A Network Executive Writes a Sitcom
The New Yorker|June 12, 2023
Shouts & Murmurs
By Teddy Wayne
A Network Executive Writes a Sitcom

“We have been planning for this,” [Paramount C.E.O. Bob Bakish] told Wall Street analysts . . . speaking to the WGA strike. . . . “We do have many levers to pull.”

—Deadline, May 4th.

“Tipplers”: a situation-comedy teleplay for the 18-34 demographic.

INT. SALOON — NIGHT

The neighborhood watering hole is populated by blue-collar denizens of an untapped metropolitan market (one background extra is Black). In walks FRANKLIN (portly, salt of the earth, non-SAG).

FRANKLIN: Do not even converse with me until I have consumed my first mug of beer.

Laughter from audience—they expect this kind of “ ’tude” from FRANKLIN.

He sits before the barkeep, CHARLES (handsome, magnetic; I could play him for scale), who wipes alcoholic-beverage mugs.

CHARLES: Aren’t things better down at your municipal workplace?

FRANKLIN: Yes, ever since we voted to dissolve our corrupt union. The problem, you see, is my battle-axe— excuse me, my wife. (Audience laughter of recognition) Because tonight is our anniversary, she forbad me from watching the big game with my drinking chums!

CHARLES: Then how are you here? For the ballplayers are about to take their positions!

Esta historia es de la edición June 12, 2023 de The New Yorker.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June 12, 2023 de The New Yorker.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE NEW YORKERVer todo
YULE RULES
The New Yorker

YULE RULES

“Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point.”

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 18, 2024
COLLISION COURSE
The New Yorker

COLLISION COURSE

In Devika Rege’ first novel, India enters a troubling new era.

time-read
8 minutos  |
November 18, 2024
NEW CHAPTER
The New Yorker

NEW CHAPTER

Is the twentieth-century novel a genre unto itself?

time-read
10+ minutos  |
November 18, 2024
STUCK ON YOU
The New Yorker

STUCK ON YOU

Pain and pleasure at a tattoo convention.

time-read
10+ minutos  |
November 18, 2024
HEAVY SNOW HAN KANG
The New Yorker

HEAVY SNOW HAN KANG

Kyungha-ya. That was the entirety of Inseon’s message: my name.

time-read
10+ minutos  |
November 18, 2024
REPRISE
The New Yorker

REPRISE

Reckoning with Donald Trump's return to power.

time-read
10 minutos  |
November 18, 2024
WHAT'S YOUR PARENTING-FAILURE STYLE?
The New Yorker

WHAT'S YOUR PARENTING-FAILURE STYLE?

Whether you’re horrifying your teen with nauseating sex-ed analogies or watching TikToks while your toddler eats a bagel from the subway floor, face it: you’re flailing in the vast chasm of your child’s relentless needs.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 18, 2024
COLOR INSTINCT
The New Yorker

COLOR INSTINCT

Jadé Fadojutimi, a British painter, sees the world through a prism.

time-read
10+ minutos  |
November 18, 2024
THE FAMILY PLAN
The New Yorker

THE FAMILY PLAN

The pro-life movement’ new playbook.

time-read
10+ minutos  |
November 18, 2024
President for Sale - A survey of today's political ads.
The New Yorker

President for Sale - A survey of today's political ads.

On a mid-October Sunday not long ago sun high, wind cool-I was in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for a book festival, and I took a stroll. There were few people on the streets-like the population of a lot of capital cities, Harrisburg's swells on weekdays with lawyers and lobbyists and legislative staffers, and dwindles on the weekends. But, on the façades of small businesses and in the doorways of private homes, I could see evidence of political activity. Across from the sparkling Susquehanna River, there was a row of Democratic lawn signs: Malcolm Kenyatta for auditor general, Bob Casey for U.S. Senate, and, most important, in white letters atop a periwinkle not unlike that of the sky, Kamala Harris for President.

time-read
8 minutos  |
November 11, 2024