With tongue planted in cheek, Vulture provides this:

Warning: The following post contains spoilers for Breaking Bad, Dexter, Homeland, The Wire, The Sopranos, House of Cards, The Walking Dead, The Americans, Justified, Boardwalk Empire, Sons of Anarchy, True Blood, Lost, and Game of Thrones.

Here’s the list:

Rule 1: Start with an anti-hero.
Rule 2: Give him a family.
Rule 3: Set your show at the end of an era.
Rule 4: Give the hero a mentor or a protégé.
Rule 5: Add a nemesis with problems of his own.
Rule 6: Then write a bottle episode.
Rule 7: Put a drug at the center.
Rule 8: Sex.
Rule 9: Parcel out the violence.
Rule 10: Every serious drama pilot must have at least two of these things: Health Scare, Explosion, Corpse Disposal, Superpower, Party Scene.
Rule 11: Hit the books.
Rule 12: Let nobody be safe.
Rule 13: Don’t forget the comedy.

For Vulture’s extensive analysis and examples, go here.

See how easy it is to create a “prestige TV drama”?

Jeff Lieber is a screenwriter and TV writer. His movie credits include Tuck Everlasting and he is currently an executive producer of the USA Network series “Necessary Roughness.” On Twitter (@JeffLieber), he has run a series of tweets called Showrunner Rules. For background on Jeff and this Twitter series, go here.

Today: Numbers 161-170:

Showrunner Rule #161 (1 of 2): Shows shot in 6 months often take place over 1 year, which is when ugly reality of SEASONS rears its head…

Showrunner Rule #161 (2 of 2): …location has one weather/show world another, so crew places fake fall trees outside location windows. #oy

Showrunner Rule #162: Start positive notes calls by pimping NAME of episode writer. Easy for staff to get overlooked in fog of production.

Showrunner Rule #163 (1 of 2): Unless you’re incredibly lucky/unlucky this show will not be your last, therefore every cast/crew member…

Showrunner Rule #163 (2 of 2): …is both an ally now & discovery for future adventures. Treasures of last show are 1st call for next one.

Showrunner Rule #164: Casting is ‘nother chance to improve script. Actor dynamic/persona can add/refine/improve character that’s on page.

Showrunner Rule #165: 93% of TV puking fails to elicit intended feeling. Fun to type “She blows chunks” but actual blowing mostly gets cut.

Showrunner Rule #166: Crew sees 6 7/8 page day as doable. Maybe not so with 7 1/8. Formatting changes can get day made based on moral alone.

Showrunner Rule #167: Weekend w/ less than 1 cut to note + 1 script/outline = WINNING! Weekend w/ more = something will become the shatty.

Showrunner Rule #168 (1 of 2): Best relationships between Exec/Writer are when former IDENTIFIES problem and trusts latter to SOLVE it…

Showrunner Rule #168 (2 of 2): …worst relationship is when Exec DEMANDS their solution & Writer INCAPABLE of discovering solutions on own.

Showrunner Rule #169: Learn to– What? Yes, I’ll take the call. OK, learn to– No, Act 3. Learn to think QUICKLY, because you’ll be interu–

Showrunner Rule #170: BA’ll ALWAYS insist there’s no time 2 get work visa 4 foreign actor. If Ugandan is best & ya got 2 wks, roll the dice.

Here is Jeff’s bio:

One day in 1986, after blowing up a glass beaker in a lab in high school, Jeffrey Lieber’s science teacher, Dr. Nagoi, turned to him and said, “Jeffrey… you be an actor… you be a writer… maybe have a family… but please, dear God, don’t be a chemist.” And it was those words that launched a journey that has ended up with Mr. Lieber becoming a screenwriter, showrunner, blogger, father and husband (Credits? Go here). Every day, while pursuing his passions, Mr. Lieber takes a moment to stop and thank Dr. Nagoi for his sage advice.

We can look for more Showrunner Rules from Jeff in the weeks and months to come. You can follow them live on Twitter (@JeffLieber) as Jeff rolls them out. Then with every group of ten, I’ll post them here and add them to the archives.

For all of the Showrunner Rules, go here.

Jeff Lieber is a screenwriter and TV writer. His movie credits include Tuck Everlasting and he is currently an executive producer of the USA Network series “Necessary Roughness.” On Twitter (@JeffLieber), he has run a series of tweets called Showrunner Rules. For background on Jeff and this Twitter series, go here.

Today: Numbers 151-160:

Showrunner Rule #151 (1 of 2): Lead actresses’ seasonal wardrobe is called their “closet”. Costume designers HATE reusing…

Showrunner Rule #151 (2 of 2): …but budget demands you do. Rule of thumb (mine) is 3 eps between generic piece & never w/ signature piece.

Showrunner Rule #152: When interviewing Casting Director ask @ “bald actor w/ accent in FX show.” If CD says Željko Ivanek in

Showrunner Rule #153 (1 of 2): Really only two routes to first staffing job. 1: Come in through side door by making it another medium…

Showrunner Rule #153 (2 of 2): …(web/books/film/graphic novels) or be mentored & promoted by someone who has or is getting their own show.

Showrunner Rule #154: Send vaguely sick writers home. Being shorthanded in room sucks, but staff plague derails material train for weeks.

Showrunner Rule #155: Questions ALWAYS more compelling than answers. The silence after “But do you love me?” will trump any possible retort.

Shorunner Rule #156: No matter how many times you SWEAR you’ll keep THIS outline UNDER 20 pages, sure as gravity, they end up 25 pages long.

Showrunner Rule #157: Never react to BIG notes on call. It takes 24 hours & at least one long shower to get comfortable w/ radical changes.

Showrunner Rule #158: Top of show actors must be treated on set as guests, until they start changing lines, and then they must be slapped.

Showrunner Rule #159: Reserve GREAT compassion for costumer, as every exec who wears clothes thinks they’re qualified 2 give wardrobe notes.

Showrunner Rule #159A (addendum): Also costumer likely told to produce $1000 suits with budget of $197 and change found in car cup holder.

Showrunner Rule #160: Specificity of character means you can tell props red, white, scotch or whiskey when script just says, “she drinks.”

Here is Jeff’s bio:

One day in 1986, after blowing up a glass beaker in a lab in high school, Jeffrey Lieber’s science teacher, Dr. Nagoi, turned to him and said, “Jeffrey… you be an actor… you be a writer… maybe have a family… but please, dear God, don’t be a chemist.” And it was those words that launched a journey that has ended up with Mr. Lieber becoming a screenwriter, showrunner, blogger, father and husband (Credits? Go here). Every day, while pursuing his passions, Mr. Lieber takes a moment to stop and thank Dr. Nagoi for his sage advice.

We can look for more Showrunner Rules from Jeff in the weeks and months to come. You can follow them live on Twitter as Jeff rolls them out. Then with every group of ten, I’ll post them here and add them to the archives.

For all of the Showrunner Rules, go here.

Jeff Lieber is a screenwriter and TV writer. His movie credits include Tuck Everlasting and he is currently an executive producer of the USA Network series “Necessary Roughness.” On Twitter (@JeffLieber), he has run a series of tweets called Showrunner Rules. For background on Jeff and this Twitter series, go here.

Today: Numbers 141-150:

Showrunner Rule #141: Look at “1 pagers” as chum for drawing sharks. Get’m out quick & crude just to see what ideas are dead in water.

Showrunner Rule #142: Get personal shit done BEFORE show starts. If not, you’ll end up w/ 1/2 glasses missing.

Showrunner Rule #143: Trust writers to find the beauty. Break foundation & floor plan in room, let staff discover design flair in outline.

Showrunner Rule #144: Backstory is neither plot, nor need, nor stakes. Backstory is just the sauce in which backstory/plot/need are stewed.

Showrunner Rule #145: On notes call in car, pull over 2 avoid that “drop out” moment. “Character we insist must die is… ”

Showrunner Rule #146: FACTUAL reality vs EMOTIONAL reality. Violate former, lose viewers 4 an episode. Violate latter lose viewers 4-ever.

Showrunner Rule #147: When hiring DP, sit directly under a light. If greater than 5 min before DP tips shade so that 1/2 your face is in shadow… hire.

Showrunner Rule #148 (1 of 2): Pilot scope is not about visual canvas, but about how large a footprint your lead character has…

Showrunner Rule #148 (2 of 2): …meaning, when lead character acts how much of the show’s world is affected?

Showrunner Rule #149: Let Script Super fight ALL line battles. Cast needs to know he/she is only/final arbiter of law of the spoken word.

Showrunner Rule #150: For important guest rolls write sides NOT in script, otherwise actor’ll codify audition perform before they get 2 set.

Here is Jeff’s bio:

One day in 1986, after blowing up a glass beaker in a lab in high school, Jeffrey Lieber’s science teacher, Dr. Nagoi, turned to him and said, “Jeffrey… you be an actor… you be a writer… maybe have a family… but please, dear God, don’t be a chemist.” And it was those words that launched a journey that has ended up with Mr. Lieber becoming a screenwriter, showrunner, blogger, father and husband (Credits? Go here). Every day, while pursuing his passions, Mr. Lieber takes a moment to stop and thank Dr. Nagoi for his sage advice.

We can look for more Showrunner Rules from Jeff in the weeks and months to come. You can follow them live on Twitter as Jeff rolls them out. Then with every group of ten, I’ll post them here and add them to the archives.

For all of the Showrunner Rules, go here.

Jeff Lieber is a screenwriter and TV writer. His movie credits include Tuck Everlasting and he is currently an executive producer of the USA Network series “Necessary Roughness.” On Twitter (@JeffLieber), he has run a series of tweets called Showrunner Rules. For background on Jeff and this Twitter series, go here.

Today: Numbers 131-140.

Showrunner Rule #131: When interviewing 1st AD, make’m wait 20 minutes. Ask assistant to see how many times they check watch. If >10, hire!

Showrunner Rule #132: Average movie day is 2-3 pages. TV day, 6-7 pages. It simply a matter of economics & need to feed the tv beast.

Showrunner Rule #133: Goal of pilot is 2 establish concept & possibility. 1st 10 pages elucidates how show works, last 10, where show’ll go.

Showrunner Rule #134 (1 of 2): When forced to cut budget, cut money for guest cast, because getting the studio/network to go over budget…

Showrunner Rule #134 (2 of 2): …for living breathing people is possible. Getting them 2 go over budget for dolly track, not gunna happen.

Showrunner Rule #135: Break story w/ turnaround in mind. If actor’s in last scene every night & 1st scene every morn, you’ll be mud by Ep 3.

Showrunner Rule #136: When interviewing Line Producer, drop 3 nickels on office floor. If they notice, retrieve & turn into swing set, hire!

Showrunner Rule #137: In action lines, nothing after 1st 6 words will be read by execs. If important, put in front or GO TO THE UPPERCASE.

Showrunner Rule ‪#137A‬ (Adendum): Italics and bold to emphasize important action will also work… in scripts… just a no go on Twitter.

Showrunner Rule #138 (failed): Don’t hire same sex assistant better looking than you; the job already inspires feelings of self loathing.

Showrunner Rule #139 (passed): Don’t hire opposite sex assistant too good looking for you; job pays well, shame to lose 1/2 in divorce.

Showrunner Rule 138A/139A (addendum): Of course, if gay, switcho reverso ‪ ‬ (138) with ‪ ‬ (139).

Showrunner Rule #140: Don’t let continuity screw story. No one shuts off TV screaming, “Wait, she wore that same fucking skirt in act 2!?”

I asked Jeff for a bio. Here it is:

One day in 1986, after blowing up a glass beaker in a lab in high school, Jeffrey Lieber’s science teacher, Dr. Nagoi, turned to him and said, “Jeffrey… you be an actor… you be a writer… maybe have a family… but please, dear God, don’t be a chemist.” And it was those words that launched a journey that has ended up with Mr. Lieber becoming a screenwriter, showrunner, blogger, father and husband (Credits? Go here). Every day, while pursuing his passions, Mr. Lieber takes a moment to stop and thank Dr. Nagoi for his sage advice.

We can look for more Showrunner Rules from Jeff in the weeks and months to come. You can follow them live on Twitter as Jeff rolls them out. Then with every group of ten, I’ll post them here and add them to the archives.

For all of the Showrunner Rules, go here.

Jeff Lieber is a screenwriter and TV writer. His movie credits include Tuck Everlasting and he is currently an executive producer of the USA Network series “Necessary Roughness.” On Twitter (@JeffLieber), he has run a series of tweets called Showrunner Rules. For background on Jeff and this Twitter series, go here.

Today: Numbers 121-130.

Showrunner Rule #121 (1 of 7): A DAY. 4:45AM call from set @ “wrong colored” prop. 6:15AM 2nd call – taken in shower – about same prop…

Showrunner Rule #121 (2 of 7): ..still wrong color. 8AM on drive, talk w/ director about new scene. 9:10AM start reading outline…

Showrunner Rule #121 (3 of 7): …interrupted by 9:11AM 3rd call @ prop, now fixed. 10AM notes call, 1 page. 10:45AM notes call, script…

Showrunner Rule #121 (4 of 7): 12PM …restart read of outline, interrupted by call from casting, actress “get” broken her leg…

Showrunner Rule #121 (5 of 7): 12:33PM lunch. 1PM-3PM break episode. 3:30PM: call to recast broken-legged actress…

Showrunner Rule #121 (6 of 7): …4:30PM restart outline, interrupted by editing, interrupted by confused writer, interrupted by spouse…

Showrunner Rule #121 (7 of 7): …6:15PM call w/ nextwork. 7:30 eat w/ family, put kids to bed. 10:20 restart outline interrupted by… zzz.

Showrunner Rule #122: If possible end scene w/ question who’s answer is transition to next scene. But who wants Pierre dead? (Scene) Well…

Showrunner Rule #123: Screen 1st episode 4 crew @ NICE lunch. Important to remember the point of sacrificing most of 1′s waking hours.

Showrunner Rule #124: Anything written after 1045PM MUST be checked for tipos and to be shure it maykes any fucking butterscotch mouse.

Showrunner Rule #125: Lead character’s names must start w/ different letters. Using SMART TYPE this saves 22.5634 hrs over life of series.

Showrunner Rule #126: When something innocuous in Ep 101 is the lynchpin to the Ep 112 cliffhanger… your cooking with gas.

Showrunner Rule #127 (1 of 3): Don’t send flaming poop bag to clearance lawyers when they ding 300th last name for character…

Showrunner Rule #127 (2 of 3): …even if stated reason is a person, who died 17 years ago, also had name & lived in same city as show…

Showrunner Rule #127 (3 of 3): …clearance lawyer is just doing their job… odd as that job is.

Showrunner Rule #128: Last act before hiring writer, call their LAST showrunner. Prime showrunner covenant: Tell The Fucking Truth @ Staff.

Showrunner Rule #129 (1 of 2): Have something that’s YOURS. I follow every slug w/ “…where X character does Y…”

Showrunner Rule #129 (2 of 2): Utterly pointless, but that it’s my own personal version of a watermark that sez script was written by me.

Showrunner Rule 129A (addendum): As an example of #129 –> pic.twitter.com/Krc3HQvqKI

Showrunner Rule #130: The “room” is an improv exercise, where “yes, AND” is organizing principle. Naysayers R leeches of time & good will.

I asked Jeff for a bio. Here it is:

One day in 1986, after blowing up a glass beaker in a lab in high school, Jeffrey Lieber’s science teacher, Dr. Nagoi, turned to him and said, “Jeffrey… you be an actor… you be a writer… maybe have a family… but please, dear God, don’t be a chemist.” And it was those words that launched a journey that has ended up with Mr. Lieber becoming a screenwriter, showrunner, blogger, father and husband (Credits? Go here). Every day, while pursuing his passions, Mr. Lieber takes a moment to stop and thank Dr. Nagoi for his sage advice.

We can look for more Showrunner Rules from Jeff in the weeks and months to come. You can follow them live on Twitter as Jeff rolls them out. Then with every group of ten, I’ll post them here and add them to the archives.

For all of the Showrunner Rules, go here.

Jeff Lieber is a screenwriter and TV writer. His movie credits include Tuck Everlasting and he is currently an executive producer of the USA Network series “Necessary Roughness.” On Twitter (@JeffLieber), he has run a series of tweets called Showrunner Rules. For background on Jeff and this Twitter series, go here.

Today: Numbers 111-120:

Showrunner Rule #111: All stories can’t be given equal weight. If “C” & “D” runners have as many cards as “A” story… ya pooched the screw.

Showrunner Rule #112: Every story gets a color. Every scene gets a card.

Showrunner Rule #113: Mantra in room is… the story/outline/script will never be as bad as it is at this moment. Forward. Always forward.

Showrunner Rule #114: If you can remove a scene from board & story doesn’t implode… then scene isn’t primal. Run test B4 going 2 outline.

Showrunner (sneaky) Rule #115: Can’t get actor to give smile you NEED? Crack joke at very end of take, then “scrape the slate” in editing.

Showrunner Rule #116: 1st day on set, get off cell & make nice w/ transpo driver. Its polite, but also they have the dirt you need to know.

Showrunner Rule #117: 1st rule of Googling yourself is don’t, but if you MUST… don’t do it when on a deadline. (h/t @BittrScrptReadr)

Showrunner Rule #118: When interviewing editor, sit behind them & talk to back of their head. It’s what 93% of your relationship will be.

Showrunner Rule #119: In single-lead actor shows, Year 1, they work for u. Yearr 2, ur “partners”. Year 3 & beyond… u work for them.

Showrunner Rule #120: Try 2 B part of something that matters (h/t @NRWritersRoom, @crgshapiro)

For Showrunner Rules: Numbers 1-10, go here.

Numbers 11-20, go here.

Numbers 21-30, go here.

Numbers 31-40, go here.

Numbers 41-50, go here.

Numbers 51-60, go here.

Numbers 61-70, go here.

Numbers 71-80, go here.

Numbers 81-90, go here.

Numbers 91-100, go here.

Numbers 101-110, go here.

I asked Jeff for a bio. Here it is:

One day in 1986, after blowing up a glass beaker in a lab in high school, Jeffrey Lieber’s science teacher, Dr. Nagoi, turned to him and said, “Jeffrey… you be an actor… you be a writer… maybe have a family… but please, dear God, don’t be a chemist.” And it was those words that launched a journey that has ended up with Mr. Lieber becoming a screenwriter, showrunner, blogger, father and husband (Credits? Go here). Every day, while pursuing his passions, Mr. Lieber takes a moment to stop and thank Dr. Nagoi for his sage advice.

Thanks, Jeff. Best of luck on the front lines of running a TV series and all your creative endeavors!

UPDATE: Speaking of “best of luck,” Jeff lands a new gig.

We can look for more Showrunner Rules from Jeff in the weeks and months to come. You can follow them live on Twitter as Jeff rolls them out. Then with every group of ten, I’ll post them here and add them to the archives.

Jeff Lieber is a screenwriter and TV writer. His movie credits include Tuck Everlasting and he is currently an executive producer of the USA Network series “Necessary Roughness.” On Twitter (@JeffLieber), he has run a series of tweets called Showrunner Rules. For background on Jeff and this Twitter series, go here.

Today: Numbers 101-110:

Showrunner Rule #101: 1st week of room, call actors & find out secret talents. To have lead “character” juggle fire is pretty fucking cool.

Showrunner Rule #102 (1 of 2): Everything has an associated cost. EVERYTHING. Choosing to use “bullshit” on basic cable means…

Showrunner Rule #102 (2 of 2): …spending extra 2-3K in post to make “safe for daytime” version with the shit removed. Choices. Choices.

Showrunner Rule #103 (1 of 4): Great shows need all 3 of the following… the BUY, the COME, and the STAY (my terms, I think).

Showrunner Rule #103 (2 of 4): BUY is the concept… reason Network schedules show. Head of New Jersey crime family… goes into therapy.

Showrunner Rule #103 (3 of 4): COME is the week-2-week draw. Remember that therapist? “Next week”… Crime Boss starts fucking her.

Showrunner Rule #103 (4 of 4): STAY is mid-episode twist that keeps viewer in seat. Crime Boss’ wife discovers fucking… & shes got a gun?

Showrunner Rule #104: Make LOCATIONS REPORT on Final Draft a friend. That EXT with 1 OCCURRENCE 6 miles from set? Kill it now, kill it fast.

Showrunner Rule #105: The work must get done, where the work must get done

Showrunner Rule #106: Being a great staff writer is equal parts invention & mimic. Invention of story… mimic of the creators’ voice/style.

Showrunner Rule #107: Know you’re network brand. Crying, “but Mad Men does it,” at F/X is like trying to mate an aardvark with a giraffe.

Showrunner Rule #108: Not every character speaks English or in full sentences or has good grammar. Not every character… speaks like you.

Showrunner Rule #109: Easy to make 1st & last 5 minutes compelling. When plotting pilot find a moment at 23:12 that takes your breath away.

Showrunner Rule #110: Don’t become that person behind a closed door. Must let staff in on as much as possible so you’re all in it together.

For Showrunner Rules: Numbers 1-10, go here.

Numbers 11-20, go here.

Numbers 21-30, go here.

Numbers 31-40, go here.

Numbers 41-50, go here.

Numbers 51-60, go here.

Numbers 61-70, go here.

Numbers 71-80, go here.

Numbers 81-90, go here.

Numbers 91-100, go here.

Next: Showrunner Rules: Numbers 111-120.

I asked Jeff for a bio. Here it is:

One day in 1986, after blowing up a glass beaker in a lab in high school, Jeffrey Lieber’s science teacher, Dr. Nagoi, turned to him and said, “Jeffrey… you be an actor… you be a writer… maybe have a family… but please, dear God, don’t be a chemist.” And it was those words that launched a journey that has ended up with Mr. Lieber becoming a screenwriter, showrunner, blogger, father and husband (Credits? Go here). Every day, while pursuing his passions, Mr. Lieber takes a moment to stop and thank Dr. Nagoi for his sage advice.

Thanks, Jeff. Best of luck on the front lines of running a TV series and all your creative endeavors!

UPDATE: Speaking of “best of luck,” Jeff lands a new gig.

Jeff Lieber is a screenwriter and TV writer. His movie credits include Tuck Everlasting and he is currently an executive producer of the USA Network series “Necessary Roughness.” On Twitter (@JeffLieber), he has run a series of tweets called Showrunner Rules. For background on Jeff and this Twitter series, go here.

Today: Numbers 91-100:

Showrunner Rule #91: Biggest impediment to honest story telling is act outs. With 6 acts it forces direction change roughly every 7 minutes.

Showrunner Rule #92 (1 of 2): If you want to keep actors you’ve cast in pilot WARN THEM that table read is a PERFORMANCE…

Showrunner Rule #92 (2 of 2): …because table read is Latin for “Maybe We Fucked Up And Should Recast That Part.”

Showrunner Rule #93 (1 of 3): Job while waiting to make it as writer should 1) Pay enough to keep you fed, housed & car running…

Showrunner Rule #93 (2 of 3): …2) not be a soul sucking, mind-fucking disaster and 3) leave you with enough energy to write…

Showrunner Rule #93 (3 of 3): ..cause if you’re not writing, you’ll always be waiting.

Showrunner Rule #94: Series pace tricky. Example of plot constipation… Carnivàle Season 1. Example of plot diarrhea… Carnivàle Season 2.

Showrunner Rule #95: Fight like hell 2 get editing in same building as room. Time wasted getting to & fro is robbed from story… & ur kids.

Showrunner Rule #96 (1 of 2): To keep concept meeting < 3hrs, don’t get bogged down with the exact color & size of “merkin for sex scene”…

Showrunner Rule #96 (2 of 2): …or, shorter, anything & everything that doesn’t need WHOLE CREW’S attention gets side-barred post meeting.

Showrunner Rule #97: Can’t quite nail a storyline that you know you need. Start with the TAG (last scene) & break it backward to the TEASE.

Showrunner Rule #98: Impossible to develop pilot while running 1st year show. Same year 2. Year 3… how utterly fantastic are your co-eps?

Showrunner Rule #99 (1 of 3): In perfect room every writer/producer has a super power. The 1 w/ a thousand pitches. The 1 who tracks arcs…

Showrunner Rule #99 (2 of 3): …the 1 who can write the crap out of a scene, the 1 who knows you’re WAY off course…

Showrunner Rule #99 (3 of 3): …12 great writers is like a car with an engine, but no steering wheel, wind shield wipers or seat belts.

Showrunner Rule #100 (1of 2): When you reach a 100 of anything, find a place to keep “them” safe. In this case it’s –>

Showrunner Rule #100 (2 of 2): Big thanks to Scott @GoIntoTheStory & @theblcklst for being willing to make a little room at the inn.

For Showrunner Rules: Numbers 1-10, go here.

Numbers 11-20, go here.

Numbers 21-30, go here.

Numbers 31-40, go here.

Numbers 41-50, go here.

Numbers 51-60, go here.

Numbers 61-70, go here.

Numbers 71-80, go here.

Numbers 81-90, go here.

Next: Showrunner Rules: Numbers 101-110.

I asked Jeff for a bio. Here it is:

One day in 1986, after blowing up a glass beaker in a lab in high school, Jeffrey Lieber’s science teacher, Dr. Nagoi, turned to him and said, “Jeffrey… you be an actor… you be a writer… maybe have a family… but please, dear God, don’t be a chemist.” And it was those words that launched a journey that has ended up with Mr. Lieber becoming a screenwriter, showrunner, blogger, father and husband (Credits? Go here). Every day, while pursuing his passions, Mr. Lieber takes a moment to stop and thank Dr. Nagoi for his sage advice.

Thanks, Jeff. Best of luck on the front lines of running a TV series and all your creative endeavors!

UPDATE: Speaking of “best of luck,” Jeff lands a new gig.

Jeff Lieber is a screenwriter and TV writer. His movie credits include Tuck Everlasting and he is currently an executive producer of the USA Network series “Necessary Roughness.” On Twitter (@JeffLieber), he has run a series of tweets called Showrunner Rules. For background on Jeff and this Twitter series, go here.

Today: Numbers 81-90:

Showrunner Rule #81: Audience will shut off TV 2 seconds after major conflict is solved. Got your “killer” early in act 4? Go back & re-break.

Showrunner Rule #82: Writing INT. FULL AUDITORIUM is writing INT. $12,500 in 250 extras at +$50 a head. Locations have budget consequences.

Showrunner Rule #82A (addendum): When writing a spec pilot… fuck budget consequences and write something great. You’ll figure out $$ later.

Showrunner rule #83: If interviewing script supervisor, drink water w/ 1 hand. As they leave, ask WHICH hand. If they know… join the show!

Showrunner Rule #84 (1 of 2): When you find an all-in, sure-fire, decent-person, character-actor like, say, Michael O’Neill…

Showrunner Rule #84 (2 of 2): …DON’T tell anyone, ’cause then that actor will be on someone else’s show, not yours. (Wait. Wait! Untweet!)

Showrunner Rule #85: When on set for 1st 3AM Fraturday, get crew coffee cart/ice cream/SOMETHING. It’s 1 week for you… 20 weeks for them.

Showrunner Rule #86 (1 of 2): Must have clear rule on line changes, i.e. script concerns must be raised 48 hours before a scene shoots…

Showrunner Rule #86 (2 of 2): …leaving time to republish for production. Biggest avoidable time suck: negotiating lines while crew sits.

Showrunner Rule #87 (1 of 2): Ratings speculation infects set like flu. Must ACTIVELY manage day after premier response, so that whispers…

Showrunner Rule #87 (2 of 2): …of potential shut down don’t turn into entire crew on phones looking for next job.

Showrunner Rule #88: Resist temptation 2 get cute w/ slug line. No “dusk” or “gloaming”. 4 productions sake its NIGHT (dark) or DAY (light).

Showrunner Rule #88: Gotta have AT LEAST 3 scripts to Production Draft by 1st day of shooting. Anything less 8 you’ll be on fumes by EP 8.

Showrunner Rule #89: Figure out when natural room lull is & schedule calls then. You won’t recover from derailing story momentum at 10AM.

Showrunner Rule #90 (1 of 3): Breakdown of 36 days from Story Break to Production Draft (AKA Rule #36 here.

Showrunner Rule #90 (2 of 3): 7 days story break, 8 days outline (including notes), 10 days internal draft, 5 days to Studio Draft…

Showrunner Rule #90 (3 of 3): …4 days to Network Draft. 2 days to Production Draft (on first day of Prep). Get’m to the church on time.

For Showrunner Rules: Numbers 1-10, go here.

Numbers 11-20, go here.

Numbers 21-30, go here.

Numbers 31-40, go here.

Numbers 41-50, go here.

Numbers 51-60, go here.

Numbers 61-70, go here.

Numbers 71-80, go here.

Next: Showrunner Rules: Numbers 91-100.

I asked Jeff for a bio. Here it is:

One day in 1986, after blowing up a glass beaker in a lab in high school, Jeffrey Lieber’s science teacher, Dr. Nagoi, turned to him and said, “Jeffrey… you be an actor… you be a writer… maybe have a family… but please, dear God, don’t be a chemist.” And it was those words that launched a journey that has ended up with Mr. Lieber becoming a screenwriter, showrunner, blogger, father and husband (Credits? Go here). Every day, while pursuing his passions, Mr. Lieber takes a moment to stop and thank Dr. Nagoi for his sage advice.

Thanks, Jeff. Best of luck on the front lines of running a TV series and all your creative endeavors!