Network Comedies’ Future Threatened By Outdated Broadcast Business Model - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

IllinoisTVFan · 08-28-2020, 03:36 PM

Article about how comedies aren't as popular in general and not as likely to get syndicated: https://deadline.com/2020/08/broadca...9378/#comments

icecream · 08-28-2020, 03:43 PM

One of the key things mentioned was single camera shows being so much more expensive than multi camera shows. So why not just start making more multi camera comedies again?

IllinoisTVFan · 08-28-2020, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

One of the key things mentioned was single camera shows being so much more expensive than multi camera shows. So why not just start making more multi camera comedies again?

Yeah you would think they would do that then. I do know looking at ratings most of the sitcoms of the last 10-15 years haven't been much of hits (only a few are really) and most of them got cancelled early on.

JustaViewer · 08-28-2020, 04:45 PM

Why not follow the British model? Six to eight episodes a season.

icecream · 08-28-2020, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustaViewer

Why not follow the British model? Six to eight episodes a season.

That is a horrible model. Nothing would ever get to syndication that way.

IllinoisTVFan · 08-28-2020, 04:49 PM

I honestly think it's heading that way. Years ago many shows had at times up to 30+ episodes a year (for example the Honeymooners had 39 episodes in one season). Then in the early 70's, maybe a bit earlier but 22-24 episodes became the standard amount. Now many shows have much less, for example This Is Us, which is a HUGE hit only gets 18 episodes a year.

icecream · 08-28-2020, 04:58 PM

18 episodes for This is Us still isn't too far under the standard 22 episode season. 6-8 is less than half that total.

JustaViewer · 08-28-2020, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllinoisTVFan

I honestly think it's heading that way. Years ago many shows had at times up to 30+ episodes a year (for example the Honeymooners had 39 episodes in one season). Then in the early 70's, maybe a bit earlier but 22-24 episodes became the standard amount. Now many shows have much less, for example This Is Us, which is a HUGE hit only gets 18 episodes a year.

Those models were brought over from radio, which demanded a half-hour of airtime for a certain period of time. Scripts were rushed many times to do just that. So bad scripts would get through just to fill the slot.
There are advantages to the Brit model. Richard Curtis (Blackadder) said in an interview once that it forces you to put your best stuff forward since you only have a limited amount of episodes.
It doesn't mean you'll have a funny show. But at least you'll know pretty fast whether its worth watching.

JustaViewer · 08-28-2020, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

That is a horrible model. Nothing would ever get to syndication that way.

Streaming has changed the rules.

LUNCH · 08-28-2020, 06:01 PM

I don't watch modern or current TV. However don't all types of shows they make these days do very poorly as far as the amount of viewers go? This may sound a little extreme but I don't see why they even bother making any new shows at all.

JustaViewer · 08-28-2020, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

I don't watch modern or current TV. However don't all types of shows they make these days do very poorly as far as the amount of viewers go? This may sound a little extreme but I don't see why they even bother making any new shows at all.

Modern network and cable TV is aimed toward the 50+ audience.

Charley Knox · 08-28-2020, 09:42 PM

Too much political correctness is choking the life out of the modern sitcom. Can't have shows like Seinfeld or Three's Company in this day and age.

Heenan Fan · 08-29-2020, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charley Knox

Too much political correctness is choking the life out of the modern sitcom. Can't have shows like Seinfeld or Three's Company in this day and age.

^THIS

Babalu · 08-29-2020, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charley Knox

Too much political correctness is choking the life out of the modern sitcom. Can't have shows like Seinfeld or Three's Company in this day and age.

Exactly. Especially after what's going on now.

JustaViewer · 08-29-2020, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charley Knox

Too much political correctness is choking the life out of the modern sitcom. Can't have shows like Seinfeld or Three's Company in this day and age.

Give me some specific examples to what you are claiming.

08-28-2020, 03:36 PM	#1
IllinoisTVFan Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 22, 2011 Location: South of Chicago Posts: 4,072	Network Comedies’ Future Threatened By Outdated Broadcast Business Model Article about how comedies aren't as popular in general and not as likely to get syndicated: https://deadline.com/2020/08/broadca...9378/#comments
	Last edited by IllinoisTVFan; 08-28-2020 at 04:51 PM.

08-28-2020, 03:43 PM	#2
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,691	One of the key things mentioned was single camera shows being so much more expensive than multi camera shows. So why not just start making more multi camera comedies again?
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

08-28-2020, 04:45 PM	#4
JustaViewer Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 14, 2015 Posts: 64	Why not follow the British model? Six to eight episodes a season.

08-28-2020, 04:49 PM	#6
IllinoisTVFan Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 22, 2011 Location: South of Chicago Posts: 4,072	I honestly think it's heading that way. Years ago many shows had at times up to 30+ episodes a year (for example the Honeymooners had 39 episodes in one season). Then in the early 70's, maybe a bit earlier but 22-24 episodes became the standard amount. Now many shows have much less, for example This Is Us, which is a HUGE hit only gets 18 episodes a year.

08-28-2020, 04:58 PM	#7
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,691	18 episodes for This is Us still isn't too far under the standard 22 episode season. 6-8 is less than half that total.

08-28-2020, 06:01 PM	#10
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	I don't watch modern or current TV. However don't all types of shows they make these days do very poorly as far as the amount of viewers go? This may sound a little extreme but I don't see why they even bother making any new shows at all.

08-28-2020, 09:42 PM	#12
Charley Knox Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 09, 2019 Location: Tn Posts: 634	Too much political correctness is choking the life out of the modern sitcom. Can't have shows like Seinfeld or Three's Company in this day and age.