I can just not be boring, I'm ahead of the game. It's hard in television. I think you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nevins/i-have-very-simple-ambitions-if-i-can-just-not-be-boring-i-m-ahead-of/) [David Nevins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) [Explore all 12 David Nevins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nevins/) ## More Ahead quotes > [Anybody who thinks that they should lead the country should go ahead and put their hat in the ring. 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Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [In Life, We May Never Get The Same Opportunity Again, But There's Always Something Better Ahead...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/in-life-we-may-never-get-the-same-opportunity-again-but-there-s/) Pacifiersucker > [Makeup is only fun if it's occasional and capricious - just like it's a treat to have an empty day ahead, but it wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-coren-mitchell/makeup-is-only-fun-if-it-s-occasional-and-capricious-just-like-it-s-a/) [Victoria Coren Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-coren-mitchell/) > [There is no such thing as disposable time if you want to stay ahead of the game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-no-such-thing-as-disposable-time-if-you-want-to-stay-ahead/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm the kind of guy who comes home and checks scores for everything. I'm a sports fan in general, so I pretty much keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chadwick-boseman/i-m-the-kind-of-guy-who-comes-home-and-checks-scores-for-everything-i/) [Chadwick Boseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chadwick-boseman/) > [People are flying you places in business class. Everyone wants to take pictures of you and find out information about you. It's a freak-out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yolandi-visser/people-are-flying-you-places-in-business-class-everyone-wants-to-take/) [Yolandi Visser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yolandi-visser/) > [I wasn't putting my all into it and I was still managing to score goals, and that gave me something to dream about, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gray/i-wasn-t-putting-my-all-into-it-and-i-was-still-managing-to-score/) [Andre Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gray/) > [There's no limit to what you can accomplish, but there's always someone one step ahead of you, so it's a constant uphill battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mary-stewart/there-s-no-limit-to-what-you-can-accomplish-but-there-s-always/) [Catherine Mary Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mary-stewart/) > [I was never bothered about my position in the industry. If I had believed in it, I wouldn't have allowed anyone to get ahead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharmendra/i-was-never-bothered-about-my-position-in-the-industry-if-i-had/) [Dharmendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharmendra/) > [I don't want to look too far ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jofra-archer/i-don-t-want-to-look-too-far-ahead/) [Jofra Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jofra-archer/) > [“one who takes the first step always remains one step ahead”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabi-shaheen/one-who-takes-the-first-step-always-remains-one-step-ahead/) Rabi Shaheen > [I am not interested to sing in Bollywood. I sing for only those actors whom I admire. I sing free of cost for them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-honey-singh/i-am-not-interested-to-sing-in-bollywood-i-sing-for-only-those-actors/) [Yo Yo Honey Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-honey-singh/) Browse all 1,773 Ahead quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "So much of television is incredibly predictable. You watch the first five minutes and you know where it's going to go. 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