ABSTRACT
In this chapter, five screenwriters discuss how “great” (high-quality) television dialogue could be defined. David Mandel (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep), Jane Espenson (Buffy, Battlestar Galactica, Once Upon a Time), Sheila Lawrence (Gilmore Girls, Ugly Betty, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Robert Berens (Supernatural), and Doris Egan (Tru Calling, House, Reign) each explain their own understanding of good dialogue, the different criteria for quality that can be applied, and the various aspects that can be considered when evaluating TV dialogue. The chapter concludes with a brief summary and advice for budding TV screenwriters.
