ABSTRACT
Writing for television is a creative occupation that functions within the structure of an economic institution. Thornton identified two logics that drive production in the media industries: editorial logic and market logic. Choosing shows that are character-based, but also commercial in appeal. Principals are more likely to be risk averse while agents are more likely to be risk neutral. Executives are agents of the studio or network, which means they are likely to be risk averse - to look for ways of reducing the probability that an ongoing series will fail, and to choose new programs based on what has worked in the past. From the writers' point of view, executives have to make decisions based on economic or political factors that have nothing to do with the quality of scripts. So the passion for the medium and everything is not there.
