How to Write TV Show Reviews

Have you been reading a lot of TV reviews on AC lately and wondering how you can join in the fun? It is relatively easy to write a TV review and anyone with an opinion on a show- be it a loving or loathing view- can contribute a TV review following just a few steps. I have been writing TV reviews online for about eight years and while it does get easier with time, it isn't all that tough to begin with. Here are some things I suggest keeping in mind as you review a TV show.

The first thing I suggest is that you pick a show with which you are familiar. It will be simpler for you to write a review the first time out if you have a real 'feel' for the show- its cast, its tone, its themes, etc. And you will have consumed enough of the program, so to speak, to really be able to form an opinion. Professional reviewers are often asked to review new shows based on just a few episodes so the reviews are up when the shows premiere. However, binging on early episodes doesn't always allow us to do the show justice. If you want to review a new show, go ahead, of course. But if you have watched a show for a long time, you will cut down on research and you will be able to give a fair, holistic view of the series.

Another thing I suggest is that you be able to put your overall opinion of the show into one pithy sentence that becomes the recurring focal point of your review. For instance, 'House is a compelling medical mystery series with characters that also hold your interest.' That's a good strong thesis that the whole review can support piece by piece. First you talk about the medical mystery element, then the characters, and the whole time, the reader will be right there with you because you have made the direction of your article clear.

A third consideration when reviewing a TV show is to make sure you have supporting details which go along with your main point. Whatever you think of the show you're reviewing, you want to get the readers to see your point by providing specific examples. For instance, with the show House, if you're talking about the compelling characters, you wouldn't just name the people on the show and say what their jobs are. Instead, you would elaborate on specific traits that make them compelling: House's misanthropic one-liners such as...; Cuddy's shakey tolerance, as seen in the episode with...; Foreman's desire to maintain some optimistic view of life as represented by his decision to... It is possible your readers will have seen your reviewed show many times, but don't take that fact for granted, give them examples that illustrate the points you're making about the series.

I also suggest that you keep episode summary to a minimum. You will probably want to spend a paragraph or two discussing the premise of the show- again, don't assume people have seen it- but your review should not be an article giving the play-by-play of a certain episode. That would be a recap, and that's a whole other kettle of fish.

A last thing to keep in mind is that TV series involve a lot names - casts, directors, writers, producers, creators, characters. Make sure to do your research properly to get all those names straight. People reading your review may be huge fans of a particular show and they might notice any inconsistencies.

Writing reviews can be a great way to vent your emotions on a show that you love or can't stand. It can also be a great way to communicate with other TV fans - expressing your feelings on new shows in a formal way.