ABC tries four new sitcoms on Wednesdays, with stalwarts Kelsey Grammar, Patricia Heaton, Courtney Cox, and Ed O’Neil each fronting their own series.  Heaven forbid they try any new talent.  I got bored just reading the blurbs about these shows on the ABC website.  Imagine actually watching a whole episode.  I will be surprised by the success of any of these series.  It is too soon to be specing any of them.  The only ABC sitcom worth specing is Scrubs, which is old and tired by now, but was once a clever show.

NBC says good-bye to Earl but hangs on to Parks and Recreation.  If P&R gets better maybe it will be worth specing.  New sitcom Community looks dreary; too soon to bother with it.  The Office is still on, but it’s like a party guest that won’t leave.  I’ve also never seen a student writer able to crack The Office.  It’s too hard for a neophyte.  But if you’re game for it, give it a go.  Otherwise, the only NBC series worth having in your portfolio is 30 Rock.  Try to do something original with it.  Don’t just mimic what they’re doing.

FOX stays with animation and ‘Til Death.  A lot of people will probably be sampling Glee and specing that, even though it just premiered.  It is listed as a drama/musical.  I haven’t seen it yet, but hear good things. 

CBS hangs on to its success.  It adds a new Jenna Elfman sitcom on Monday.  We’ll wait and see about that.  Christine and Gary Unmarried survive on Wednesdays.  If you love either one of them then perhaps it’s worth your time to try a spec.  Rules of Engagement remains a bench player.  I like this show when it’s about Jeff and Audrey.  I go to sleep when it’s about the other characters.  Best spec choices from CBS remain The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother.

It is difficult for you to put together an impressive portfolio of sitcom specs when there are so few good sitcoms from which to choose.

As much as I hate spec pilots, those are an option.  I’d also try a spec comedy screenplay as part of your portfolio.  If you don’t know how to write a movie script, buy Blake Snyder’s book, Save the Cat.

Remember that the spec that gets attention is one that is bold.  You have to really understand sitcom structure before you try to go bold.  What do I mean by bold?  Write something that goes to the heart of the series.  Write a story that tests the premise.  I explain all of this in detail in my book.

I’m encouraged that ABC, NBC, and CBS are all devoting at least one night to sitcoms.  The buzz is that the sitcom is coming back.  But we’ve heard that before.  I think the public wants more and better sitcoms.  The networks get in the way by imposing too many of their own bad instincts.  I’m not hopeful about the new shows, but maybe I’ll be proven wrong.  I hope so for your sake.

In response to an inquiry from a reader – at least there’s one still out there – I will have recommendations on what to spec in 2009.  But let’s wait until all the networks have announced their fall schedules.  A lot has leaked out, but the formal schedules have not been published to my knowledge.

My current thoughts, pending fall schedule announcements, are as follows:

WHAT TO SPEC

The Big Bang Theory   Just renewed for two years.  Awards aside, this is the best sitcom on TV.  I also think it gets watched by people in the industry.  Just make sure you write an episode that is about Leonard.  Don’t think you can get away with 40 pages of Sheldon fussing about his Thai food.  You need a real story that is centered on Leonard.

30 Rock   A twenty-minute SNL sketch more than a sitcom, it remains a media darling, so you might as well have one in your portfolio.  It has been speced to death however, so you better have a really fresh idea for a story.  Just an average episode is a waste of your time.  I’m sure a lot of producers are saying, “No more 30 Rocks!  Give me anything else!”  I’ve encouraged my students to write the characters as real people, but the actual writers don’t even try to do that.  On the other hand, if you wrote an episode in which Liz and Jack acted like human beings instead of cartoon characters, it might make your spec stand out.

How I Met Your Mother   Not an industry favorite, but it is a show that almost everyone has seen.  Don’t get hung up in one of their on-going story arcs.  Right a stand-alone episode.  Try to get to the heart of what this series is about.

WHAT NOT TO SPEC

The Office   It’s played.  Don’t bother.

My Name is Earl   May be canceled.

Two and A Half Men   Is there anything left to do with this show?

If you’re just learning how and you’re trying to write your first or second spec, then write your favorite show for practice.  If you’ve written a few specs by now and you really think you’re ready to write your killer spec, don’t waste your time with Samantha Who? or The New Adventures of Old Christine or Kath and Kim.  How could anyone write a memorable spec episode of one of these second-rate shows? 

To write a great spec you need a great series.  We don’t have any great series on the air right now, but it is possible to write a really good episode of the three series that I recommend.

SPEC PILOTS

I’ve never read a good one, but I know that agents and executives want these in your portfolio.  Try to do something fresh.  Don’t write about slackers.  Don’t set your pilot in a Kinko’s or a Starbuck’s.  If you don’t have any imagination, why are you bothering with a spec pilot in the first place?

THE LENO FACTOR

All four of the broadcast networks want out of the scripted TV series business.  They would much rather run game shows and faux news shows.  Jay Leno in prime time is either going to be a catastrophe or a stroke of genius.  If it works, it’s one more nearly mortal blow to the scripted series.  Even if Jay comes in third every night, if his demographics make business sense then he will stay on the air because his show costs nothing to produce.  Will Jay be a good lead-in for late local news?  We’ll see.  If Jay survives, you may want to go back to your spec screenplay.

THE CHUCK LORRE FACTOR

The only producer right now who knows how to create a hit sitcom is Chuck Lorre.  Parks and Recreation is going nowhere, so let’s get over the idea that Tina Fey and Lorne Michaels are ready for prime time.  They have a shelf full of awards but no viewers.  If I were you, I’d pay attention to what Chuck Lorre is doing.