I’m really getting sick and tired of the term “Showrunner.” Here is the literal dictionary meaning of showrunner: the person who has overall creative authority and management responsibility for a television program. the vision of the show as a whole does not come from the freelance or even the staff writer, but from the showrunner. Now let’s go over what the role means in Hollywood which is essentially an amplification of this.
In the parlance of the Hollywood television industry, a showrunner is a television series’ executive producer who is also the head writer. A showrunner’s duties often combine those traditionally assigned to the head writer, executive producer, and script editor.
I take issue with the word itself. It’s just annoying. Executive producer is way cooler and more professional sounding. Here’s what I think a showrunner should be. A showrunner should be the equivalent to a “press secretary.” Shows should hire a person who is the 100% publicity person. This is the one who knows every single thing there is to know about the show but also has the incredible ability to entertain, humor, and get people excited about every facet of the show.
Sure, publicists and marketing people do this but do any shows have ONE lead person who do this? THAT, my friends, is what a showrunner should be. Just thought I’d throw that out there.
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