Quotes Meaning

"So often in TV you’re looking at the monitor thinking, ‘Oh, yeah, that sort of looks a bit like that other TV show that we’re pretending to make.’"

- Jesse Armstrong

British screenwriter and creator Jesse Armstrong is well-known for his witty banter and astute insights into the television business. Armstrong, who was born in London, England, in 1976, became well-known for his work on a number of critically acclaimed television shows, including "The Thick of It," "In the Loop," and most famously, "Succession."

Armstrong's statement captures a sentiment that many artists who work in the commercial television industry share. In order to appeal to a wide audience, the television industry frequently uses well-known clichés and formulas, which occasionally leads to shows that look a lot like one another.

Think of the world of TV show production as a huge garden where each plot is intended to produce something different, but naturally, many plants have nearly identical appearances because they were all planted from seeds purchased from the same vendor. Jesse Armstrong's remark in this figurative garden emphasizes how simple it is for designers to discover that their plots are being overtaken by nearby plants that look remarkably alike.

This observation highlights a reality of the television industry where originality can occasionally be subordinated to tried-and-true formulas, but it does not imply that all television programs are bad or unoriginal. Armstrong's understanding of this facet of show business demonstrates his acute awareness of how artistic processes function under the demands of the marketplace.

Armstrong continues to overcome these obstacles as a seasoned writer and producer by creating television programs that are notable for their intricate narratives and nuanced character development. His work frequently examines family disputes and power struggles in high-stakes situations, which appeals to a broad audience and pushes the artistic limits of television.

Jesse Armstrong's comment essentially acknowledges both the limitations and the potential for innovation present in structured systems, reflecting on the nature of creativity within them.

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