Citing shows accurately is essential for academic integrity and proper attribution, typically involving specific details about the episode, series, and production, all formatted according to a chosen citation style.
While the exact format varies depending on the citation style you're using (such as MLA, APA, or Chicago), the fundamental goal is to provide enough information for your readers to easily locate the specific show or episode you referenced. These citations usually include elements like the episode title, series title, creators, production details, and the date or platform of access.
Core Components of a Show Citation
Regardless of the specific style guide, most academic citations for television shows require a consistent set of details. A comprehensive approach often includes the following:
- Episode Title: The specific name of the individual episode.
- Series Title: The official name of the television series.
- Creator: The name of the primary individual(s) credited with creating the series (e.g., "created by Jane Doe").
- Season and Episode Numbers: Identifiers for where the episode falls within the series run.
- Production Company: The studio or company responsible for producing the show.
- Original Air Date: The date the episode first aired.
- Source/Platform: The specific platform or service where you accessed the show (e.g., Netflix, HBO Max, DVD) and its URL if accessed online.
General Comprehensive Format Example
A thorough citation, incorporating all key details, might look like this:
“Crisis on Two Earths.” Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, created by Dwayne McDuffie, season 1, episode 1, Warner Bros. Animation, 23 February 2010. HBO Max, max.com/justice-league-crisis-on-two-earths.
This format provides a complete record, helping readers trace the source accurately.
Citing Shows in Popular Academic Styles
Different academic disciplines and institutions typically adhere to specific citation styles. Below is a breakdown of how to cite television shows in the most common styles, including examples for clarity.
H2: MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
MLA style is frequently used in the humanities. When citing a single episode of a television series, MLA focuses on providing the episode title, series title, creator, production company, original air date, and the streaming service or medium of access.
Format (for an episode accessed via streaming):
"Episode Title." Series Title, created by Creator's First Name Last Name, season #, episode #, Production Company, Day Month Year. Streaming Service, URL.
Example:
"The One Where Everybody Finds Out." Friends, created by David Crane, Marta Kauffman, and Kevin Bright, season 5, episode 14, Warner Bros. Television, 11 February 1999. HBO Max, www.max.com/shows/friends/series/56b4f762-b13c-443b-826c-d2279165d207.
In-Text Citation:
(Series Title Episode #) or (Episode Title)
Example: (Friends 5.14) or ("The One Where Everybody Finds Out")
H2: APA (American Psychological Association) Style
APA style is commonly used in social sciences. It emphasizes the writer(s) and director(s) of the episode, the series producer, the original air date, and the production company. For streaming, a URL is included.
Format (for a specific episode):
Writer, W. W. (Writer), & Director, D. D. (Director). (Original Air Date). Episode title [TV series episode]. In P. P. Producer (Executive Producer), Series title. Production company. Streaming Service. URL.
Example:
Cohan, J. (Writer), & Whittington, B. (Director). (2015, September 24). Advanced Safety Features [TV series episode]. In D. Shore & D. Foster (Executive Producers), House. Universal Television. Amazon Prime Video. www.amazon.com/House-M-D-Season-1/dp/B000P0L72O
In-Text Citation:
(Writer & Director, Year)
Example: (Cohan & Whittington, 2015)
H2: Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style) Style
Chicago style is preferred in history and some humanities. It offers flexibility for notes (footnotes/endnotes) and bibliography entries. Citations can be quite detailed, including information about the original network, production company, and specific dates.
Format (Footnote/Endnote):
. "Episode Title," Series Title, season #, episode #, directed by Director Name, written by Writer Name (Original Air Date; City, State: Production Company, Original Network, Year), streaming service, URL.
Format (Bibliography - for an entire series):
Series Title. Created by Creator Name(s). Production Company, Original Air Date range. Streaming Service, URL.
Example (Footnote for an episode):
- "Pine Barrens," The Sopranos, season 3, episode 11, directed by Steve Buscemi, written by Terence Winter and Tim Van Patten (April 29, 2001; New York: HBO), HBO Max, www.max.com/shows/the-sopranos/series/5a420999-6330-4e36-a14a-500b17134440.
Example (Bibliography for a series):
The Sopranos. Created by David Chase. HBO, 1999–2007. HBO Max, www.max.com/shows/the-sopranos/series/5a420999-6330-4e36-a14a-500b17134440.
In-Text Citation:
(Shortened note number, or in prose, Series Title, "Episode Title")
Example: (1, The Sopranos, "Pine Barrens")
Comparison of Citation Styles for TV Shows
| Feature / Style | MLA | APA | Chicago (Notes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Episode title, series, creators, production, access. | Episode writers/directors, series producer, original air date, production company, access. | Detailed notes with all contributors, dates, locations; series-level bibliography. |
| Key Elements | "Episode Title." Series Title, created by Creator. | Writer(s), Director(s). (Date). Episode Title [TV episode]. In Producer, Series Title. | #. "Episode Title," Series Title, season #, episode #, directed by Director, written by Writer (Date; City: Prod. Co., Network), streaming, URL. |
| Original Air Date | Included. | Included. | Included. |
| Creators | "created by Creator Name" | Episode writer(s) and director(s) are primary; series producer in the 'In' clause. | Director, writer, and creators. |
| Streaming/URL | Streaming Service, URL. | Streaming Service. URL. | streaming service, URL. |
| In-Text | (Series Title Season.Episode) or ("Episode Title") | (Writer & Director, Year) | (Note #) or (Series Title, "Episode Title") |
Practical Tips for Citing Shows
- Be Consistent: Once you choose a citation style, stick to it throughout your entire work.
- Consult the Latest Guides: Citation styles are periodically updated. Always refer to the most recent edition of the official MLA Handbook, APA Publication Manual, or Chicago Manual of Style. Resources like Purdue OWL also offer excellent, up-to-date guidance.
- Missing Information: If certain details like a specific director or writer for an episode are not readily available, omit them and proceed with the next available information. Do not make up information.
- Online vs. Broadcast: For shows accessed via streaming, include the streaming service and URL. If you watched a broadcast, include the network and original air date.
- In-Text Citations: Remember to include corresponding in-text citations or footnotes/endnotes whenever you reference or quote from a show in your writing.
By following these guidelines and adapting to the requirements of your chosen style, you can accurately and effectively cite television shows in your academic work.
