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A television show creator or television program creator is the person who developed a significant part of a TV show's format, concept, characters, and pilot script. They have sequel rights to the material as well.
Often, the creator is also the showrunner or a producer. Sometimes it is a writer of the series bible, or writers' guidelines.[1][unreliable source?] In the United States, a Writers Guild of America (WGA) screenwriting credit system governs credits. For example, the Writers Guild of America West provides specifications for creator credits that govern its members.[2] The Producers Guild of America's corresponding code for producers defines "Executive Producer" and similar roles but not an explicit "Creator" role.[3][4][failed verification]
Creator is a specific credit given explicitly in many shows. However, it has not always been a prominent, explicit credit. For example, Sydney Newman, the accepted creator of The Avengers (1961–69), was never given an explicit credit as creator; Newman never thought to ask for one.[5] The creator of a television show may retain rights to participate in profits, often to be paid by the production company as a percentage of fees that it receives from networks and distributors.[6] In 2014, for prime-time network TV shows, the WGA-required royalty to be paid to a writer with "created by" credit is approximately $1,000 per episode or higher.[7] Who merits creator credit is sometimes a matter of contention. In a 2013 legal case, a director sued a former writing partner for co-creator credit.[8]
Notable examples of creators include:
- Natasha Allegri, created the web series Bee and Puppycat turned into a TV series on Netflix.[9][10]
- Paul Abbott, created Shameless, and is also responsible for the creation of Reckless and Touching Evil for ITV, as well as Clocking Off and State of Play for the BBC.[11][12]
- J. J. Abrams, co-created Felicity (1998–2002), created Alias (2001–2006), co-created Lost (2004–2010), Fringe (2008–2013), Undercovers (2010)
- Britt Allcroft created the children's television series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (later re-titled Thomas & Friends), Shining Time Station (with Rick Siggelkow) and Magic Adventures of Mumfie
- Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson, co-creators of Thunderbirds (1965–66);[13] Gerry Anderson also created Supercar (1961–62)[14]
- Danny Antonucci, created The Brothers Grunt, Cartoon Sushi, and Ed, Edd n Eddy
- Meredith Averill, creator and executive producer of The CW science fiction teen drama Star-Crossed.[15]
- Craig Bartlett, created Hey Arnold!, Dinosaur Train and Ready Jet Go!.
- Ben Bocquelet, created The Amazing World of Gumball.
- Donald P. Bellisario, co-created Magnum, P.I., created Airwolf, created Quantum Leap, created JAG, co-created NCIS.
- Maxwell Atoms, created Grim & Evil, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and Evil Con Carne.
- Rick Berman, co-created Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with Michael Piller,[16] co-created Star Trek: Voyager with Piller and Jeri Taylor, co-created Enterprise (retitled Star Trek: Enterprise in 2003) with Brannon Braga.[17]
- Loren Bouchard, co-created Home Movies (with Brendon Small), and created Bob's Burgers and Lucy: The Daughter of the Devil and co-created Central Park (TV series)
- Ian Brennan, co-creator with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk of Glee
- Marc Brown, created TV series Arthur
- Jamie Brittain, co-creator with Bryan Elsley of British teen drama Skins (2007–2013)[18]
- Johnny Byrne, created Heartbeat and Noah's Ark (1997–98)
- Stephen J. Cannell, co-created The Rockford Files, created Baretta, created The Greatest American Hero, co-created The A-Team, co-created Hardcastle and McCormick, created Stingray, co-created Wiseguy, co-created 21 Jump Street, created Silk Stalkings, co-created The Commish, created Renegade.
- Gábor Csupó, created Rugrats, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Santo Bugito, The Wild Thornberrys, Rocket Power, All Grown Up!, and Rugrats Pre-School Daze.
- Michael Schur, co-created Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, created The Good Place.
- Mitch Schauer, created The Angry Beavers.
- David Crane, co-created Friends (with Marta Kauffman), co-created The Class with Jeffrey Klarik,[19] and co-created Episodes for the BBC.[20][21]
- Keith Chapman, created Bob the Builder, Fifi and the Flowertots, and PAW Patrol.
- Greg Daniels, co-created King of the Hill, developed The Office, co-created Parks and Recreation, created Upload, and co-created Space Force.
- John A. Davis, created The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
- Terrance Dicks, co-created the BBC science-fiction TV series Moonbase 3 (1973)
- C.H. Greenblatt, created Chowder, Harvey Beaks, and Jellystone!.
- John R. Dilworth, created Courage the Cowardly Dog
- David Feiss, created Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel and YooHoo & Friends.
- Bryan Elsley, created Dates (2013–)[22] and co-created the British teen drama Skins (2007–2013) with Jamie Brittain[18]
- Brad Falchuk, co-creator with Murphy of American Horror Story,[23] co-creator with Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy of Glee
- Phil Ford, co-creator with Russell T Davies of Wizards vs Aliens
- C.H. Greenblatt, created Chowder, Harvey Beaks, and Jellystone!.
- Jorge Gutierrez, created El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera and Maya and the Three.
- Bruce Geller, created the television series Mission: Impossible (1966–73)
- Chris Gifford, created Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go! and Dora and Friends: Into the City
- Vince Gilligan, created Breaking Bad and co-created Better Call Saul
- Bryan Elsley, created Dates (2013–)[24] and co-created the British teen drama Skins (2007–2013) with Jamie Brittain[18]
- David Greenwalt, co-created Angel, co-created Profit, and co-created NBC drama Grimm
- David E. Kelley, created Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal, and Harry's Law
- Matt Groening, created The Simpsons,[25] Futurama and Disenchantment.
- Stephen Hillenburg, created SpongeBob SquarePants.
- Susan Harris, created Soap, Benson, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Nurses and The Golden Palace.
- Chris Kratt and Martin Kratt, co-created the children's TV series Kratts' Creatures, Zoboomafoo, Be the Creature, and Wild Kratts
- Jeffrey Klarik, co-created Episodes and co-created The Class with David Crane[26]
- Glen A. Larson, created The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, created Battlestar Galactica, co-created B. J. and the Bear, created Galactica 1980, co-created Magnum, P.I., created The Fall Guy, created Knight Rider, created Automan.
- Norman Lear, created All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, Maude and Good Times
- Butch Hartman, created The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy, Bunsen is a Beast
- Mike Judge, created Beavis and Butt-Head, and co-created King of the Hill, The Goode Family, Silicon Valley, and Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus
- Emily Kapnek, created As Told by Ginger, Suburgatory, and Selfie
- Roberta Leigh, created puppet TV series Sara and Hoppity, Torchy the Battery Boy, Wonder Boy and Tiger and Send for Dithers, as well as created Space Patrol, (US title: Planet Patrol)[27]
- Steven Levitan, co-creator with Christopher Lloyd of Modern Family[28]
- Christopher Lloyd, co-creator with Steven Levitan of Modern Family[28]
- Craig McCracken, created The Powerpuff Girls, Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, Wander Over Yonder, Kid Cosmic
- Patrick McGoohan, creator[29] or co-creator[30] of The Prisoner
- Carol Mendelsohn, co-creator and executive producer of CSI: Miami and CSI: NY
- Lorne Michaels, best known for creating and producing Saturday Night Live
- Ryan Murphy, co-created Glee (with Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk) and co-created American Horror Story[23]
- Joe Murray, created Rocko's Modern Life, Camp Lazlo, Let's Go Luna
- Mic Neumann created Kung Faux
- Sydney Newman, created The Avengers[31] and Doctor Who[32]
- Jonathan Nolan, created Person of Interest
- Steve Oedekerk, created Back at the Barnyard and co-created Planet Sheen
- Van Partible, created Johnny Bravo.
- Michael Piller, co-created Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and of Star Trek: Voyager
- J.G. Quintel, created Regular Show and Close Enough
- Paul Reiser, co-created Mad About You (1992–99)
- Rob Renzetti, created My Life as a Teenage Robot
- Shonda Rhimes, created Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal
- Sol Saks, most known as created Bewitched (1964–72)[33]
- Chris Savino, created The Loud House.
- Adi Shankar, created The Guardians of Justice.
- Sidney Sheldon, created The Patty Duke Show (1963–66), I Dream of Jeannie (1965–70) and Hart to Hart (1979–84)
- Mr. Warburton, created Codename: Kids Next Door.
- Jhonen Vasquez, created Invader Zim
- Genndy Tartakovsky, created Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack, developed Star Wars: Clone Wars, co-created Sym-Bionic Titan and created Primal
- Pendleton Ward, created Adventure Time, Bravest Warriors and The Midnight Gospel.
- Alex Hirsch, created Gravity Falls
- D.B Weiss and David Benioff, co-created Game of Thrones (2011)
- Joss Whedon, created Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003), Angel (1999–2004), Firefly (2002–03), Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008), Dollhouse (2009–10) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020).[34]
- Tom Wheeler, created The Cape (2011)[35]
- Toby Whithouse, created Being Human[36]
- Dick Wolf, created Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, Law & Order: LA, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: UK.,[37] and created Crime & Punishment
- Justin Zackham, created FX drama series Lights Out
- Anthony E. Zuiker, created the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation franchise of several TV series,[38]
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