Screenwriting Blog
Posted on by Courtney Meznarich

Is Dramedy the Future of Screenwriting? Veteran TV Writer and Producer Monica Piper Makes the Case

Is there such a thing as a dramedy-light? I know the term may not exist, but I’d argue that the genre does. And veteran TV writer, comedian, and producer Monica Piper agrees, so much so that she’s willing to bet that the genre will be the go-to for writers in the future.

Piper is known for hit shows, including “Mad About You,” “Aaahhh!!! Real Monsters,” “Rugrats,” and “Roseanne.” Her focus has always been to find the funny in real life and real people.

Hold your place in line, screenwriter! We’re getting closer to launching SoCreate Screenwriting Software to a limited number of beta testers. S, without leaving this page.

We asked her what the future looks like for screenwriters and what they should be focusing on.

“I think it’s going to be, more and more, shows that are really basically dramas with some jokes,” she began.

A dramedy is usually equal parts drama and comedy. But what I see on TV shows lately is heavier on the former.

“I mean, even a show like “Killing Eve,” which is highly dramatic and fabulous, it had humor in it,” Piper added. “The reactions to some of the stuff is just; you’re just laughing. And a show like “Fleabag,” you know, they’re serious. They’re funny.”

The stories are still character-driven, emotional, and focus heavily on the character’s inner conflict, but they also give me laugh out loud moments. Think “Breaking Bad,” and “Succession,” which focus on the characters and their struggles, but pepper in some dark comedy.

“I think what’s never going to change is that great comedy comes from character – who that character is, what that character’s flaw is, and what they’re struggling with,” Piper concluded.

Need help finding the funny? Read Piper’s serious tips for writing comedy for TV and movies before you get any further in your script.

Dramedy-light. You heard it here first,

Courtney Meznarich, Director of Community Outreach
Courtney Meznarich Director of Community Outreach
@courtonthecoast

You may also be interested in...

What is the Future of Screenwriting? Screenwriting Guru Linda Aronson Has an Idea

3 Ways Screenwriting Will Change in the Future, According to Screenwriting Guru Linda Aronson

What will screenwriters need to know to succeed in the future? Linda Aronson is an award-winning screenwriter, novelist, playwright, and screenwriting guru, and she’s been keeping a watchful eye on the storytelling industry. And it’s not just the medium that’s changing rapidly, but also what viewers expect out of a movie or TV show. Yes, filmmakers have all the tools at their disposal to make their own movies, publish their own webisodes, and market their stories without a distribution company. But writers should also be paying attention to these technical elements in their future ...

“Don’t be precious,” and More Advice from Screenwriter Adam G. Simon

From Hollywood to Pakistan, screenwriters from around the globe tuned in to our Instagram Story to ask screenwriter Adam G. Simon questions about how to get their screenwriting careers off the ground. “I love contributing because no one really helped me,” he told the writing community. “I want more people to succeed. I want more people in. I want more people creating ideas. Before I broke in, I had negative 150 dollars in my bank account and a bag of scripts. It put me in a Screenwriter Adam G. Simon position where I had to do or die. It would have been nice to get some advice.”...
So, You Want to Be a Screenwriter? TV Writer Monica Piper Says to First Ask Yourself This Question

Comedian and TV Writer Monica Piper’s 5 Pieces of Advice for New Screenwriters

If you’ve found your way to this blog because you’ve recently decided to try your hand at screenwriting, you’re in the right place! Whether you write for fun or for the chance that you might make a living at it someday, it’s always nice to hear advice from other talented writers who have had successful careers. Today, that advice comes from Emmy Award-winning comedian, TV writer, and producer Monica Piper. Piper has had her hand in TV shows such as “Roseanne,” “Rugrats,” “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters,” and “Mad About You,” so her specialty is comedy, but her wide range of advice below applies ...