Get the 10 Best Television Pilots EVER Written

"The difference between The Sopranos and the shows that came before it was that it was really personal."

David Chase, The Sopranos

"What write wants to make compromises with story? Story is the only reason you're in it."

David Simon, The Wire

"Nothing gives me more of an adrenaline rush than coming up with an idea. I can't sleep if I think of it before I go to bed."

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, The Office

"Television writing is for people who hate being alone more than they hate writing."

Matthew Weiner, Mad Men

Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad

"I'm still learning. It's all a learning curve. Every time you sit down, with any given episode of any given show, it is a learning curve."

Frank Darabont, The Walking Dead

"Writing can be a very isolating profession. You spend a lot of your time barricaded in your house or office, typing on your own."

David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Game of Thrones

"I made True Detective like it was going to be the only thing I ever made -- so put in everything and the kitchen sink. Everything.

Nic Pizzolatto, True Detective

"I always thought the writing process for movies and TV shows was just a blueprint. The making of it was the thing."

Sam Esmail, Mr. Robot

"People haven’t been able to get it even close to right. I was writing this thing as a movie at one point, but every time I would take five steps, some chef would be like, 'Don’t do it, because it’s gonna’ suck.'"

Christopher Storer, The Bear