Television program creators

A television program creator is typically the person who pitches a new TV show idea and sees it through. There are numerous notable television program creators; this article includes a list of many of them.

Often, the creator is the writer of the pilot episode, or a director, or a producer. Sometimes it is a writer of the series' "bible", or writers' guidelines.^[1] 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.^[2] The Producers Guild of America's corresponding code for producers defines "Executive Producer" and similar roles but not an explicit "Creator" role.^[3][4]

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.^[5] 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.^[6] 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.^[7] 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.^[8]

Examples

Notable examples of creators include:

• Paul Abbott, creator of Shameless, and also responsible for the creation of Reckless and Touching Evil for ITV and Clocking Off and State of Play for the BBC.^[9][10]
• J. J. Abrams, co-creator of Felicity (1998–2002), creator of Alias (2001–2006), co-creator of Lost (2004–2010), Fringe (2008–2013), Undercovers (2010)
• Britt Allcroft, a British television producer, writer and director who is the creator of 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);^[11] Gerry Anderson is also creator of Supercar (1961–62)^[12]
• Meredith Averill, creator and executive producer of The CW science fiction teen drama Star-Crossed.^[13]
• Jenna Bans, creator of Off the Map^[14]
• Donald P. Bellisario, co-creator of Magnum, P.I., creator of Airwolf, creator of Quantum Leap, creator of JAG, co-creator of NCIS.
• Rick Berman, co-creator with Maurice Hurley of Star Trek: The Next Generation.,^[15] co-creator of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with Michael Piller,^[16] co-creator of Star Trek: Voyager with Piller and Jeri Taylor, co-creator of Enterprise (retitled Star Trek: Enterprise in 2003) with Brannon Braga.^[17]
• Loren Bouchard, co-creator of Home Movies (with Brendon Small), and creator of Bob's Burgers and Lucy: The Daughter of the Devil.
• Ian Brennan, co-creator with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk of Glee
• Jamie Brittain, co-creator with Bryan Elsley of British teen drama Skins (2007–2013)^[18]
• Johnny Byrne, creator of Heartbeat and of Noah's Ark (1997–98)
• Stephen J. Cannell, co-creator of the The Rockford Files, creator of Baretta, creator of The Greatest American Hero, co-creator of The A-Team, co-creator of Hardcastle and McCormick, creator of Stingray, co-creator of Wiseguy, co-creator of 21 Jump Street, creator of Silk Stalkings, co-creator of The Commish, created Renegade.
• David Crane, co-creator of Friends (with Marta Kauffman), co-creator with Jeffrey Klarik of The Class,^[19] co-creator with Klarik created of Episodes for the BBC.^[20][21]
• Bryan Elsley, creator of Dates (2013–)^[22] and co-creator with Jamie Brittain of British teen drama Skins (2007–2013)^[18]
• Terrance Dicks, co-creator of BBC science-fiction TV series Moonbase 3 (1973)
• Brad Falchuk, co-creator with Murphy of American Horror Story,^[23] co-creator with Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy of Glee
• Phil Ford, co-creator with Russell T Davies of Wizards vs Aliens
• Bruce Geller, creator of the television series Mission: Impossible (1966–73)
• David Greenwalt, co-creator of Angel, co-creator of Profit, and co-creator of NBC drama Grimm
• Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons^[24]
• Susan Harris, creator of Soap, Benson, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Nurses and The Golden Palace.
• Mindy Kaling, creator of FOX sitcom The Mindy Project
• David E. Kelley, creator of Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal, and Harry's Law
• Jeffrey Klarik, co-creator of Episodes, co-creator with David Crane of The Class.^[25]
• Chris Kratt and Martin Kratt, co-creators of children's TV series Kratts' Creatures, Zoboomafoo, Be the Creature, and Wild Kratts
• Glen A. Larson, creator of The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, creator of Battlestar Galactica, co-creator of B. J. and the Bear, creator of Galactica 1980, co-creator of Magnum, P.I., creator of The Fall Guy, creator of Knight Rider, creator of Automan.
• Roberta Leigh, creator of puppet TV series Sara and Hoppity, Torchy the Battery Boy, Wonder Boy and Tiger and Send for Dithers, and creator of Space Patrol, (US title: Planet Patrol )^[26]
• Steven Levitan, co-creator with Christopher Lloyd of Modern Family^[27]
• Christopher Lloyd, co-creator with Steven Levitan of Modern Family^[27]
• Patrick McGoohan, creator^[28] or co-creator^[29] 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-creator of Glee (with Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk) and co-creator of American Horror Story^[23]
• Sydney Newman, creator of The Avengers^[30] and of Dr. Who^[31]
• Jonathan Nolan, creator of Person of Interest
• Michael Piller, co-creator of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and of Star Trek: Voyager
• Paul Reiser, co-creator of Mad About You (1992–99)
• Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal
• Sol Saks, most known as creator of Bewitched (1964–72)^[32]
• Sidney Sheldon, creator of The Patty Duke Show (1963–66), I Dream of Jeannie (1965–70) and Hart to Hart (1979–84)
• Joss Whedon, creator of 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–present).^[33]
• Tom Wheeler, creator of The Cape (2011)^[34]
• Toby Whithouse, creator of Being Human^[35]
• Dick Wolf, creator of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Trial by Jury and Law & Order: Los Angeles Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: UK.,^[36] and creator of Crime & Punishment
• Justin Zackham, creator of FX drama series Lights Out
• Anthony E. Zuiker, creator of the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation franchise of several TV series,^[37]

See also

• Screenwriter
• Showrunner
• Television director
• Television producer

References

1. donedealpro.com messageboard thread
2. "Determining Separated Rights on a Television Series". Writers Guild of America.
3. "Code of Credits – Television Series – Non-Fiction".
4. "Code of Credits – Television Series – Comedy/Drama".
5. 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)
6. "Standard Deal Points When Selling Your Television Projects". TV Writers Vault. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
7. Dina Appleton. "The Ins and Outs of TV Series Writer Deals".
8. C. Edwards (September 20, 2013). "Live-Action TV Director Sues "Johnny Test" Producer For Creator Credit". CartoonBrew.Com.
9. British Film Institute screenonline database. Accessed 22 October 2007.
10. "Estate of Play", The Guardian, 12 July 2008. Accessed 14 July 2008.
11. "Thunderbirds". IMDB.
12. "Supercar (TV series)". IMDB.
13. Wiegand, David (February 16, 2014). "Star-Crossed so dopey, teens might not even like it". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
14. "Off the Map (TV series)". IMDB.
15. Nemeck, Larry (2003). Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion. Pocket Books. ISBN 0-7434-5798-6.
16. Erdmann, Terry J.; Block, Paula M. (2000-08-01). Deep Space Nine Companion. ISBN 978-0-671-50106-8.
17. "Dispatch: Berman Celebrates Milestone". 2000-05-22. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
18. "Skins". IMDB.
19. "Exclusive Interview: David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, Creators of The Class". BuddyTV.com. November 2, 2006. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
20. "Biggest Sunday Ever on Showtime! Shameless, Episodes & Californication to Premiere January 9th". FutonCritic.com. Showtime press release. September 22, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
21. "Press Packs: Episodes". BBC. December 17, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
22. "Dates". IMDB.
23. Denise Martin (2012-05-22). "Ryan Murphy Dissects Glee and American Horror Story, Addresses Fans and Critics".
24. "The Simpsons". IMDB.
25. Werts, Diane (September 18, 2006). "'The Class' gets an A for effort". Newsday. Retrieved October 18, 2007{{inconsistent citations}}
26. International Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0164289/fullcredits#cast
27. "Modern Family". IMDB.
28. ""Prisoner" Star Patrick McGoohan Dies". CBS News. January 14, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
29. "The Prisoner". IMDB.
30. Note Sydney Newman apparently never received screen credit as the creator of The Avengers.
31. "Doctor Who (1963–1989)". IMDB.
32. "Bewitched". IMDB.
33. Andreeva, Nellie. "ABC Greenlights ‘S.H.I.E.L.D’ Marvel Pilot, Joss Whedon To Co-Write & Possibly Direct". August 28, 2012. deadline.com. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
34. Kelly West (2010-12-18). "Interview: NBC's The Cape Creator Tom Wheeler".
35. "Being Human". IMDB.
36. Weiner, Allison Hope (May 23, 2005). "Case Closed". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
37. Bill Carter (August 11, 2003). "From Creator of 'C.S.I.,' Testimonials to Himself". New York Times.