The rules of a show are simply the things that are allowed to happen in the world of that show.  Show rules range from what’s acceptable for character behaviour, locations, tone, pace, structure, story lines, point of view (POV), or themes.  When you’re writing a TV spec script for an existing series, you have to know the rules and stick to them.

Let’s say you wanted to write a spec script for Glee.  Some of the rules of that show would be:

• every episode features some conflict between Sue Sylvester and Mr. Shuester
• there’s a build to the big musical number at the end
• the entire episode is shot indoors on set

There are a lot more than just these three, but you get the idea.  So if you were to write a Glee spec, you wouldn’t have a scene that took place outside, you wouldn’t neglect the big musical number at the end and you wouldn’t leave out the tension between the two teachers.

Some Parks and Recreation rules are:

• one-minute teaser/cold-opening setting up the main A story
• has two story lines: one following Leslie, the other usually following Andy
• every episode revolves around some real or perceived threat to Leslie
• scenes are short, quick cuts between the two stories
• the characters talk or look at the camera to express their true feelings

Rules also apply to what does not happen in an episode.  You wouldn’t write a Parks & Rec spec featuring paranormal activity unless it was a Halloween spoof on the movie.  An episode of Glee would never take place in 1654 Russia.

You can play around with the rules, but you must respect them.  Your script must read like a real episode of the show.  If you bend the rules, it must be legitimate and explained within the rules of the show.  Like the Halloween Parks & Rec example above, any ‘paranormal activity’ in the episode would have to be explained.  Perhaps it was staged by one of the people in the office like Tom or Leslie.

Understanding show rules might seem simple, but it can get quite complex.  Some shows adhere to their rules more rigidly than others.  Sitcoms tend to have a strict formula of when the jokes hit.  Two and a Half Men is a half hour of nothing but set-up, punch line.

When learning the rules of a new show you want to spec, watch as many episodes of the show as possible.  Write everything down.  The more details you make note of, the better.  Some details may turn out not to be a rule, others may seem like rules but really aren’t.  After a while, you’ll come to know the difference.  It’s easy to get lazy and just skim the surface, but the difference lies in the details.

For more information on what to look for on show rules take a look at my article on How to Write a TV Spec Script.

Have some show rules you want to share?  Drop it in the reply box!