Step One: Brainstorming: For about four days the show's writers sit around and try coming up with ideas.
Step Two: Story Breaking:For about a day or so, each story is broken down into individual scenes by the writers.
Step Three: Mix ' n' Matching:The toughest part of the process is when the writers have to choose which ideas will be used. (Considering there are usually three story lines in each episode.)
Step Four: Outline : Each writer goes off and does an outline for the episode, and then gets feedback from the producers.
Step Five: First draft The writer has a week to write the script.
Step Six: Tabling This is where all the writers reunite in a room and go through the script line by line, and punch up the jokes to make the script better. This takes around four days.
Step Seven: Table Read : This happens on a Wednesday at noon. The actors sit around a table with the writers and read the script. This way, everyone gets an idea of whats working and whats not.
Step Eight: Thursday Run - Through : After the actors have spent most of the day rehersing their material, they put on a preformance for the writers and producers to see if anything else needs beefing up.
Step Nine: Friday Run - Through : The script is run through again and the network and studio contribute their thoughts.
Step Ten: Monday Camera Blocking The director runs through the show with the cast, telling them which angles they will be shooting on.
Step Eleven: Tuesday Night : The Show is recorded.
Step Twelve: Post-Production : Cutting, re-cutting and mixing the show can take anywhere from a week to three weeks, depending on how close the air date is.
