# Table Read Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 31, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265 "2015-10-31T15:42:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265/1 "2015-10-31T15:42:19Z")
From what I understand, for TV sitcoms there is usually a table read where actors sit around a table and read through the script. The idea, I think, is to familiarize the actors with the script and to allow the writers and director to test it out to determine what parts work and what parts don’t, and perhaps to discuss technical issues. My question is, do they also do table reads for TV dramas? Would the actors for ‘Fargo’ sit around the table and read the script through out loud before blocking and shooting starts, or are TV dramas treated differently for some reason? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265/2 "2015-10-31T15:48:53Z")
I think so, I’ve certainly read enough stories about TV table reads (these stories often seem to revolve around an actor learning of his/her incipient death before or during the read). In addition to your question, I’d be curious to know if soap operas do them… ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265/3 "2015-10-31T16:10:25Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I think so, I’ve certainly read enough stories about TV table reads (these stories often seem to revolve around an actor learning of his/her incipient death before or during the read). Well, his/her _character’s_ death, one hopes. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265/4 "2015-10-31T16:13:47Z")
Depends on the director but usually. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265/5 "2015-10-31T17:18:55Z")
Most TV fiction does this. Soap operas are an exception, although there are some rehearsals there also. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265/6 "2015-11-01T13:44:38Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I think so, I’ve certainly read enough stories about TV table reads (these stories often seem to revolve around an actor learning of his/her incipient death before or during the read). > > In addition to your question, I’d be curious to know if soap operas do them… > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, his/her _character’s_ death, one hopes. Okay, now I have an idea for a new reality show called “Table Read”… ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265/7 "2015-11-01T15:24:48Z")
I imagine all shows do it but it is a bigger deal in Sitcoms where they are constantly writing and rewriting the jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265/8 "2015-11-01T16:30:47Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > My question is, do they also do table reads for TV dramas? I’ve seen references to table reads for _Breaking Bad_, as [here.](https://www.yahoo.com/tv/bp/15-things-we-learned-from-the-new--breaking-bad--documentary-001529968.html?nf=1) > [@](#): > > The doc shows the “BB” cast and crew reuniting to shoot the final eight episodes and sitting down for a table read of the first of the eight, “Blood Money.” We see Paul and Cranston reading an emotionally wrenching scene, and even though it’s just a table read, Paul is fully invested; we even think we saw tears in his eyes. Do they give out Emmys for table reads? If so, Paul gets our vote. I’m pretty sure it’s standard to do table reads on most shows. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265/9 "2015-11-01T20:08:26Z")
Thanks everyone. Ignorance fought. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-read-question/736265/10 "2015-11-01T20:17:00Z")
Movies, too. There is almost always a first script read-through for any movie, just for folks to meet each other and to hear the movie read through. Lots of notes and dialogue changes are made at these.