Sunday Times 2
Why Downton is ‘perfect’ TV
Researchers have calculated a formula for the perfect TV episode – and found Downton Abbey consistently comes closest to the ideal.
Studying the 50 most popular shows of the past decade, experts at Bournemouth University’s Media School found the best recipe for an episode was 65 per cent drama, 12 per cent shocks, nine per cent comedy, eight per cent action and six per cent romance.
Researchers have calculated a formula for the perfect TV episode - and found Downton Abbey consistently comes closest to the ideal (AFP)
TV expert Boyd Hilton and analysts at Bournemouth University’s Media School carried out painstaking research and found Downton Abbey season three, episode five – where Sybil dies, came closest to this.
It contained 36 minutes of ‘drama’, 3 mins 10 seconds of shock and surprise, 1 minute 10 seconds of comedy, 3 mins 10 seconds of action and 2 minutes 50 seconds of romance. That equates to 78 per cent drama, seven per cent shocks and surprises, two per cent comedy, seven per cent action and six per cent romance.
The Friends episode which topped the poll, was made up of 48 per cent drama, 29 per cent comedy, two per cent romance and 21 per cent shocks and surprises.
TV reviewer Boyd Hilton said: ‘What makes this research so exciting and unique is how it helps us work out why a particular episode is so powerful and unmissable.
‘This is the ultimate guide to the recipe for TV Gold.’
© Daily Mail, London