The Culture: Book-based TV shows find success

We’re all familiar with the system of turning well-known books into movies. This can either result in a triumphant success, or more fodder for the arguments of those who resolutely complain, “The book is always better.”

A less common method is to transform book series into TV shows. Something about this form of adaptation seems destined for success. Consequently, there are many popular TV programs that started as novels.

This is a smart idea for television producers — the hard work has already been done for them. Let those novelists try out new stuff, come up with the premise and characters. Then all the TV networks have to do is weed through bestselling books, pick the best ones and turn them into shows.

“The Vampire Diaries” is a perfect example of the value of this method. I like this show so much that when the first season ended, I ran right to the Hopkins Barnes & Noble bookstore to pick up book number one.

“The Vampire Diaries” is a case where television transcends literature. In fact, the books were a huge let-down. They are poorly written and the characters are barely developed. The author, L.J. Smith, creates what is essentially an immature outline of an interesting concept. Maybe this isn’t a problem for preteens, but I don’t recommend the books for anyone out of their freshman year of high school.

On the other hand, I commend the producers of “The Vampire Diaries” for finding some promising material. The books definitely lay the groundwork for a successful series.

The premise of two brothers in love with the same girl is compelling. The tension between the characters is just interesting enough to keep you hooked. Upon developing the TV show, the writers took these grains, gave them sunlight and let them grow. Under a more talented team than the books’ original author, “The Vampire Diaries” has become something great.

Another fantastic set of vampire novels turned television series is HBO’s “True Blood.” This one comes from Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse novels. As I did with “The Vampire Diaries,” I started with the show and then ran straight to the Hopkins bookstore to get the books. They were perfect to fill the void when I finished the first season.

In this case, both the books and the TV show are excellent. But if I had to choose, I’d say I prefer the novels. Book-Sookie is funnier and more charming. “True Blood” on TV is also more graphically violent and sexual than its parent book series (this is HBO, after all). But either way you access incarnations of Harris’ “Southern Vampire” series, it’s sure to be good quality entertainment.

Another TV show that directed me toward its ancestral series of books is Showtime’s “Dexter.” Now this is some of the best television I’ve ever seen. After I watched the first two seasons, I was afraid I’d never be able to enjoy another show again. It’s that good.

Of course I had to try out the books as well. They are a decent read, and you have to give Jeff Lindsay credit for the concept. It’s a genius premise: a story told from the perspective of a sympathetic serial killer who kills other killers. It’s a great outlet to explore human psychology.

But the TV show is much better. Michael C. Hall’s Dexter is more conflicted and compelling than his novel counterpart. The Showtime series goes places the novels could only suggest.

There are a few other shows whose origins can be traced back to books. I’d like to give two of these honorable mention.

First, “Gossip Girl.” This started out as a book series that my friends read in junior high. I have no experience with the books or the television show, but I understand they’re both very successful.

“Pretty Little Liars” is another one of those teen/young adult book series that made its way to the small screen. I don’t know the books, but the show is surprisingly good. Granted, the dialogue is awkward and the acting can be downright embarrassing, but something about the murder and mystery keep me coming back. This is most likely a testament to Sara Sheperd, the author of the novels. She created an intricate road map for the show to follow, but the writers also feel free to divert from it with inspiring results.

So, turning books into TV can be a very lucrative endeavor. If history is any indicator, the television show will probably be even better than its novelistic inspiration. Also, I’ll probably really like it and immediately buy the books.