The Art of Naming: Why Some TV Shows and Movies Shun Descriptive Titles

When it comes to naming TV shows and movies, there are two very different approaches: some titles are designed to be descriptive and clear, while others intentionally obscure the story or star.

Descriptive Titles in TV Shows

TV shows, especially those that are more straightforward in their plot or focus, often have titles that are quite revealing. You can usually guess the main character or the theme just from the title. For example:

NCIS - The Naval Crime Investigative Services
INVESTIGATE NAVAL CRIMES SEINFELD
GUY NAMED SEINFELD, STARS JERRY SEINFELD WHO’S THE BOSS?
HILARITY AROUND WHO IS THE BOSS OF AN EXTENDED FAMILY TAXI
TAKES PLACE AT A CAB COMPANY SCANDAL
SCANDALOUS THINGS HAPPEN

With TV shows, the naming often reflects a clear and straightforward storyline or character focus. These titles are designed to give viewers an immediate idea of what to expect from the show.

Obfuscating Titles in Movies

Movies, however, often prefer to be more enigmatic. They might want to captivate the viewer with an intriguing title that hints at the film's mystery or excitement without giving too much away. Here are a few examples:

DIE HARD - No hint, just raw excitement BIG - Vague, but intriguing DJANGO UNCHAINED - Specific, but still intriguing AVATAR - Universal and mysterious THE PURGE - Transgressions and turbulence hinted at SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION - Specific, but the audience often knows the story

These movies use titles that are often designed to intrigue and pique the curiosity of viewers. They are meant to be somewhat vague yet intriguing so that potential audiences can't resist clicking or watching the trailer.

When Titles Mislead: Badly Named Shows and Misleading Titles

However, not all titles are created equal. Sometimes, a movie or TV show might receive a title that is poorly chosen, misleading, or just plain confusing:

Ernest Saves Christmas - This movie is often held up as an example of a poorly named, over-the-top, and misleading film. It's more about a man trying to become a father than a straightforward Christmas story. Jackass: Dude, Where's My Car? - This is another prime example where the title barely relates to the content, focusing instead on shock value and spectacle.

These examples illustrate how titles can sometimes drive expectations in ways that aren't met. In the digital age, where a title is often the first thing a viewer sees, these misfires can be both costly and humorous.

SEO Optimization and Title Accuracy

For SEO purposes, it's essential to ensure that a title accurately reflects the content of a video. After all, a poorly named piece of content can lead to a high bounce rate and low engagement, which can affect ranking in search engine results. Here are a few points to consider when optimizing titles for SEO:

Clarity and Relevance: Make sure the title is clear and relevant to the content. Use keywords that accurately describe the video’s content. Engage Your Audience: Titles should be engaging and pique curiosity. They should make the viewer want to click and watch the content. Character Limit: Make sure to stay within the character limit for titles on different platforms (e.g., 60 characters for YouTube). Seasonal and Trending Keywords: Incorporate seasonal or trending keywords that align with the content to improve discoverability.

Ultimately, a balance must be struck between being descriptive enough to be accurate and vague enough to be intriguing. The goal is to create a title that not only accurately reflects the content but also entices users to engage with it.

Conclusion

Title choice is a delicate art, and the choice can significantly impact both audience reception and SEO performance. By understanding the art of naming TV shows and movies, content creators and marketers can better optimize their titles for success and engagement.