TV show
Episodic screen entertainment
A TV show is a program broadcast on television, typically as a series of episodes: What's your favorite TV show?
The term covers everything from sitcoms and dramas to reality competitions and talk shows.
Also called a television show or simply a show.
Serialized content unit
- seasonYearly division or series
- seriesOrdered set of related items
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
- finaleConcluding part of performance
cliffhanger · arc · spinoff · crossover · miniseries · anthology · procedural · serial
Interconnected system
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
- streamingReal-time digital delivery
- primetimeTelevision's highest-viewership period
- syndicationMulti-outlet content distribution
ratings · Nielsen · viewers · timeslot · sweeps · hiatus · renewal · cancellation
Episodic TV comedy series
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- parodySatirical imitation
- satireMockery exposing vice
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
farce · spoof · mockumentary · laugh-track · punchline · gag · wit · banter
Not pre-written
- contestantsCompetition participants
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
- auditionsPerformance tests for casting
- challengesDifficulties requiring effort
voting · confessionals · host · judges · makeover · competition · docuseries · survival
Animated or humorous illustration
- animeJapanese cartoon art form
- CGIDigital movie imagery
- 2DTwo-dimensional
- 3DThree-axis spatial representation
stop-motion · claymation · voiceover · storyboard · Nickelodeon · rotoscope · motion-capture · family-friendly
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- crimePunishable illegal act
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
conspiracy · psychological · noir · procedural · whodunit · investigation · forensic · undercover
episode
Serialized content unit
finale · cliffhanger · arc · spinoff · crossover · miniseries · anthology · procedural · serial · standalone
network
Interconnected system
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
- streamingReal-time digital delivery
- primetimeTelevision's highest-viewership period
syndication · ratings · Nielsen · viewers · timeslot · sweeps · hiatus · renewal · cancellation · rerun
sitcom
Episodic TV comedy series
slapstick · farce · spoof · mockumentary · laugh-track · punchline · gag · wit · banter · deadpan
unscripted
Not pre-written
- contestantsCompetition participants
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
- auditionsPerformance tests for casting
challenges · voting · confessionals · host · judges · makeover · competition · docuseries · survival · reunion
cartoon
Animated or humorous illustration
3D · stop-motion · claymation · voiceover · storyboard · Nickelodeon · rotoscope · motion-capture · family-friendly
suspense
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- crimePunishable illegal act
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
espionage · conspiracy · psychological · noir · procedural · whodunit · investigation · forensic · undercover · interrogation
protagonist
Story's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- conflictOpposition between parties
tension · climax · tragedy · melodrama · soap-opera · prestige · showdown · backstory · antihero · emotional
- Charadesacting, miming, gestures, pantomime, guessing
- Media Termsbreaking news, sound bite, press release, comic strip, news feed
- broadcaststelecast, newscast, news broadcast, live broadcast, simulcast
- productionsfilm, movie, series, documentary, video
- recordingsaudio recording, albums, studio albums, video recording, live albums
- showssitcom, miniseries, series, serial, drama series
TV showstage play
Live theatrical work
live concert · Broadway show · live performance · opera · ballet
TV showvideo game
Electronic interactive visual entertainment
interactive fiction · board game · sport · outdoor activity · interactive theater
show, television, TV, televise, televised, TVs, televising, TV shows