History Main / ExecutiveMeddling

[[caption-width-right:283:[[https://www.deviantart.com/purple-katt-13/art/Disney-Owns-Marvel-Oh-no-143002317 "Instead of 'spidey-sense', now it will now be 'pixie sense' and instead of 'tingling', we're thinking 'bubbling'."]]

[[caption-width-right:283:[[https://www.deviantart.com/purple-katt-13/art/Disney-Owns-Marvel-Oh-no-143002317 "Instead of 'spidey-sense', it will now be 'pixie sense'."]]]]

[[caption-width-right:283:[[https://www.deviantart.com/purple-katt-13/art/Disney-Owns-Marvel-Oh-no-143002317 Full comic here.]]]]

* ExecutiveMeddling/{{Other}}

May lead to {{Nepotism}} (where someone is given a role solely because they are related to one of the execs), DungeonMastersGirlfriend (where an exec's love interest is given preferential treatment), ViewersAreMorons (where everything has to be explained every time it is mentioned), CreativeDifferences (where the creator and the execs fall out over the work), ExecutiveVeto (where the creator is forbidden to use a particular plot device), RevisedEnding (where the creator is forced to change the work's ending), GetBackInTheCloset (where the creator is forced to remove any homosexual references), ChristmasRushed (where the creator is forced to complete the work by a specific deadline), PublisherChosenTitle (where the work's title is chosen by the execs) and MyWayOrTheHighway (where the creator is given a choice between making the required changes or taking the work elsewhere). See also MusicIsPolitics, ObviousBeta, MediaWatchdog, MoralGuardians, and AlanSmithee. Compare WhatCouldHaveBeen, WagTheDirector, DevelopmentHell, and {{Vaporware}}. Sometimes, an ObviousRulePatch will be the result of this. Contrast with GettingCrapPastTheRadar and ProtectionFromEditors. ScrewedByTheNetwork, FridayNightDeathSlot, and DumpMonths are similar to the sabotage version, but the work's content is usually left untouched. For fictional examples where one interferes with another's work, see TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup.

May lead to {{Nepotism}} (where someone is given a role solely because they are related to one of the execs), DungeonMastersGirlfriend (where an exec's love interest is given preferential treatment), ViewersAreMorons (where everything has to be explained every time it is mentioned), CreativeDifferences (where the creator and the execs fall out over the work), ExecutiveVeto (where the creator is forbidden to use a particular plot device), RevisedEnding (where the creator is forced to change the work's ending), GetBackInTheCloset (where the creator is forced to remove any homosexual references), ChristmasRushed (where the creator is forced to complete the work by a specific deadline), PublisherChosenTitle (where the work's title is chosen by the execs) and MyWayOrTheHighway (where the creator is given a choice between making the required changes and taking the work elsewhere). See also MusicIsPolitics, ObviousBeta, MediaWatchdog, MoralGuardians, and AlanSmithee. Compare WhatCouldHaveBeen, WagTheDirector, DevelopmentHell, and {{Vaporware}}. Sometimes, an ObviousRulePatch will be the result of this. Contrast with GettingCrapPastTheRadar and ProtectionFromEditors. ScrewedByTheNetwork, FridayNightDeathSlot, and DumpMonths are similar to the sabotage version, but the work's content is usually left untouched. For fictional examples where one interferes with another's work, see TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup.

May lead to {{Nepotism}} (where someone is given a role solely because they are related to one of the execs), DungeonMastersGirlfriend (where an exec's love interest is given preferential treatment), ViewersAreMorons (where everything has to be explained every time it is mentioned), CreativeDifferences (where the creator and the execs fall out over the work), ExecutiveVeto (where the creator is forbidden to use a particular plot device), RevisedEnding (where the creator is forced to change the work's ending), GetBackInTheCloset (where the creator is forced to remove any homosexual references), ChristmasRushed (where the creator is forced to complete the work by a specific deadline), PublisherChosenTitle (where the work's title is chosen by the execs) and MyWayOrTheHighway (where the creator is given a choice between making the required changes or losing the publisher's backing). See also MusicIsPolitics, ObviousBeta, MediaWatchdog, MoralGuardians, and AlanSmithee. Compare WhatCouldHaveBeen, WagTheDirector, DevelopmentHell, and {{Vaporware}}. Sometimes, an ObviousRulePatch will be the result of this. Contrast with GettingCrapPastTheRadar and ProtectionFromEditors. ScrewedByTheNetwork, FridayNightDeathSlot, and DumpMonths are similar to the sabotage version, but the work's content is usually left untouched. For fictional examples where one interferes with another's work, see TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup.

May lead to {{Nepotism}} (where someone is given a role solely because they are related to one of the execs), DungeonMastersGirlfriend (where an exec's love interest is given preferential treatment), ViewersAreMorons (where everything has to be explained every time it is mentioned), CreativeDifferences (where the creator and the execs fall out over the work), ExecutiveVeto (where the creator is forbidden to use a particular plot device), RevisedEnding (where the creator is forced to change the work's ending), GetBackInTheCloset (where the creator is forced to remove any homosexual references), ChristmasRushed (where the creator is forced to complete the work by a specific deadline), PublisherChosenTitle (where the work's title is chosen by the execs) and MyWayOrTheHighway (where the creator is given a choice between making the required changes and losing the publisher's backing). See also MusicIsPolitics, ObviousBeta, MediaWatchdog, MoralGuardians, and AlanSmithee. Compare WhatCouldHaveBeen, WagTheDirector, DevelopmentHell, and {{Vaporware}}. Sometimes, an ObviousRulePatch will be the result of this. Contrast with GettingCrapPastTheRadar and ProtectionFromEditors. ScrewedByTheNetwork, FridayNightDeathSlot, and DumpMonths are similar to the sabotage version, but the work's content is usually left untouched. For fictional examples where one interferes with another's work, see TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup.

May lead to {{Nepotism}}, DungeonMastersGirlfriend, ViewersAreMorons, CreativeDifferences, ExecutiveVeto, RevisedEnding, GetBackInTheCloset, ChristmasRushed, PublisherChosenTitle and MyWayOrTheHighway. See also MusicIsPolitics, ObviousBeta, MediaWatchdog, MoralGuardians, and AlanSmithee. Compare WhatCouldHaveBeen, WagTheDirector, DevelopmentHell, and {{Vaporware}}. Sometimes, an ObviousRulePatch will be the result of this. Contrast with GettingCrapPastTheRadar and ProtectionFromEditors. ScrewedByTheNetwork, FridayNightDeathSlot, and DumpMonths are similar to the sabotage version, but the work's content is usually left untouched. For fictional examples where one interferes with another's work, see TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup.

May lead to {{Nepotism}}, DungeonMastersGirlfriend, ViewersAreMorons, CreativeDifferences, ExecutiveVeto, RevisedEnding, GetBackInTheCloset, ChristmasRushed, and PublisherChosenTitle. See also MusicIsPolitics, ObviousBeta, MediaWatchdog, MoralGuardians, and AlanSmithee. Compare WhatCouldHaveBeen, WagTheDirector, DevelopmentHell, and {{Vaporware}}. Sometimes, an ObviousRulePatch will be the result of this. Contrast with GettingCrapPastTheRadar and ProtectionFromEditors. ScrewedByTheNetwork, FridayNightDeathSlot, and DumpMonths are similar to the sabotage version, but the work's content is usually left untouched. For fictional examples where one interferes with another's work, see TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup.

May lead to Nepotism, DungeonMastersGirlfriend, ViewersAreMorons, CreativeDifferences, ExecutiveVeto, RevisedEnding, GetBackInTheCloset, ChristmasRushed, and PublisherChosenTitle. See also MusicIsPolitics, ObviousBeta, MediaWatchdog, MoralGuardians, and AlanSmithee. Compare WhatCouldHaveBeen, WagTheDirector, DevelopmentHell, and {{Vaporware}}. Sometimes, an ObviousRulePatch will be the result of this. Contrast with GettingCrapPastTheRadar and ProtectionFromEditors. ScrewedByTheNetwork, FridayNightDeathSlot, and DumpMonths are similar to the sabotage version, but the work's content is usually left untouched. For fictional examples where one interferes with another's work, see TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup.

May lead to DungeonMastersGirlfriend, ViewersAreMorons, CreativeDifferences, ExecutiveVeto, RevisedEnding, GetBackInTheCloset, ChristmasRushed, and PublisherChosenTitle. See also MusicIsPolitics, ObviousBeta, MediaWatchdog, MoralGuardians, and AlanSmithee. Compare WhatCouldHaveBeen, WagTheDirector, DevelopmentHell, and {{Vaporware}}. Sometimes, an ObviousRulePatch will be the result of this. Contrast with GettingCrapPastTheRadar and ProtectionFromEditors. ScrewedByTheNetwork, FridayNightDeathSlot, and DumpMonths are similar to the sabotage version, but the work's content is usually left untouched. For fictional examples where one interferes with another's work, see TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup.

May lead to ViewersAreMorons, CreativeDifferences, ExecutiveVeto, RevisedEnding, GetBackInTheCloset, ChristmasRushed, and PublisherChosenTitle. See also MusicIsPolitics, ObviousBeta, MediaWatchdog, MoralGuardians, and AlanSmithee. Compare WhatCouldHaveBeen, WagTheDirector, DevelopmentHell, and {{Vaporware}}. Sometimes, an ObviousRulePatch will be the result of this. Contrast with GettingCrapPastTheRadar and ProtectionFromEditors. ScrewedByTheNetwork, FridayNightDeathSlot, and DumpMonths are similar to the sabotage version, but the work's content is usually left untouched. For fictional examples where one interferes with another's work, see TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup.

[[quoteright:283:[[Webcomic/RoosterTeethComics https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image_526.jpg]]]]

While this tends to have [[TropesAreTools negative connotations due to the idea that the people calling the shots are not the creative heads, the results can be positive]]. Executives aren't always wrong, after all; just like there are good and bad creators, there are execs that are good at their job and execs that are bad at it. Alternatively, a creator can be inspired by the execs' ideas and make something even better. Creators have the capacity to cause issues because of a CreatorBreakdown, or too much ProtectionFromEditors leaving their ideas unchallenged regardless of their quality, or putting in an unnecessary AuthorFilibuster or WriterOnBoard moment that can taint a work. All of these issues can be stopped if a higher up puts their foot down, and the work can benefit from it. But since when does someone doing their job ''right'' get any attention? No one complains when the system works. However, when something breaks, ''everyone'' knows about it. Also, creators talk much more to the public about the creative process than do the executives, and creators, like most people, tend to like to take credit for what went right and pass blame for what went wrong. As a result, there is reason to believe that harmful cases of executive meddling are rare but over-reported, while helpful executive meddling is common but under-reported.

'''Please remember that TropesAreTools when adding examples.'''

* [[ExecutiveMeddling/{{Film}} Film — Live-Action]]

!!Examples

* Film
** ExecutiveMeddling/AnimatedFilms
** [[ExecutiveMeddling/{{Film}} Live-Action Films]]

While this tends to have [[TropesAreNotGood negative connotations]] due to the idea that the people calling the shots are not the creative heads, the results [[TropesAreNotBad can be positive]]. Executives aren't always wrong, after all; just like there are good and bad creators, there are execs that are good at their job and execs that are bad at it. Alternatively, a creator can be inspired by the execs' ideas and make something even better. Creators have the capacity to cause issues because of a CreatorBreakdown, or too much ProtectionFromEditors leaving their ideas unchallenged regardless of their quality, or putting in an unnecessary AuthorFilibuster or WriterOnBoard moment that can taint a work. All of these issues can be stopped if a higher up puts their foot down, and the work can benefit from it. But since when does someone doing their job ''right'' get any attention? No one complains when the system works. However, when something breaks, ''everyone'' knows about it. Also, creators talk much more to the public about the creative process than do the executives, and creators, like most people, tend to like to take credit for what went right and pass blame for what went wrong. As a result, there is reason to believe that harmful cases of executive meddling are rare but over-reported, while helpful executive meddling is common but under-reported.

While this tends to have [[TropesAreNotGood negative connotations]] due to the idea that the people calling the shots are not the creative heads, the results [[TropesAreNotBad can be positive]]. Executives aren't always wrong, after all; just like there are good and bad creators, there are execs that are good at their job and execs that are bad at it. Alternatively, a creator can be inspired by the execs' ideas and make something even better. Creators have the capacity to cause issues because of a CreatorBreakdown, or too much ProtectionFromEditors leaving their ideas unchallenged regardless of their quality, or putting in an unnecessary AuthorFilibuster or WriterOnBoard moment that can taint a work. All of these issues can be stopped if a higher up puts their foot down, and the work can benefit from it. But since when does someone doing their job ''right'' get any attention? There is a noticeable anti-executive bias, as the times when executive meddling works are rarely reported — no one complains when the system works. However, when something breaks, ''everyone'' knows about it. Additionally, there is reason to believe that harmful cases of executive meddling are rare but over-reported, while helpful executive meddling is common but under-reported: creators talk much more to the public about the creative process than do the executives, and creators, like most people, tend to like to take credit for what went right and pass blame for what went wrong.

In the end, the bottom line... ''is'' the bottom line; it is the Company's best interest to see that their money is well spent, budgets are kept, and the show gets finished by {{Sweeps}} week. Often this means [[ExecutiveVeto vetoing ideas]], or dictating that certain elements be added in. So when the organization behind the creators takes a hand in creation you get this trope: The goal of an executive is to try to steer the show into the direction of profitability.

Sometimes Executive Meddling exists in one show (or movie, or other medium as brought down by the studio or publisher) in order to promote an entirely different show/movie/et cetera on the network/by the same studio/publishing company (or some other event or thing the executives in charge want to promote). This usually manifests itself in the form of {{Crossover}}s and ProductPlacement, among other devices.

While this tends to have [[TropesAreNotGood negative connotations]] due to the idea that the people calling the shots are not the creative heads, the results [[TropesAreNotBad can be positive]]. Executives aren't always wrong, after all; just like there are good and bad creators, there are execs that are good at their job and execs that are bad at it. Alternatively, a Creator can be inspired by the execs' ideas and make something even better. Creators have the capacity to cause issues because of a CreatorBreakdown, or too much ProtectionFromEditors leaving their ideas unchallenged regardless of their quality, or putting in an unnecessary AuthorFilibuster or WriterOnBoard moment that can taint a work. All of these issues can be stopped if a higher up puts their foot down, and the work can benefit from it. But since when does someone doing their job ''right'' get any attention? There is a noticeable anti-executive bias, as the times when ExecutiveMeddling works are rarely reported — no one complains when the system works. However, when something breaks, ''everyone'' knows about it. Additionally, there is reason to believe that harmful cases of executive meddling are rare but over-reported, while helpful executive meddling is common but under-reported: creators talk much more to the public about the creative process than do the executives, and creators, like most people, tend to like to take credit for what went right and pass blame for what went wrong.

These changes tend to come about by ensuring that a work is relatively risk-free. Controversial elements may be removed to preemptively avoid receiving backlash or alienating the audience, while safer alternatives may be added to ensure the viewership is as wide as possible. Less profit-minded executives may change things in an attempt to kill the work outright because they want the show dead for one reason or another, though this isn't common since it's counterproductive to making a profit. It's possible that an executive is a fan of a work's genre, and decided to join in on it because they can spot any flaws before they happen and guide the writers away from them, using an ExecutiveVeto to tell them not to.

Sometimes Executive Meddling exists in one show (or movie, or other medium as brought down by the studio or publisher) in order to promote an entirely different show/movie/et cetera on the network/by the same studio/publishing company (or some other event or thing the executives in charge want to promote). This usually manifests itself in the form of the CrossOver and ProductPlacement, among other devices.

In the end, the bottom line... ''is'' the bottom line; it is the Company's best interest to see that their money is well spent, budgets are kept, and the show gets finished by Sweeps week. Often this means [[ExecutiveVeto vetoing ideas]], or dictating that certain elements be added in. So when the organization behind the creators takes a hand in creation you get this trope: The goal of an executive is to try to steer the show into the direction of profitability.

[[quoteright:300:[[Webcomic/RoosterTeethComics https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image_526.jpg]]]]

* ExecutiveMeddling/{{Anime}}

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May lead to ViewersAreMorons, CreativeDifferences, ExecutiveVeto, RevisedEnding, GetBackInTheCloset, ChristmasRushed, and PublisherChosenTitle. See also MusicIsPolitics, ObviousBeta, MediaWatchdog, MoralGuardians, and AlanSmithee. Compare WhatCouldHaveBeen, WagTheDirector, DevelopmentHell, and {{Vaporware}}. Sometimes, an ObviousRulesPatch will be the result of this. Contrast with GettingCrapPastTheRadar and ProtectionFromEditors. ScrewedByTheNetwork, FridayNightDeathSlot, and DumpMonths are similar to the sabotage version, but the work's content is usually left untouched. For fictional examples where one interferes with another's work, see TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup.