Dilbert's Hell House
I just caught the short for the upcoming season of Gordon "Fucking" Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen and was inspired. Gordon is pictured with angel wings and a halo, ostensibly repentant for swearing so much, before restoring our faith in his charisma by swearing again. Funny.
Here's an idea for a TV series to consider: Dilbert, the eponymous comic strip Engineer, is fifteen years older and has taken on a management role within an Engineering firm. Dilbert is now a cranky, jaded and stubborn Engineer. Every episode he makes some early, bold prediction about the appropriate solution to an Engineering problem based on years of experience and on years of growing myopic and out-of-touch. Every actor will portray an easy to follow, one-dimensional character, and speak using completely inappropriate and fustian jargon.
The central characters will then act independently in solving the central problem, taking clandestine risks to pursue their own suspicions. At various points the central characters will meet, and Dilbert will unleash a flurry of profanities at the more junior engineers, who will see this approach as a harsh, but useful learning exercise.
Ultimately it will turn out Dilbert was wrong in the details, and someone's life will be put at risk. Occasionally there will be a flashback to some Engineering decision earlier in Dilbert's life that killed someone, and some tear-jerking words of piercing wisdom will come from a client. Dilbert of course, was still fundamentally right, and by combining the most relevant parts of the solutions so far presented, the original Engineering problem will be solved. Everyone will live happily ever after.
I can't take all the credit for this stunning TV plot. I've just taken the most prominent elements of two current shows with excellent ratings - Hell's Kitchen and House. It can't fail to be a worldwide hit.
Except, as I see it, it will take about 30 seconds before everyone realises that the characters' pompous speech is not only unrealistic but would have any other Engineer trying to avoid all further conversations. It might take another 30 seconds for the audience to realise that the risky and bravado-charged manner in which the Engineers work would have the entire team sacked before the episode is out. One outrageous outburst from Dilbert and the audience would lose respect for him, quickly followed by any respect for the junior engineers if they chose to put up with it. It would be unlikely the audience would last the first episode before they become disenchanted with the perilous approach the protagonist has to his work, and the beaten and pathetic forgiveness of his disciples.
Except I would most likely be wrong and wrong.
And that's why I'm sticking to Engineering and staying away from Entertainment.