I wonder if the makers of some of the abandoned shows (that disappear after SEASON ONE installments) ever consider the fact; many people simply do not like first seasons? In my case I have not bought season one of the Simpsons, I can't stand it.

When they are running numbers, etc, I wonder if this is ever discussed?

Key word in that question is think. These companies are run by bean counters who haven't a clue about the shows they are selling.

Guess that's true. Speaking of this tonight I bought Roseanne Season One after finishing Season 6 recently and needing my "fix". I swore I'd never buy S1 b/c of the edits but it was used for $12, for the whole season and I guess I was weak:( Anyway, this show is a prime example of my above statements. Of course you expect a first season to be a bit slow but after watching the first two eps I would swear on a stack of Highway to Heavens I was either watching an entirely different show, or even a "parity" of Roseanne. Of course as a fan I like it and try to get out of it what I can but it's just so damn bizzare.

I'm guilty of NEVER buying first seasons! Facts of Life, Three's Co, Remington Steele... shows I LOVE but I always feel the season starters are the worst. I like shows that have picked up the pace a little. Dynasty season 1 suffered greatly from this, as the first season is nothing like the rest of the series - I'm not surprised people skipped it.

I do buy season starters of my real faves... Punky and What's Happening.

Trouble is how do you overcome this? I'm having this current problem with Family Ties and One Day At A Time... 2 shows I love dearly and have wanted out for years but I really wanna skip the first season! It's a shame as I will want to buy later seasons.

I think you may have two other exceptions in there:) Family Ties I bought yesterday and am already through disc one! I too thought, or at least feared season one would not be quite up to snuff, well, there I was wrong. It is GREAT. And then a show like Remington Steele where the whole show is set UP on the first episode in my opinion cannot be missed.