How Many "Producers" Does It Take To Make A Show? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 02-06-2009, 08:00 PM

Whenever you watch a show these days, it seems like there are a large amount of producers in the credits. Hell, some shows have more "Executive Producers" than "Producers."

These days, you have:

Executive Producers, Supervising Producers, Producers, Co-Producers, Line Producer and of course, the bottom feeder on the producer chain, the Associate Producer.

Whereas older shows may have an Executive Producer, Producer and an Associate Producer. Some shows just had a producer or producers.

Are all the people listed on today's shows really involved with the production or are some of them just honorary titles?

Marvo301 · 02-06-2009, 09:12 PM

LOL, I thought you were going to ask how many producers does it take to screw in a lightbulb!!! Anyway I think your right some of those titles must be honorary.

repeatshistory · 02-06-2009, 09:33 PM

'Honorary' is probably not the right term. Every credit you see on a TV show is a paid position, be it an 'associate producer' ( who doesn't really do much, which generally gets a small percentage of the shows profits) or 'executive producer' (generally the 'money man', who put up the cash to make the show in the first place, and gets a much bigger piece of the profits) to the star/producer, which generally means that it's another way for the lead actor to get more money without giving him a 'raise' per se.

catlover79 · 02-06-2009, 09:58 PM

If you recall, Ryan Stiles was credited as a producer in Whose Line is it Anyway? When I went to a taping in March 2001, it was revealed through a Q & A session that he really had very little to do with the production side of the show.

Jude The Obscure · 02-06-2009, 11:00 PM

CBS' "Cosby" seemed to have more executive producers than I ever saw on a sitcom--when you watch the opening credits, it seemed right after the cast credits, you had 1001 executive producers listed!

catlover79 · 02-06-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

CBS' "Cosby" seemed to have more executive producers than I ever saw on a sitcom--when you watch the opening credits, it seemed right after the cast credits, you had 1001 executive producers listed!

Give or take a few.

02-06-2009, 08:00 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	How Many "Producers" Does It Take To Make A Show? Whenever you watch a show these days, it seems like there are a large amount of producers in the credits. Hell, some shows have more "Executive Producers" than "Producers." These days, you have: Executive Producers, Supervising Producers, Producers, Co-Producers, Line Producer and of course, the bottom feeder on the producer chain, the Associate Producer. Whereas older shows may have an Executive Producer, Producer and an Associate Producer. Some shows just had a producer or producers. Are all the people listed on today's shows really involved with the production or are some of them just honorary titles?
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

02-06-2009, 09:12 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	LOL, I thought you were going to ask how many producers does it take to screw in a lightbulb!!! Anyway I think your right some of those titles must be honorary.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-06-2009, 09:33 PM	#3
repeatshistory Doing my part to make your day Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 31, 2008 Location: Williams Bay, WI Posts: 381	'Honorary' is probably not the right term. Every credit you see on a TV show is a paid position, be it an 'associate producer' ( who doesn't really do much, which generally gets a small percentage of the shows profits) or 'executive producer' (generally the 'money man', who put up the cash to make the show in the first place, and gets a much bigger piece of the profits) to the star/producer, which generally means that it's another way for the lead actor to get more money without giving him a 'raise' per se.
	__________________ Your life is an occasion --- rise to it.

02-06-2009, 09:58 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	If you recall, Ryan Stiles was credited as a producer in Whose Line is it Anyway? When I went to a taping in March 2001, it was revealed through a Q & A session that he really had very little to do with the production side of the show.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

02-06-2009, 11:00 PM	#5
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	CBS' "Cosby" seemed to have more executive producers than I ever saw on a sitcom--when you watch the opening credits, it seemed right after the cast credits, you had 1001 executive producers listed!