Steven Bochco Quotes

Powerful Steven Bochco for Daily Growth

About Steven Bochco

Steven Bochco, an influential figure in American television, was born on February 14, 1943, in New York City. Raised by Jewish parents, his upbringing played a significant role in shaping his perspective and storytelling style. He attended the Cornell University but left before graduating to pursue a career in television writing. His professional journey began as a scriptwriter for "Rich Man, Poor Man" (1976), a miniseries that won him an Emmy Award. This breakthrough led him to create and produce some of the most iconic TV shows of the 20th century. His works, often characterized by their gritty realism, complex characters, and socially relevant themes, revolutionized television storytelling. In 1981, Bochco co-created "Hill Street Blues," a police drama that challenged traditional TV storytelling with its ensemble cast and interwoven narrative structure. The show won multiple Emmys, cementing Bochco's reputation as a trailblazer. His subsequent works included "L.A. Law" (1986-1994), another groundbreaking legal drama, and "NYPD Blue" (1993-2005), known for its raw portrayal of police work and the personal lives of its characters. Bochco's approach to television was marked by a commitment to character development, social commentary, and narrative innovation. Despite battling cancer in the late 1990s, he continued to produce shows until his retirement in 2008. Steven Bochco passed away on April 1, 2014, leaving behind an indelible impact on American television. His quotes reflect a deep understanding of the medium and an unwavering dedication to pushing its boundaries.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"TV is a disrespecter of persons and ideas. Anybody can be a hero in a crisis; it takes a real hero to live an ordinary life."

This quote suggests that while many people may rise to the occasion during times of crisis or danger, showing courage, strength, and resilience, it is those who maintain their integrity and exhibit similar qualities in everyday, seemingly "ordinary" lives, who are the true heroes. It emphasizes that the real test of character lies not just in extraordinary circumstances, but also in the ability to remain steadfast, compassionate, and heroic amidst ordinary, often mundane, day-to-day situations.

"You're only as good as the stories you tell."

This quote by Steven Bochco emphasizes that a person's worth or quality is largely determined by the narratives they create or share with others. It implies that through storytelling, one can reveal their character, values, creativity, empathy, and wisdom. The stories we tell are reflections of our thoughts, perspectives, and experiences, and they shape how people perceive us and remember us. In essence, the quality and impact of those stories are a measure of our own inherent worth.

"The best television is the least predictable, which means that it's going to have surprises and twists and turns for its audience."

This quote by Steven Bochco emphasizes the importance of unpredictability in quality television. He suggests that the most effective and engaging TV content will offer unexpected events, plot twists, and surprises for its viewers to keep them hooked and invested in the narrative. These elements of suspense and intrigue make the viewing experience exciting and memorable.

"Television has a power of intimacy, a way of reaching into people's homes and hearts in a way no other medium can."

This quote highlights the unique ability of television to create an intimate connection between content creators and audiences, transcending physical boundaries. By entering homes and lives, television can touch upon personal emotions and experiences, making it a powerful and influential medium unlike any other. This power derives from its accessibility and ability to deeply engage viewers on a emotional level.

"The key to any long-running series is that it must change and grow with the audience; it cannot remain static or it will die."

This quote emphasizes the importance of evolution and adaptability in long-running series, be they TV shows, books, or any other form of media. Stagnation leads to irrelevance, as audiences crave freshness and growth in the content they consume. To survive and thrive, a series must stay true to its core essence while embracing change, keeping pace with both its audience's evolving tastes and the cultural shifts around it.

When you look at Mark Zuckerberg and Snapchat and all these twentysomething billionaires, it's really kind of fascinating; a classic tale of the haves and have-nots.

- Steven Bochco

Kind, Billionaires, None

I'd always thought that 'NYPD Blue' really would open those doors. While I think it created a much broader template for cable, I don't think it really did that much for network television.

- Steven Bochco

Think, Always, I Think, Network Television

Television and film are such streamlined story mediums. You can't really meander about, whereas a novel is an interior experience.

- Steven Bochco

Television, Streamlined, Mediums

I tend not to spend a lot of time looking in the rearview mirror. If you say, 'Oh, I did 'Hill Street Blues' or 'L.A. Law' and everything I do has to measure up to some preconceived notion of that,' it would paralyze you.

- Steven Bochco

Mirror, Some, Paralyze, Preconceived

Casting is sort of like looking at paintings. You don't know what you'll like, but you recognize it when you see it.

- Steven Bochco

See, Like, Paintings, Casting

You have to give directors and cinematographers a word blueprint for visuals, but I had to learn that from experience.

- Steven Bochco

Learn, Give, Visuals, Blueprint

'Hill Street,' because of the wacky nature of many of our characters, really allowed us to indulge a kind of cheek-to-jowl juxtaposition of high drama with very low humor.

- Steven Bochco

Nature, Very, Allowed, Indulge

When it is perceived that a show has gone awry, the pressure is staggering, and as a writer caught in that storm, it feels like you are being attacked by jackals.

- Steven Bochco

Storm, Caught, Feels, Awry

The entertainment world, television, movies, social media, YouTube stuff, we're so bombarded with so much imagery and such a great sense of inhumanity, and there is a coarseness, a coarsening of interaction.

- Steven Bochco

YouTube, Great Sense, Social Media

Vivid images are like a beautiful melody that speaks to you on an emotional level. It bypasses your logic centers and even your intellect and goes to a different part of the brain.

- Steven Bochco

Like, Intellect, Images, Centers

Privately, we always called 'Hill Street' 'Cop Soap.'

- Steven Bochco

Hill, Always, Cop, Privately

Imagery is like music.

- Steven Bochco

Music, Like, Imagery

Cop shows are by definition melodramatic; they're larger than life. They create very stark contrasts and conflicts emotionally. They're provocative, assuming they grapple with - to the extent that cop shows are mirrors of the culture.

- Steven Bochco

Very, Larger, Extent, Conflicts

I think the best work flows out of a collaborative environment.

- Steven Bochco

Environment, Think, I Think, Best Work

The thing that always interests me from a storytelling point of view is how that moment of trauma, whatever the trauma is, even divorce, your dog dies, whatever it is, the consequence, in terms of people's emotional lives and the way it resonates behaviorally for a long time, is really the stuff that interests me.

- Steven Bochco

Storytelling, Resonates, Dies

Being a good television screenwriter requires an understanding of the way film accelerates the communication of words.

- Steven Bochco

Television, Screenwriter, Requires

I remember practically every joke I've ever heard in my life.

- Steven Bochco

Remember, My Life, Ever, Joke

Hill Street Blues gave me an opportunity to work with an ensemble cast of people whose work I admired.

- Steven Bochco

Work, Opportunity, Admired, Blues

Hill Street Blues might have been the first television show that had a memory. One episode after another was part of a cumulative experience shared by the audience.

- Steven Bochco

Audience, Been, Shared, Blues

Film provides an opportunity to marry the power of ideas with the power of images.

- Steven Bochco

Opportunity, Marry, Images, Provides

One of the problems of writing is that anyone who commits themselves to that process has to believe that they're good.

- Steven Bochco

Writing, Themselves, Anyone, Process

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