--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've been on my share of network dramas…" description: "\"I've been on my share of network dramas and comedies, and the problem sometimes in a network is they have a single-minded focus on making the show true..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/mark-feuerstein-33966_comedy_i-ve-been-on-my-share-of-network-dramas_299458.jpg" --- # I've been on my share of network dramas and comedies, and… ![“I've been on my share of network dramas and comedies, and the problem sometimes in a network is they have a single-minded focus on making the show true to whatever genre it is. If you're on a drama, it better be procedural, it better fulfill all the demands of a procedural show, and you better…” quote by Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/mark-feuerstein-33966_comedy_i-ve-been-on-my-share-of-network-dramas_299458.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/mark-feuerstein-33966_comedy_i-ve-been-on-my-share-of-network-dramas_299458.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/mark-feuerstein-33966_comedy_i-ve-been-on-my-share-of-network-dramas_299458.jpg) > “I've been on my share of network dramas and comedies, and the problem sometimes in a network is they have a single-minded focus on making the show true to whatever genre it is. If you're on a drama, it better be procedural, it better fulfill all the demands of a procedural show, and you better keep those episodes independent, so if I'm watching the show in seven years as its syndicated on some other cable network, I don't have to know what happened before or after the episode. If you're on a comedy, everything has to be funny and wacky and zany.” [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Network TV often forces shows to adhere strictly to genre conventions, limiting narrative continuity and flexibility. **In simple terms:** Shows are constrained by genre expectations and episode independence. Key Takeaway Consider balancing genre fidelity with creative storytelling. Themes television genre conventions storytelling network constraints Mood analytical critical Type industry creative When to use this quote - scriptwriting - showrunning - syndication planning - genre blending Key Concepts narrative structure audience expectations Questions to Reflect On - How can creators maintain genre identity while introducing serialized arcs? - What strategies help keep episodic shows fresh over time? A Different Perspective Strict genre focus can stifle innovation and long‑term character development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drama/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) ## Related quotes > [Justin Lin, the writer and director of the teenage-wasteland drama 'Better Luck Tomorrow,' a shrewdly tense piece of storytelling, recognizes that sometimes it's good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-mitchell/justin-lin-the-writer-and-director-of-the-teenage-wasteland-drama/) [Elvis Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-mitchell/) > [Timing and pace are important in any film, whether it be comedy or drama. And how better to learn the fundamentals of these show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-walters/timing-and-pace-are-important-in-any-film-whether-it-be-comedy-or/) Charles Walters > [I would say 80% of the scripts I get are dramas and not comedies or romantic comedies, which is funny because that's what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-longoria/i-would-say-80-of-the-scripts-i-get-are-dramas-and-not-comedies-or/) [Eva Longoria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-longoria/) > [I've always wanted to do non-comedies. I've always done dramas, comedies, music, and I always like to bop around and do different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-oz/i-ve-always-wanted-to-do-non-comedies-i-ve-always-done-dramas-2/) [Frank Oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-oz/) > [I have never understood people dividing things into dramas and comedies,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-nichols/i-have-never-understood-people-dividing-things-into-dramas-and/) [Mike Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-nichols/) > [I've always wanted to do non-comedies, I've always done dramas, comedies, music, and I always like to bop around and do different things. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-oz/i-ve-always-wanted-to-do-non-comedies-i-ve-always-done-dramas/) [Frank Oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-oz/) > [There's an absolute prejudice that good movies are dramas and comedies are more dismissable. But I couldn't disagree more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/there-s-an-absolute-prejudice-that-good-movies-are-dramas-and/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [With a lot of the movies that I've done, they've been both dramas and comedies from Shanghai Noon to Billy Bob Thornton's second movie,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/with-a-lot-of-the-movies-that-i-ve-done-they-ve-been-both-dramas-and/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [You know what I want? The answer is, I truly don't know what I want. I don't want to do a television series. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-fox/you-know-what-i-want-the-answer-is-i-truly-don-t-know-what-i-want-i/) [Michael J. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-fox/) > [If you're on a network show, it's either some wacky sitcom or a drama where you're servicing a procedure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/if-you-re-on-a-network-show-it-s-either-some-wacky-sitcom-or-a-drama/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [We like existentially wacky characters who exist in existential crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/we-like-existentially-wacky-characters-who-exist-in-existential-crisis/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [You can never have enough wacky in MMA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-helwani/you-can-never-have-enough-wacky-in-mma/) [Ariel Helwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-helwani/) > [ I thought it \[Star Wars\] was too wacky for the general public. Right or wrong this is my movie, this is my decision, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/i-thought-it-star-wars-was-too-wacky-for-the-general-public-right-or/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [Not surprisingly, troubled economic times often beget proselytizers of wacky, extreme ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-rattner/not-surprisingly-troubled-economic-times-often-beget-proselytizers-of/) [Steven Rattner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-rattner/) > [I deliberately look for colorful people. They're very right for theatre. Theatre has to be theatrical. If you can get color into the accountant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lanford-wilson/i-deliberately-look-for-colorful-people-they-re-very-right-for/) [Lanford Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lanford-wilson/) ## More by Mark Feuerstein > [I always believe that my greatest audience will come from 70-year-old Jewish men and Jewish women, but that's me from my experience of going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/i-always-believe-that-my-greatest-audience-will-come-from-70-year-old/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [If you're on a network show, it's either some wacky sitcom or a drama where you're servicing a procedure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/if-you-re-on-a-network-show-it-s-either-some-wacky-sitcom-or-a-drama/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [I just give off this kind of feminine vibe which has... served me so well with women in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/i-just-give-off-this-kind-of-feminine-vibe-which-has-served-me-so/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [In high school, I was a total jock/extracurricular nerd/just plain nerd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/in-high-school-i-was-a-total-jock-extracurricular-nerd-just-plain-nerd/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [I just recently joined Twitter. It's very positive - I love all the accolades. If my ego is hurting, I can just open my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/i-just-recently-joined-twitter-it-s-very-positive-i-love-all-the/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [The closest thing I use to beauty products is the grease on the pizza from John's Pizzeria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/the-closest-thing-i-use-to-beauty-products-is-the-grease-on-the-pizza/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [Well, first of all, I grew up in New York City, going to first a public school, then a private school, and when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/well-first-of-all-i-grew-up-in-new-york-city-going-to-first-a-public/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [Okay, so, sometimes in life, I can be a score-keeper - someone who keeps track of what he gives and what he gets in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/okay-so-sometimes-in-life-i-can-be-a-score-keeper-someone-who-keeps/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [To use a word I never thought I'd apply to myself, I've sort of become a Luddite with regard to information. Where everyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/to-use-a-word-i-never-thought-i-d-apply-to-myself-i-ve-sort-of-become/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [I'm always wondering: Have all these time-saving devices actually saved us any time, or have they just created a million fetishes and obsessions that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/i-m-always-wondering-have-all-these-time-saving-devices-actually/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [Once you become an actor, it's important to take care of yourself. I live in Santa Monica, where I can mountain bike, hike and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/once-you-become-an-actor-it-s-important-to-take-care-of-yourself-i/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [There are many interactions that an actor like me has in public when he gets recognized. The best are 'You're a great actor, good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/there-are-many-interactions-that-an-actor-like-me-has-in-public-when/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) > [I love to listen to Howard Stern with the guy who drives me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-feuerstein/i-love-to-listen-to-howard-stern-with-the-guy-who-drives-me/) [Mark Feuerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) [Explore all 14 Mark Feuerstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-feuerstein/) ## 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": "I've been on my share of network dramas and comedies, and the problem sometimes in a network is they have a single-minded focus on making the show true to whatever genre it is. If you're on a drama, it better be procedural, it better fulfill all the demands of a procedural show, and you better keep those episodes independent, so if I'm watching the show in seven years as its syndicated on some other cable network, I don't have to know what happened before or after the episode. 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