Murder on Television
Live studio audience. Live crime scene.
- Single set
- Full length, two acts
- Dinner-theatre ready
One of the lightest scripts in the catalog: some salty language and a running double entendre. Language and some references can be adjusted. Read the full content guide.
The sample includes the full cast list, staging notes, and the entire first act.
The story
Fans gather for a live table read of the season finale of Prescription Justice, the long-running hit about two doctors who traded medicine for detective work. When a real crime rocks the cast and crew, the script gets tossed aside, everyone in the room becomes a suspect, and the truth has to be diagnosed one clue at a time.
Every role can be played by any gender, which makes this the easiest script in the catalog to cast. A clever script-within-a-script structure lets the cast play both actors and their TV characters.
Not “itchy nuts!” Itchy… period… nuts… period.
The characters
- Alex Peters Any genderAn arrogant British actor who believes he's the best in the business. Plays Detective Alex Anderson, M.D.
- Jordan Williams Any genderA quirky, germophobic actor: awkward off camera, composed the moment it rolls. Plays Detective Casey Brown, M.D.
- Avery Jackson Any genderThe show's creator and protective director, desperate to secure a renewal.
- Morgan Wilson Any genderAn ex-detective consultant, fed up with the show's lack of realism and only here for the paycheck.
- Sage Moore Any genderA smooth-talking talent agent juggling conflicting deals behind the scenes.
- Extra #1 and Extra #2 Any genderTwo roles whose identities are part of the mystery. Full details are in the script.
- A surprise small role Any genderEasy to recast nightly. Details are in the script.
Production at a glance
| Cast | 7 actors7 any genderPlus a small surprise role you can recast with a different performer each night. |
|---|---|
| Set | Single interior suggesting a studio or table-read space; high stools optional. |
| Costumes | Contemporary, with room for fandom touches. |
| Best for | Conventions and fan events, college programming boards, and community theatres. |
What's in the script
- Set and props notes included, including a rolling chair for safe, easy body removal
- Two roles can be billed as "Extra #1" and "Extra #2" to protect a first-act surprise
- Originally staged as dinner theatre, and adaptable to a traditional stage
- Optional in-character mingling before the show and at intermission
- Intermission guessing game: audiences submit their suspect for a prize drawing
Content guide
One of the lightest scripts in the catalog: some salty language and a running double entendre. Written for adult audiences and not suitable for children's, youth, or school productions. This guide is spoiler-free.
Adjustable. Language and some references can be adjusted for your audience. Ask before you license and Josh will tell you what's possible.
| Category | Level | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Level: Light | Frequent "damn" and "hell"; several uses of "sh*t" and "bullsh*t," plus "bastard." No F-words. |
| Suggestive humor | Level: Light | A running "nuts" double entendre built around a nut allergy. |
| Comedic violence | Level: Light | A comedic onstage attack with a syringe, a described stabbing inside the TV script, and a death. |
| Drinking & substances | Level: None | None to speak of. |
| Bathroom humor | Level: None | Minimal. |
| Audience interaction | Heads-up | The audience plays guests at the table read, and one "volunteer" is brought into the action. |