Competition

In my post 'Lessons from Lone Star,' I pointed out that the main problem with the show was its unsympathetic, if good-looking, hero. In USA Today last week, (after my post) TV writer Gary Levin agreed that Lone Star's "con-man concept was a hard sell." Fox marketing chief Joe Earley is quoted saying "viewers may have found that a turnoff." I'm sorry the show failed, but glad to hear Fox agrees with me.

Levin also cited the show's tough time slot, 9:00 PM on Mondays, as another factor. The show was scheduled against ABC's Dancing With the Stars and CBS' Two and a Half Men, two of the most popular shows on broadcast television. Both shows have long-time fans that make appointments to see those shows.

Competition for eyeballs is something programming executives need to keep in mind, but something creators need to forget while developing their content. You need to focus on making your content as compelling as possible. Don't worry about anything else on television or being developed. Make your show so good that your competition will avoid you.

Remember the top shows are #1 until someone knocks them off. Two and a Half Men is the top-rated sitcom now, but some day another show will come along that will be more popular. That may be your project. Just appeal to more people, and you will have higher ratings. Since it takes time to develop shows, you never know what show will be popular when yours is ready to premiere. Don't worry about the competition. Make them worry about you.