What Not To Say When Pitching A TV Show
People in London have been curious. What was it like to pitch a TV show in LA, they ask. I tell them it’s a lot like being the guest of honor at a dinner party. And everyone is eagerly waiting for you to get to the funny part of the story, looking at you, waiting to laugh. Only no one is drunk.
Just before the meeting begins, an assistant will ask if you like your bottle of water room temperature or chilled. A friend of mine says he always messes this part up and asks for: “A little bit of both.”
I suggest preparing. If you have sensitive teeth, as I do, room temperature is best.
Once the meeting begins, the agents will greet the executives and the executives will greet the agents and then everything will get very quiet as people sit down, exhale, and stare at you. There’s a lot of performing involved in pitching. The goal is to get people really excited about your idea – which is the exact opposite of what I’m good at. If only it was about finding reasons why something won't work.
If the aim is to pitch a TV show that someone's interested in, I can't help. But here are some tips on what not to say:
1. I can’t really explain it, but trust me, it’s funny.
2. Does everything always have to be successful?
3. After watching this show, people will feel miserable.
4. I heard you passed on CSI
5. People say I’m difficult to work with but I don’t think I am.
6. You look so much like my nana
7.. Before I tell you my idea, let’s talk about Burma
8.. Is it true you’re the person who tried to kill Seinfeld?
9. There’s nothing sexy about this show.
10. I think we might have the same psychopharmacologist!
no-one has commented on your last few blogs - i feel bad for you, i get more comments on my myspace and i only have 2 friends and one of them doesnt like me and the other one thinks i have money. anyway keep up the good work etc. i enjoy reading them.
Posted by: fna | 7 Oct 2007 21:49:32
i enjoyed a lot having read your new .. not do do list... which is very alike a nowaday decalogue .
Posted by: bendis | 8 Oct 2007 18:35:05
But despite the faux pas, did it get picked up?
And what's the odds that Stephen Fry would be able to get away with every single one of these and still get it picked up?
Posted by: Phil Atkin | 19 Oct 2007 14:12:26
looooooooved it! hope it's coming to my television
soon...
Posted by: joanna patton | 5 Dec 2007 16:44:58
Funny post. How do you get to the point of actually pitching a show, if you aren't in the business?
Posted by: Jensen | 2 Jan 2008 19:23:53