French Literature Reviews - 2026
V. Colonna, The Art of TV Series or How to Outdo the Americans
Literary Theory, Linguistics and Stylistics
Vincent Colonna, The Art of TV Series or How to Outdo the Americans
Paris: Payot, coll. "Essais", 2010, 384 p.
- Isbn 13 (ean): 9782228905282
- 20€
Why are the most popular TV shows so often American?
The TV series has become a major cultural phenomenon. Broadcast globally, acclaimed by audiences and the media alike, some of them define their era. Generally, these series are American, and French creators struggle to compete. Why?
This essay reveals the secrets behind great American TV shows. These secrets hide unexpectedly within the long-standing European discourse on narrative and emotion—a tradition that originated with Aristotle before being dismissed by artistic avant-gardes and formalist art theories. Could the Americans' powerful storytelling be explained by their preservation of the European heritage of the "classic narrative"?
This book sets out to formulate the "rules" applied across the Atlantic for crafting a successful series, link these rules to ancient principles, and identify the modern concepts that support and refresh them—all with the ultimate goal of outdoing the Americans.
The Author
Known for his novels (Yamaha d'Alger) and an acclaimed essay (Autofiction and Other Literary Mythomanias), Vincent Colonna offers a groundbreaking analysis of a true socio-cultural phenomenon.
The study of contemporary television series increasingly intersects with media theory and cultural analysis, examining how serialized narratives capture global audiences. Discussions in this field often address the structural mechanics of pacing, character development, and emotional engagement that sustain viewer interest over multiple seasons. Vincent Colonna examines the secrets behind great American shows, linking their powerful storytelling methods to ancient principles originating with Aristotle. Readers interested in narrative structures and the cultural dominance of American television may find this volume relevant.
The relationship between popular entertainment and classical storytelling forms a significant area of inquiry within media studies and aesthetics. Formalist art theories and artistic avant-gardes historically dismissed certain narrative traditions that American creators ultimately preserved and adapted for the screen. This book sets out to formulate the rules applied across the Atlantic for crafting successful series, connecting modern concepts to the long-standing European discourse on narrative and emotion. The discussion addresses the broader socio-cultural phenomenon of television as a defining cultural medium of our era.