BLUNT: Suddenly, the fashion in TV titles is to name new shows after bad behavior. (
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Have you been mixing up your shows these days?
If someone asks you about last night’s “Revenge,” do you struggle because you initially thought of “Scandal”?
It’s easy to do, since “Scandal” can easily involve “Revenge” — and probably some deception, too.
Oh, but if you’re thinking of “Deception,” well, that’s also the name of a prime-time show.
Your mind isn’t playing tricks on you — series names today are following marked trends.
The thought process involved in naming a show is a bit of a mystery, but the right or wrong name can mean series life or death.
When names are good, they roll off the tongue and differentiate themselves from everything and everyone else. Puns and double-entendres like “Mad Men” and “Shark Tank” work.
But names that are too long, or too awkward, make watercooler conversation tough.
“Did you see what happened on ‘Don’t Trust the . . .’ oh, I give up. Did you see ‘Girls’?”
Below are a few show-naming trends we’ve spotted — and what the network execs behind them may be thinking:
* Trend: Horrible behavior, summed up in one word.
Examples: “Deception” (NBC), “Scandal” (ABC), “Revenge” (ABC).
Producers think: People really want to watch morally bereft people being bad — so why not make the show entirely about that behavior? The name needs to reflect that.
You think: Which is the one about destroying other people’s lives? Wait — all of them?
* Trend: Diaries
Examples: “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Carrie Diaries” (both on The CW).
Producers think: Teens are our demographic, and the diary is a romantic teen reflection of days gone by.
You think: There’s nothing quite like watching people act out the events contained in an imaginary diary — especially when the diarists are vampires and future sex columnists.
* Trend: City names
Examples: “Vegas” (CBS), “Nashville” (ABC), “Dallas” (TNT), “Portlandia” (IFC), “Chicago Fire” (NBC), “Cougar Town” (TBS).
Producers think: We’ll exploit all the worst stereotypes about these cities — and we’re just too lazy to think up anything catchier.
You think: I was at the airport in Dallas once.
* Trend: “The + something having to do with your head’”
Examples: “The Taste” (ABC), “The Chew” (ABC), “The Voice” (NBC), “The View” (ABC).
Producers think: This show will be about the best, so we will put a “the” before it.
You think: “The Chew” is evocative in the worst possible way.