American Fiction Trends

Less Complicated Plots, More Accessible Storylines

Heroes / NBC Universal International Television Distribution

According to the WIT report, American fiction programming seems to value simplicity, format purity, even freshness of tone. In 2006, the most noticeable fiction program was called "Ugly Betty". It's the local adaptation of the telenovelas format "Betty La Fea" with a simple concept: will an ugly duckling marry her prince? This American comedy has been receiving higher rating figures than the soap-style thrillers featuring a very carefully prepared mechanism like "Kidnapped" or "The Nine". American fiction is back and better than ever, in its own market as well as worldwide, thanks to the law enforcement series "CSI" spun off in three «local» versions, and thanks to the buzz generated by serials like "24", "Desperate Housewives", "Lost", and "Prison Break". As a result, the launching of many new serialized thrillers with elaborate storylines marked 2006: "The Nine", "Vanished", "Kidnapped", and "Runaway". These series (except for "Heroes" on NBC) are among the first victims of the new season. The three titles that have been widely accepted in the US are: the third season of "Grey's Anatomy", the first season of "Ugly Betty", and the first season of "Heroes". One might be tempted to believe in a «fresh» trend that would reinforce the general trend one can observe in all programming genres, towards simplicity, purity, and freshness. Which American series will continue this trend? Miracle Screenings asked heavyweight Hollywood studios for their opinion.