I would suppose that you would spec something more character based. Though I'm trying to think of anything on the air now that isn't a procedural but isn't highly serialized, and that people would be familiar with, and I'm coming up short. (Yes, I watch a lot of procedurals.) Maybe a Deadwood?
ETA: I know people have specced DH, Lost and 24. I just don't know of anyone who's had much success doing it.
EATA: Or, you know, just write the one-hour I Love Lucy...in which Lucy has an abortion...and it lives.
Do you have to write spec scripts for scripted shows, seeing as how the script itself isn't generally intended to be shot? From the description I'm wondering if writing out a fictional Worst Day Ever for The Amazing Race contestants might not get something of the necessary feel.
Matt, do you subscribe to Jane Espenson's blog through your live journal (or otherwise). She's been talking a lot about spec scripts.
Website with blog: [link]
User info page for the feed to LJ: [link]
Do you have to write spec scripts for scripted shows, seeing as how the script itself isn't generally intended to be shot?
Generally speaking, yes. (Though there are some people now who only want to read pilots or features and don't care about specs for existing shows.) Specs are writing samples designed to demonstrate that a) you know how to tell a story and b) you can mimic someone else's voice.
I´d also take something character based, with humor and of course lots of drama. But since I hardly know anything about Drive it would be hard to do that. There are not many dramas out there which one could take, but I then I hardly know everything on US TV. Hm, maybe a Battlestar Galactica with a out of character plotline, since they aren´t exactly much jokes in show, I think? Honestly I have no idea.
As for Lost, 24, DH I think you are right. For 24, for example, I can only think of starting a new day for a spec, which would be, lets face it, lame.
So just saw "Gem"
If you would like to heart me, you know the drill.
I'd just spec Knight Rider. Just for fun. Getting KIT's voice right, though, that could be tricky.
As long as it doesn´t have David Hasselhoff I´m all for it. You could replace him with ... how about a beagle? Cause beagles are always good aren´t they?
Awwwww, a beagle poking at KIT's buttons with its wee nose and pawing the steering wheel. I'd watch.
