Chris M. wrote:

For me, Character is about 1000 times more important than plot, as I actually consider plot-driven shows (24, Law & Order, all crime shows on CBS, particularly the idiotic CSI) to be boring and bad. A plot gets old and stale, a well-developed character does not. My favorite TV show of all time is The West Wing, which was named here as one of those character-based shows, and that's the reason it's tied the record for the most Emmy winning drama. Characters count.

A show like Heroes, one of this season's biggest success stories, works because of it's character. Sure it has an interesting plot, and that works in it's favor, but if the characters were dull and didn't grab you, no one would be tuning in. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, while not a ratings superstar, is arguably the most critically acclaimed show of this new season and it also focuses on characters and relationships. See the pattern?

posted at October 20, 2006 08:00 PM

edgeoforever wrote:

Good writing. it usually means the two are balanced, too much plot doesn't reset characters and enough going on to make staying with the characters worthwhile. The great shows have mixed stand-alone stories with arcs - see Angel, Farscape. They also had character study episodes (Spin the Bottle) and mostly action ones - but in those the characters STAYED TRUE TO THEMSELVES - which is the key.
A show like Heroes gives me "chnnel flipping" story telling - to many tidbits, to many intrerruptions. Still undecided if I'll keep at it because some tidbits are good. Hint: not all viewers have ADD! Also, notice that Lost, for all the hype is slipping in ratings - others might have caught up that plots have no pay-offs.

posted at October 21, 2006 12:03 PM

Jeffrey wrote:

I'd have to vote in favor of character development as something that is a common factor in the more popular shows. I like several high-involvment shows (24, Prison Break, Lost), but the better shows which are story driven have some degree of character development and ongoing subplots (CSI).

That's not to say I don't enjoy certain shows which revolve around a plot, like many crime dramas. I liked The Jury and the concept of showing the audience the facts as they came out in the trial, but there was essentially no character development at all. It tanked. Justice is in some degree of trouble because while it is an excellent look at how high priced defense teams work, there has been little character development of said high priced lawyers.

posted at October 21, 2006 05:12 PM

charles wrote:

So long as programmers (or rather accountants calling themselves programmers) demand 'hit show' ratings from the first episode, character development will be secondary (*very* secondary.) "Lost", for instance, has so much 'boom' that we're still getting to know basic character stuff three years in. TV used to be about art, now its about accounting. (Jeez, I sound 80! :-)

posted at October 21, 2006 06:04 PM

alanna paully wrote:

For me, Character is about 1000 times more important than plot, as I actually consider plot-driven shows (24, Law & Order, all crime shows on CBS, particularly the idiotic CSI) to be boring and bad. A plot gets old and stale, a well-developed character does not.

I think the difference between the two is that some people like a very detailed and sophisticated plot line that will make the hunt for where the show is going (X-Files, Lost, etc.) Personally I like having a show that can last for years and have the viewers still not understand everything that is going on. After all that is how life really works! On the other hand there are shows that are based around one character who manages to solve all problems and save the world in exactly 30 or 60 minutes respectively and then that problem is never heard of again. Just does not seem realistic to me. Unfortunately, Americans really have no attentions span in entertainment anymore. We all want everything introduced, walked through and wrapped up in 30/60 minutes so that we don't have to trouble our pretty little heads with that crazy thinking thing.

posted at October 23, 2006 07:14 PM

mouse wrote:

Ironically, Kidnapped is actually showing character development (and is much better than 24 has been since season 1). I feel it suffers from what I like to call scheduling error. It was definitely paired with the exact wrong shows and may have done better if paired with Heroes, which is, thus far, a "break out hit," though the adrenaline junky aspect of the superhero show may have been a poor fit for the more sedate Kidnapped. In any case, it was given an awful time slot in terms of show pairing and target demographics.

posted at October 23, 2006 11:32 PM

Christina wrote:

I think both character and plot are important, but if one had to outweigh the other, well then it depends. I've watched shows purely because I love the characters or actors on it, even if the story is crap. But then there are other shows where the characters are kind of blah, but the storylines are amazing. It all depends on the writing and the acting man. They make the show.

posted at October 24, 2006 02:35 AM

Mark wrote:

It's the balance between the two that makes things interesting. Yeah, the main plot arcs on Lost would still be cool if the characters were shallow and one-dimensional and they never had the flashbacks, but you wouldn't know what makes them tick or why their motivations are so important to them. Character-driven episodes are every bit as important as plot-driven episodes, and it's the shows that combine them in just the right amount that really emerge as the best. If you can have both a major arching plot, an episodic dilemma to solve, and a subplot of character motivation/backstory, and can do this consistently, you will have a great show.

posted at October 24, 2006 12:15 PM