US TV

In the US: Thursdays, 9.30/8.30c, NBC. Starts January 10

In US TV, there’s the thing called ‘development’. It’s when someone comes to a TV network with an idea for a show, except it doesn’t quite work. So the idea goes into development so that the problems can be solved, ideally before it goes into production.

Of course, even then, it’s not too late for the show to change. Take The West Wing. Originally, the president wasn’t going to show up at all – he would only ever be talked about, but would never appear. But come the pilot episode, the President needed to appear, the producers cast Martin Sheen and the rest is history.

But sometimes, despite all these safety valves, one big, looming, giant black hole of a problem can’t be removed, usually as a result of politics, sometimes because it’s one of the executive producers or it’s even the person who came up with the idea for the TV show in the first place.

To preserve some air of mystery and suspense, I’ll let you guess what the problem is with 1600 Penn – a sort of West Wing meets Modern Family set in the White House – that couldn’t be removed before it aired. I’ll give you a clue: have a look at the cast photo.

Here’s a trailer if you need any more clues:

Continue reading “Preview: 1600 Penn 1×1 (NBC)”