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Orrex

(63,215 posts) Sun Oct 9, 2016, 10:46 AM Oct 2016

"Showrunner"

Despite my famous insider connections in the entertainment world, I'd swear that I never heard the term "showrunner" until about the end of 2014. Like literally never heard those three syllables spoken consecutively. Certainly it wasn't the first job title discussed every time a new show hit the air. I figured it was a sort of job euphemism the guy who fetched coffee for the director, etc.

But now it seems like that's all I hear. Regardless of the show or the subject matter or the stars, news outlets make sure that I know who the new program's showrunner is first and foremost.

When did this trend actually start?

Also, if you post a link to the wiki entry or you helpfully suggest that Google is my friend, then you obviously want to make sweet, sweet love to Donald Trump.

5 replies

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"Showrunner" (Original Post) Orrex Oct 2016 OP

I first heard the term around 2009 mainer Oct 2016 #1

That sounds about right NewJeffCT Oct 2016 #5

I remember it being referred to back MicaelS Oct 2016 #2

"Showrunner" has been in common usage for around twenty years Bryan Oct 2016 #3

"Common usage?" Really? Orrex Oct 2016 #4

mainer

(12,022 posts)

1. I first heard the term around 2009

Reply to Orrex (Original post)

Sun Oct 9, 2016, 10:50 AM

Oct 2016

It goes back further than that. Before, they used to be called "producers", but now everyone wants to be ID'd as "the show runner".

The meaning of "executive producer" seems to have morphed into "the guy who comes up with the money to back it."

"Producer" can mean a great many things these days.

NewJeffCT

(56,828 posts)

5. That sounds about right

Reply to mainer (Reply #1)

Mon Oct 10, 2016, 12:00 PM

Oct 2016

I don't really remember it much before 2009 or so, but I've heard it quite a bit in regards to The Walking Dead (3 show runners in the first 3 seasons) and Game of Thrones (show runners David Benioff & DB Weiss and how the show differed from the novels) and shows since that time - both of those shows started in 2010.

MicaelS

(8,747 posts)

2. I remember it being referred to back

Reply to Orrex (Original post)

Sun Oct 9, 2016, 08:42 PM

Oct 2016

When Enterprise and the new BSG were on the air.

Bryan

(1,837 posts)

3. "Showrunner" has been in common usage for around twenty years

Reply to Orrex (Original post)

Sun Oct 9, 2016, 10:18 PM

Oct 2016

It's at least as old as David Wild's account of the 1998-99 TV season, The Showrunners (great book, btw).

https://www.amazon.com/Showrunners-Season-Billion-Dollar-Death-Defying-Televisions/dp/0060193786/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476065735&sr=1-3&keywords=the+showrunners

Orrex

(63,215 posts)

4. "Common usage?" Really?

Reply to Bryan (Reply #3)

Sun Oct 9, 2016, 11:18 PM

Oct 2016

Like in typical mainstream discussions of programming, the way it is now?

I sure as hell never heard it in connection with Seinfeld, Friends, Mad About You, Everybody Loves Raymond, E/R or any of the other shows dominating the air 20 years ago.

It's certainly possible, but it baffles me that I went from never hearing it to never not hearing it.

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