Television show creator
{{Short description|Person who makes radio or television programs}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
A television show creator or television program creator is the person who developed a significant part of a TV show's format, concept, characters, and pilot script. They have sequel rights to the material as well.
Often, the creator is also the showrunner or a producer. Sometimes it is a writer of the series bible, or writers' guidelines.[http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/showthread.php?t=48311 donedealpro.com messageboard thread]{{unreliable source?|date=June 2014}} In the United States, a Writers Guild of America (WGA) screenwriting credit system governs credits. For example, the Writers Guild of America West provides specifications for creator credits that govern its members.{{cite web|url=http://www.wga.org/subpage_writersresources.aspx?id=122 |title=Determining Separated Rights on a Television Series |publisher=Writers Guild of America}} The Producers Guild of America's corresponding code for producers defines "Executive Producer" and similar roles but not an explicit "Creator" role.{{cite web|url=http://www.producersguild.org/?page=coc_ts_3 |title=Code of Credits – Television Series – Non-Fiction}}{{cite web | url=http://www.producersguild.org/?coc_ts_2 |title=Code of Credits – Television Series – Comedy/Drama}}{{failed verification|reason=You can't establish a negative by showing a couple sources that don't mention "creator"|date=June 2014}}
Creator is a specific credit given explicitly in many shows. However, it has not always been a prominent, explicit credit. For example, Sydney Newman, the accepted creator of The Avengers (1961–69), was never given an explicit credit as creator; Newman never thought to ask for one.In Newman's memoir, The Avengers and Me, Patrick Macnee interviewed Newman about his never receiving on-screen credit as creator of the series. Newman explained that he never sought on-screen credit on the series because during his previous tenure at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, such credits were not given, and he never thought to get one for The Avengers. Per: Patrick Macnee and Dave Rogers, The Avengers and Me (TV Books, 1998, {{ISBN|1575000598}}); republished in 2008 as The Avengers: The Inside Story (Titan Books, {{ISBN|1845766431}}) The creator of a television show may retain rights to participate in profits, often to be paid by the production company as a percentage of fees that it receives from networks and distributors.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvwritersvault.com/writerres/StandardDeals.asp |title=Standard Deal Points When Selling Your Television Projects |publisher=TV Writers Vault |accessdate=February 2, 2014}} In 2014, for prime-time network TV shows, the WGA-required royalty to be paid to a writer with "created by" credit is approximately $1,000 per episode or higher.{{cite web|url=http://www.writersstore.com/the-ins-and-outs-of-tv-series-writer-deals/ |title=The Ins and Outs of TV Series Writer Deals |author=Dina Appleton}}
Who merits creator credit is sometimes a matter of contention. In a 2013 legal case, a director sued a former writing partner for co-creator credit.{{cite web| title=Live-Action TV Director Sues "Johnny Test" Producer For Creator Credit |author=C. Edwards |date=September 20, 2013 |url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/live-action-tv-director-sues-johnny-test-producer-for-creator-credit-88796.html |publisher=CartoonBrew.Com}}
Examples
Notable examples of creators include:
- Natasha Allegri, created the web series Bee and Puppycat turned into a TV series on Netflix.[https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/2020/10/6/21504068/bee-and-puppycat-season-2-netflix-release Talking to the Top Female Filmmaker on Kickstarter, Bee and PuppyCat's Natasha Allegri],Vulture, November 6, 2014. Accessed November 24, 2021.[https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/2020/10/6/21504068/bee-and-puppycat-season-2-netflix-release Cult-favorite cartoon Bee and Puppycat finds a home at Netflix for season 2], Polygon, October 6, 2020. Accessed November 24, 2021.
- Paul Abbott, created Shameless, and is also responsible for the creation of Reckless and Touching Evil for ITV, as well as Clocking Off and State of Play for the BBC.[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/970032/index.html British Film Institute screenonline database]. Accessed October 22, 2007.[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jul/12/television "Estate of Play"], The Guardian, July 12, 2008. Accessed July 14, 2008.
- J. J. Abrams, co-created Felicity (1998–2002), created Alias (2001–2006), co-created Lost (2004–2010), Fringe (2008–2013), Undercovers (2010)
- Britt Allcroft created the children's television series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (later re-titled Thomas & Friends), Shining Time Station (with Rick Siggelkow) and Magic Adventures of Mumfie
- Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson, co-creators of Thunderbirds (1965–66);{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057790/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2 |title=Thunderbirds |publisher=IMDb}} Gerry Anderson also created Supercar (1961–62){{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054567/ |title=Supercar (TV series)|publisher=IMDb}}
- Danny Antonucci, created The Brothers Grunt, Cartoon Sushi, and Ed, Edd n Eddy
- Meredith Averill, creator and executive producer of The CW science fiction teen drama Star-Crossed.{{cite news|url=http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20140216/LIFESTYLES04/140219488#.UxOPUvR4Ebk|title=Star-Crossed so dopey, teens might not even like it|last=Wiegand|first=David|date=February 16, 2014|work=Observer-Reporter|accessdate=March 2, 2014}}
- Craig Bartlett, created Hey Arnold!, Dinosaur Train and Ready Jet Go!.
- Ben Bocquelet, created The Amazing World of Gumball.
- Donald P. Bellisario, co-created Magnum, P.I., created Airwolf, created Quantum Leap, created JAG, co-created NCIS.
- Maxwell Atoms, created Grim & Evil, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and Evil Con Carne.
- Rick Berman, co-created Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with Michael Piller,{{cite book|title= Deep Space Nine Companion|first1=Terry J.|last1=Erdmann|last2=Block| first2=Paula M.|date=August 1, 2000|publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-671-50106-8}} co-created Star Trek: Voyager with Piller and Jeri Taylor, co-created Enterprise (retitled Star Trek: Enterprise in 2003) with Brannon Braga.{{cite web|url=http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/111735.html|title=Dispatch: Berman Celebrates Milestone|date=May 22, 2000|accessdate=April 11, 2009}}
- Loren Bouchard, co-created Home Movies (with Brendon Small), and created Bob's Burgers and Lucy: The Daughter of the Devil and co-created Central Park
- Ian Brennan, co-creator with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk of Glee
- Marc Brown, created TV series Arthur
- Jamie Brittain, co-creator with Bryan Elsley of British teen drama Skins (2007–2013)
- Johnny Byrne, created Heartbeat and Noah's Ark (1997–98)
- Stephen J. Cannell, co-created The Rockford Files, created Baretta, created The Greatest American Hero, co-created The A-Team, co-created Hardcastle and McCormick, created Stingray, co-created Wiseguy, co-created 21 Jump Street, created Silk Stalkings, co-created The Commish, created Renegade.
- Gábor Csupó, created Rugrats, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Santo Bugito, The Wild Thornberrys, Rocket Power, All Grown Up!, and Rugrats Pre-School Daze.
- Michael Schur, co-created Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, created The Good Place.
- Mitch Schauer, created The Angry Beavers.
- David Crane, co-created Friends (with Marta Kauffman), co-created The Class with Jeffrey Klarik,{{Cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-class/exclusive-interview-david-crane-and-jeffrey-klarik-creators-of-the-class-2292.aspx |title=Exclusive Interview: David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, Creators of The Class |work=BuddyTV.com |date=November 2, 2006 |accessdate=January 26, 2011}} and co-created Episodes for the BBC.{{Cite web |url=http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/09/22/biggest-sunday-ever-on-showtime-shameless-episodes-and-californication-to-premiere-january-9th-37549/20100922showtime02/ |title=Biggest Sunday Ever on Showtime! Shameless, Episodes & Californication to Premiere January 9th |work=FutonCritic.com |publisher=Showtime press release |date=September 22, 2010 |accessdate=January 26, 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/12_december/17/episodes.shtml |title=Press Packs: Episodes |publisher=BBC |date=December 17, 2010 |accessdate=January 26, 2011}}
- Keith Chapman, created Bob the Builder, Fifi and the Flowertots, and Paw Patrol.
- Greg Daniels, co-created King of the Hill, developed The Office, co-created Parks and Recreation, created Upload, and co-created Space Force.
- John A. Davis, created The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
- Terrance Dicks, co-created the BBC science-fiction TV series Moonbase 3 (1973)
- C. H. Greenblatt, created Chowder, Harvey Beaks, and Jellystone!.
- John R. Dilworth, created Courage the Cowardly Dog
- David Feiss, created Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel and YooHoo & Friends.
- Bryan Elsley, created Dates (2013–){{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2964118/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_2 |title=Dates |publisher=IMDb}} and co-created the British teen drama Skins (2007–2013) with Jamie Brittain{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840196/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_1 |title=Skins | publisher=IMDb}}
- Brad Falchuk, co-creator with Murphy of American Horror Story,{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/05/ryan-murphy-dissects-american-horror-story.html |date=May 22, 2012 |title=Ryan Murphy Dissects Glee and American Horror Story, Addresses Fans and Critics |author=Denise Martin}} co-creator with Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy of Glee
- Phil Ford, co-creator with Russell T Davies of Wizards vs Aliens
- C. H. Greenblatt, created Chowder, Harvey Beaks, and Jellystone!.
- Jorge Gutierrez, created El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera and Maya and the Three.
- Bruce Geller, created the television series Mission: Impossible (1966–73)
- Chris Gifford, created Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go! and Dora and Friends: Into the City
- Vince Gilligan, created Breaking Bad and co-created Better Call Saul
- Bryan Elsley, created Dates (2013–){{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2964118/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_2 |title=Dates |publisher=IMDb}} and co-created the British teen drama Skins (2007–2013) with Jamie Brittain{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840196/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_1 |title=Skins | publisher=IMDb}}
- David Greenwalt, co-created Angel, co-created Profit, and co-created NBC drama Grimm
- David E. Kelley, created Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal, and Harry's Law
- Matt Groening, created The Simpsons,{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096697/?ref_=nv_sr_1 |title=The Simpsons |publisher=IMDb}} Futurama and Disenchantment.
- Stephen Hillenburg, created SpongeBob SquarePants.
- Susan Harris, created Soap, Benson, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Nurses and The Golden Palace.
- Chris Kratt and Martin Kratt, co-created the children's TV series Kratts' Creatures, Zoboomafoo, Be the Creature, and Wild Kratts
- Jeffrey Klarik, co-created Episodes and co-created The Class with David Crane{{Cite news |title='The Class' gets an A for effort |first=Diane |last=Werts |periodical=Newsday |url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/ny-etclass4896552sep18,0,1042990.story?coll=ny-television-headlines |date=September 18, 2006 |accessdate=October 18, 2007 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126121504/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/ny-etclass4896552sep18,0,1042990.story?coll=ny-television-headlines |archive-date=November 26, 2006 }}
- Glen A. Larson, created The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, created Battlestar Galactica, co-created B. J. and the Bear, created Galactica 1980, co-created Magnum, P.I., created The Fall Guy, created Knight Rider, created Automan.
- Norman Lear, created All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, Maude and Good Times
- Butch Hartman, created The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy, Bunsen Is a Beast
- Mike Judge, created Beavis and Butt-Head, and co-created King of the Hill, The Goode Family, Silicon Valley, and Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus
- Emily Kapnek, created As Told by Ginger, Suburgatory, and Selfie
- Roberta Leigh, created puppet TV series Sara and Hoppity, Torchy the Battery Boy, Wonder Boy and Tiger and Send for Dithers, as well as created Space Patrol, (American title: Planet Patrol)Internet Movie Database: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0164289/fullcredits#cast
- Steven Levitan, co-creator with Christopher Lloyd of Modern Family{{cite web|title=Modern Family |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442437/ |publisher=IMDb}}
- Christopher Lloyd, co-creator with Steven Levitan of Modern Family
- Craig McCracken, created The Powerpuff Girls, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Wander Over Yonder, Kid Cosmic
- Patrick McGoohan, creator{{cite news |date=January 14, 2009 |title="Prisoner" Star Patrick McGoohan Dies |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/prisoner-star-patrick-mcgoohan-dies/ |access-date=January 15, 2009}} or co-creator{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061287/ |title=The Prisoner|publisher=IMDb}} of The Prisoner
- Carol Mendelsohn, co-creator and executive producer of CSI: Miami and CSI: NY
- Lorne Michaels, best known for creating and producing Saturday Night Live
- Ryan Murphy, co-created Glee (with Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk) and co-created American Horror Story
- Joe Murray, created Rocko's Modern Life, Camp Lazlo, Let's Go Luna
- Mic Neumann created Kung Faux
- Sydney Newman, created The AvengersNote Sydney Newman apparently never received screen credit as the created The Avengers. and Doctor Who{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056751/?ref_=nmbio_trv_1 |title=Doctor Who (1963–1989) |publisher=IMDb}}
- Jonathan Nolan, created Person of Interest
- Steve Oedekerk, created Back at the Barnyard and co-created Planet Sheen
- Van Partible, created Johnny Bravo.
- Michael Piller, co-created Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and of Star Trek: Voyager
- J. G. Quintel, created Regular Show and Close Enough
- Paul Reiser, co-created Mad About You (1992–99)
- Rob Renzetti, created My Life as a Teenage Robot
- Shonda Rhimes, created Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal
- Sol Saks, most known as created Bewitched (1964–72){{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057733/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk1 |title=Bewitched |publisher=IMDb}}
- Chris Savino, created The Loud House.
- Adi Shankar, created The Guardians of Justice.
- Sidney Sheldon, created The Patty Duke Show (1963–66), I Dream of Jeannie (1965–70) and Hart to Hart (1979–84)
- Mr. Warburton, created Codename: Kids Next Door.
- Jhonen Vasquez, created Invader Zim
- Genndy Tartakovsky, created Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack, developed Star Wars: Clone Wars, co-created Sym-Bionic Titan and created Primal
- Pendleton Ward, created Adventure Time, Bravest Warriors and The Midnight Gospel.
- Alex Hirsch, created Gravity Falls
- D. B. Weiss and David Benioff, co-created Game of Thrones (2011)
- Joss Whedon, created Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003), Angel (1999–2004), Firefly (2002–03), Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008), Dollhouse (2009–10) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020).{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=ABC Greenlights 'S.H.I.E.L.D' Marvel Pilot, Joss Whedon To Co-Write & Possibly Direct|url=https://deadline.com/2012/08/abc-greenlights-s-h-i-e-l-d-marvel-pilot-joss-whedon-to-co-write-possibly-direct-326179/|work=August 28, 2012|date=August 29, 2012 |publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 5, 2014}}
- Tom Wheeler, created The Cape (2011){{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Interview-NBC-Cape-Creator-Tom-Wheeler-28899.html |title=Interview: NBC's The Cape Creator Tom Wheeler |author=Kelly West |date=December 18, 2010}}
- Toby Whithouse, created Being Human{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1349938/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_2 |title=Being Human |publisher=IMDb}}
- Dick Wolf, created Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, Law & Order: LA, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: UK.,{{cite magazine|last=Weiner|first=Allison Hope|title=Case Closed|url=https://ew.com/article/2005/05/23/trial-jury-cancelled-after-season/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 15, 2010|date=May 23, 2005}} and created Crime & Punishment
- Justin Zackham, created FX drama series Lights Out
- Anthony E. Zuiker, created the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation franchise of several TV series,{{cite news|title=From Creator of 'C.S.I.,' Testimonials to Himself |author=Bill Carter |date=August 11, 2003 |work=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/11/business/from-creator-of-csi-testimonials-to-himself.html?pagewanted=1}}