I'd like to start a new thread. How can I make sure I'm not starting a duplicate thread for the same subject?

We recommend using your favorite search engine to search for "TWoP" plus the show/subject name first since that's a lot simpler. If nothing turns up you can do an extra-thorough check this way:

1. Go to the search page.
2. In the Search by Keywords field, put the name of -- or a word from -- the show (or character, etc) you are searching for (e.g. put "Clone High" or "Clone" for the show Clone High). Asterisks are wildcards, so Clone* will return Clone High, as well as Star Wars: Clone Wars, and Clonemania, if such a show existed.
3. In the Search Where area, choose All Forums, which is at the top of the menu.
4. In the Refine Search > Search posts from... area, choose Any Date.
5. In the Refine Search > Sort results by... area, choose whatever you prefer.
6. In the Refine Search > Search Where area, choose Search titles only.
7. In the Refine Search > Result Type area, choose Show results as topics.

Click Perform the Search.

If you don't get any hits, feel free to start a new thread for that show/character/whatever.

What's a good "list" thread and a bad "list" thread?

Threads that call for -- or produce -- simple, unreasoned lists are bad and will be closed. An example would be TV Characters I'd Like To Have Sex With. Everyone just types in their favorite favourite TV sex bunnies. Yawn. Boring.

Threads that call for -- or create -- genuine dialogue and reasoned examples are most welcome. Past examples include Best Reality Shows of 200X where posters explained why various shows rose to the top of the crop.

Basically, good list topics are ones where people are explaining "why" they listed what they did in a meaningful way.

How do I correctly format an episode-specific thread title?

For episode-specific threads, we use the following format:
4-8: "Football in the Groin" 2002.01.29
where
4-8 is the season number and episode number, followed by a colon (no leading zeros please!)
Football in the Groin is the episode's official title, in quotes
2002.01.29 is the North America airdate in the YYYY.MM.DD format with cute little periods

When you start a new thread, you'll see a link under the thread title blank that you can use to open a template for episode threads. Then you can just fill in the blanks. If you're creating an episode thread for a recapped (or weecapped) show, please use this template; doing so makes it much easier for us to add the link to the recap/weecap later.

You can find title and airdate info at TV Tome, TV Guide, and Zap2It.

For shows with no official titles, use this format: 2-3: 2002.02.24

When is the appropriate time to start an episode-specific thread, and what information should still go in the speculation thread?

Sometimes mods will create an episode thread in advance and "time lock" it so that it opens when the show is scheduled to end. If the mod hasn't done that, you can start one (follow the correct episode-specific format outlined in the forum FAQ), but please do not start episode threads until after the episode has aired in the Eastern time zone in the U.S.

Please note that previews and commercials for the next episode are not about the current episode, and therefore should go to the speculation thread.

Once the episode has aired in its entirety in the Eastern time zone in the U.S., it is fair game. Prior to that time, discussion of an episode must take place in the speculation thread. Do not, however, use the speculation thread (or any other thread) as a chat room during the episode; your posts won't make sense later, and it slows down the server.

How should I format a thread title that is not episode-specific?

Funny thread names are fantastic and appreciated, but remember that other posters will need to be able to find the thread and understand what it's for. So please put the thread's subject first, followed by a tagline or a joke if you like (e.g., "Brock Sampson: Walking Swedish Murder Machine").

What should I do when I'm not sure where to start a thread for a show in the Other TV Talk area?

Some shows are not easy to place in just one genre (eg Sci-Fi, Candid Reality, etc). When you can't figure out where you should put a new thread for a show, start the thread in the Where Does This Show Go area and an admin will give it a home.

Can I start a topic if I have nothing to say myself on the subject?

No! Do not start topics if you have nothing to say. Start the thread off the right way with your opinion and/or some talking points. There's nothing as half-assed as a first message in a thread that says "Discuss."

I missed an episode of a show I like, can I start a thread asking for a copy?

No, sorry, we do not allow requests to make or share copied programs on the site.