With the abundance of content we see today, the marketing part of showmaking has become the most important. Studios only have a few seconds to pitch their new series to viewers and convince them to tune in.
That's why big names in the crew and cast and an exciting synopsis have become a must for TV projects. If you can't explain the premise of a show without the other person dozing off by the end of the sentence, it probably won't ever see the light of day.
Still, there are happy exceptions to this rule. Here are five shows that proved that execution means more than initial idea. With the dullest of concepts, they managed to become one-of-a-kind examples of excellent television.
The Office (2005-2013)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
Why would anyone care about the employees of a paper supply company? Yet millions of people do, and The Office's unique brand of humor has become an entire pop culture trend.
To be fair, the same logic applies to almost every popular sitcom. Parks and Rec is about the parks department in a small Midwestern town. Friends - six people hanging out in NYC. Everybody Loves Raymond - a guy who is married and has a family. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia – a gang that never leaves a bar.
These and other projects prove that sitcoms are, first and foremost, character-driven comedies, where cast, humor and execution mean much more than a thrilling premise.
The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
The Golden Girls is a sitcom that deserves special mention. At its core, it is just four old ladies talking. Who could be addicted to that? Yet, viewers are still blown away by how good this show is. Even though it premiered almost 40 years ago, it still holds up really well.
The series has tackled such difficult topics as homosexuality, transgenderism, women's health, and sexual freedom with class and poise.
Detectorists (2014-2022)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
The premise of Detectorists makes you want to yawn: Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones' characters are searching for a Saxon hoard in the English countryside. Nevertheless, for many viewers, it is the best thing they have ever seen on television.
The gentle comedy, the main characters, the wacky townspeople they interact with, Mackenzie Crook's writing, directing and acting, all pull you in from the first episode. Oh, and the show oddly has a super relaxing effect, like natural Xanax.
Mad Men (2007-2015)
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Mad Men is a period drama about ad men in the 60s. Who could be interested in that? A history nerd? But when you tune in on the recommendation of friends, you can't believe how excellent the story is.
Even those who aren't fans of the genre can't help but get caught up in the story of Jon Hamm's Don Draper and other characters. It certainly helps that the show spends only a few early episodes as a period piece and quickly becomes a character-driven drama with strong parallels to current events.
The White Lotus (2021-present)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Who hasn't seen The White Lotus, you might ask? Well, it's true, the show is popular and wildly successful. But that's certainly not because of its premise.
Think about it: when you first heard about the series, you probably thought, 'How can anyone want to watch a story about rich people going on vacation?' But when you finally gave in to the rave reviews, you couldn't help but binge the show in one sitting. That's the magic of great execution.