by Cameron Pattison · Showrunner · 1,295 pts
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I would take out "world-class geeks" because the fact they were already targeted by a "Queen Bee" gives that pictuure.
I'm unclear as to what the goal is. They unite some people ... then what? What am I watching? Am I watching some gruesome horror film about a schoolful of kids torturing the cool kids? Am I watching "Drive Me Crazy", and the bit where they broadcast video of the "in" kids behaving badly so everyone can see how broken they are? What is the goal? What are the stakes of failure?
The premise is another episode in the perennial adolescent class war between the Ins and the Outs. Hence, the working title "Outskirts", I presume. It's antecedents go back to at least "The Revenge of the Nerds" (1984). What's changed is the setting (high school rather than college) and the sex of the principals.
The situation of the Outs has universal appeal. And there are so many familiar social situations, school events to chose from in plotting revenge. So what is the unique hook to this story? What is the specific objective goal, the plan (means) to achieve the desired subjective goal (revenge)?
The premise is another episode in the perennial adolescent class war between the Ins and the Outs. Hence, the working title "Outskirts", I presume. It's antecedents go back to at least "The Revenge of the Nerds" (1984). What's changed is the setting (high school rather than college) and the sex of the principals.
The situation of the Outs has universal appeal. And there are so many familiar social situations, school events to chose from in plotting revenge. So what is the unique hook to this story? What is the specific objective goal, the plan (means) to achieve the desired subjective goal (revenge)?
I'm fine with geek, but I think making them "world-class" shrinks the perceived challenge faced by the protagonists, making it seem like there's less conflict.
dpg, in the case of "The Big Bang Theory", both the writing and the acting are brilliant - second to none. It's not clear to me that it would have succeeded if both were mediocre, especially amongst the general TV audience. Granted that most of the show's viewers do not truly get all the fine points of science, sci fi, comic books, etc, that are so finely satirised. But, even so, I submit that the unique combination of great writing and great acting is what enables even a 'beef jerky eater' to appreciate the show. I have genuine doubts that - fundamentally - the set up of a bunch of geeks failing to get girls and get the world of 'normals' would make for a lasting show, season on season, in lesser hands. For example, Australian.
