Script-of-the-Week: Roseanne - Daytime Drama

by Michael J. Prescott (52pages)

Points of Interest:

• Pacing: Quick although it feels longer than the previous episode.

• Screen Visibility: Minimal.

• Formatting: Standard.

Recommendation: This episode has some very funny one-liners/retorts that really build up the strength of the script.

Script-of-the-Week: Roseanne - “The Commercial Show”

by Maxine Lapiduss & Jennifer Heath (54 pages)

Points of Interest:

• Pacing: Quick. Jokes perfectly set up and paid off.

• Screen Visibility: Minimum for TV Sitcom.

• Formatting: Traditional.

Recommendation: For writers who want to expose themselves to well crafted and timed jokes that appear deceptively simple.

Script-of-the-Week:Cheers - Showdown Pt.2

by Les and Glen Charles (37 pages)

Points of Interest:

Pacing: Quick considering most of the story is about Diane and Derek/Sam.

Screen Visibility: Minimal.

Formatting: Standard.

Recommendation: For writers who want to focus on a 2 part structure for sit-com writing. It is also helpful to note the character development evident in the writing. Each character clearly has their own voice.

Script-of-the-Week:Cheers - Showdown Part 1

by Les and Glen Charles (36 pages)

Points of Interest:

• Pacing: Quick pacing with strong set-ups and punchlines

• Screen Visibility: Minimal.

• Formatting: Standard.

Recommendation: For writers who want to familiarize themselves with a 2 part format. Note that each episode is shorter than traditional single episodes.

Script-of-the-Week: Cheers - Give Me A Ring Sometime FIRST EPISODE

by Glen and Les Charles (45 pages)

Awards:Emmy(1983)Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Points of Interest:

Pacing: Quick. Jokes and characterizations are set up in one or two beats. I didn’t understand a couple of jokes that sere dated.

Screen Visibility: Minimal, even though it’s the first episode -- visualization for the screen is apparently not an issue.

Formatting: Standard for the time, but likely dated for todays requirements.

Recommendation: For writers who want to learn about opening a sit-com. By the end of this first episode, all the information we need to know about the characters has been introduced. The characters stayed this way for the full 11 year run of the show.