Introduction

This is to guide the structure of articles dealing with television shows or other forms of episodic programs.

Title

WikiProject Television

Scope

This m:WikiProject aims primarily to normalize the standards for all the television show articles in Ireland Information Guide.

Parent Wikiprojects

The parent of this WikiProject is the Wikiproject Entertainment, the parent of which is WikiProject Arts.

Descendant Wikiprojects

WikiProject Television episodes is a descendant of this project.

Similar Wikiprojects

• Ireland Information Guide:WikiProject Soap Operas
• Ireland Information Guide:WikiProject Television Stations
• Ireland Information Guide:WikiProject Movies
• Ireland Information Guide:WikiProject Albums

Participants

• user:zanimum
• Davodd
• Acegikmo1

Structure

Introduction

The first sentence should explain the premise, genre, and significance of the show. A good introductory sentence is:

"Inspired by the film of the same name, M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) was an American television series about a team of medical professionals and support staff stationed in Korea during the Korean War."

Depending on the length of the aritcle and the complexity of the show, the introductory paragraph(s) can contain several more sentences which elaborate on the series. The following information should be included in the introduction:

• Years on the air
• Premeire date
• Channel of first and current airing
• Production companies
• Principal characters
• Influence
• Place in popular culture

It should be noted that the title of a television show is styled with italics (e.g. M*A*S*H) while the title of an episode is styled with quotation marks (e.g. "Pilot").

Characters

• Character, general description, usually contains profession, habits, psychological; character may be explained more indepth later. Play by First Name Last Name
• Captain Jean-Luc Picard, one of Starfleet's most trusted captains, he has a keen sense of what to do, and thus has been known to ignore the Prime Directive. Played by Patrick Stewart.
• Big Bird is an eight-foot-tall yellow canary with a long neck, and a large curiousity for the world around him. Puppeted by Caroll Spinney.

Plot

This section should only be relatively brief, only discussing important plot elements that steered the course of characters lives, or the course of the show, or at least were popular with audiences (ie Seinfeld's Soup Nazi).

Don't discuss every episode unless necessary, and avoid discussing issues/developments in a rigid episode by episode format, if a more free-form plot-arc description would be more appropriate.

For episodes where 500 words or more can be written, without stretching things out, seperate articles may be appropriate.

Impact of Show on Society

If the show created a craze, popularized a word (Seinfeld with "yada, yada, yada", etc.), revolutionized the medium (Sesame Street in children's television, or the mini-series Roots), or something else (many stores and businesses closed early on Mondays for allowing employees to get home on time to watch I Love Lucy).

Critical Reviews

Preferably from major syndicates (Associated Press, REUTERS, Canadian Press) and major newspapers (USA Today, The Toronto Star, The Times [London]) and major periodicals (TV Guide, TIME), these quotes can either critique the show, or comment on its impact. They should not just be descriptions of the shows, and preferably should not exceed three or so sentences.

Production Notes

Any behind the scenes information is encouraged.