Comments on: Theme of the week

By: Eugene

Eugene — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:53:44 +0000

In the strange synchronicity department, seeing promos for Life Unexpected (CW) immediately made me think of My Girl (TV Asahi), which debuted in October (though based on a manga that came out two years ago). Both series are about singles becoming instant parents to a biological daughter well after the fact (you know, sparing them all that bother with potty training). I wonder if studios employ clipping services that simply troll the world for ideas, ideas, ideas.

By: Dude

Dude — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:23:02 +0000

MoJo thinks they sit around playing poker together and talk about it. Dude wonders if that is true, and maybe they even bet on it. Winner of the night gets his theme used, and everyone else has to incorporate it into their shows.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:16:21 +0000

The reason isn’t as dramatic as it sounds. Once you get in Hollywood (the virtual entity) you pretty much know what will be going on. Heck, read Variety magazine and you’ll get a heads up for what’s coming up.

Writers know each other, either by reputation or because they’ve worked together. They talk. Producers know each other. They hear things. Bit actors and extras talk about other shows they’ve worked on.

It’s not that shows copy each other (though they do that too), there isn’t time, its that they hear ideas and copy those. That’s why you occasionally get several movies at the time on the same subject. (And why producers sometimes do wacky things, like buy up all the costumes and book all the sets for a particular genre.)

By: Dude

Dude — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:06:03 +0000

Dude watches CSI, Law and Order, NCIS, Ghost Whisperer, Medium, Castle,Criminal Minds, Men of a Certain Age (relates to all 3 dudes), Scrubs (don’t like school theme), Grey’s Anatomy,Private Practice, Numbers, The Mentalist (what the heck is The CBI and why didn’t Dude ever hear of them in 35 yrs living in California).

Dude also is annoyed that guide says a show is “NEW” every time it shows in a week. It is only new the first day.

Haggis doesn’t like Furries?

By: Yvette Davis

Yvette Davis — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:59:28 +0000

Yes I’ve noticed that too. Sometimes in real life as well. For example, this week’s theme at my house is disgusting bodily fluids. Yech.

By: haggis

haggis — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:54:42 +0000

Where have you been? It’s been rampant in the last few years, especially. I think I finally figured out it was an actual conspiracy around the time everyone was having sex parties in animal costumes. *snicker*

How ’bout those cross-series double-headers to try to get you hooked on another lame show, too? Ack.

By: JulieW8

JulieW8 — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:14:59 +0000

I must not be paying enough attention cuz I hadn’t noticed.

What shows does he record?

By: Leigh Royals

Leigh Royals — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:43:21 +0000

I’ve noticed this too. That’s why I get bored! Maybe the first one or two shows with whatever trope happens catches my attention. But then I need a change. Meh. It happens. I just hope to not do this with my series. *fear*

By: Magdalen

Magdalen — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:27:38 +0000

Not sure about theme of the week on TV, but I’ve definitely see that effect in city traffic. One day it’s Cyclists Running Stop Signs, other days it’s Pedestrians Crossing Against the Light, etc. Had to see three instances of a phenomenon in a 20-minute commute for it to be declared a Theme of the Day. Surprising how often that occurred!