Episode Length Question for a 30 minute sitcom - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 02-23-2004, 10:02 AM

When you are counting the length of a 30 minute episode, do you just count the actual episode or from the start of the opening credits to the closing credits? I never count the opening and closing credits because it has nothing to do with the episode. I just think it makes more sense to count the teaser, episode and tag scene. Anyone agree? This is a debate from the Jeffersons board.

Brian Damage · 02-23-2004, 10:06 AM

I count the credits as well.

vashti1999 · 02-23-2004, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Damage
I count the credits as well.

Ditto. If there are X amount of minutes of commercials per half hour show, that's not part of the episode. Any part of a half hour program that's not a commercial or station i.d. is part of the episode, credits too.

barwars · 02-23-2004, 04:53 PM

On some shows.... the tag scene goes with the end credits.
And although it may not be essential to the story line, it does provide some laughs.

A perfect example of this is Frasier.

Sean Snow · 02-23-2004, 06:19 PM

Whenever I time an episode, I count the opening and closing credits. IMO, they are part of the show, unlike the commercials, which (of course) aren't counted.

Penny Lane · 02-25-2004, 04:28 PM

I guess I had never really thought about the credits but yes, it is part of the sitcom .

PZelda · 02-26-2004, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sean Snow
Whenever I time an episode, I count the opening and closing credits. IMO, they are part of the show, unlike the commercials, which (of course) aren't counted.

Exactly.

For example...on Mama's Family... When that show originally debuted, it was on NBC. That was during the 1982-83 (it debuted mid-season, in January '83) and 1983-84 seasons.

Back then, they had an unique opening -- it would start out with Harvey Korman as Alistair Quince, and he would be sitting in a chair...He would then proceed to talk about what the viewers were going to be seeing in the upcoming episode they were about to play...That usually took about 45 seconds to do, THEN they would go to the regular opening credits, THEN to the show itself.

So, yes, IMO, opening/closing credits ARE part of the episode, even if there aren't any "tags" in the closing credits. I'm a REAL stickler for closing credits...I like to be able to see who guested as what, stuff like that...Because in the opening credits of Mama's Family, they don't do that.

02-23-2004, 10:02 AM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,101	Episode Length Question for a 30 minute sitcom When you are counting the length of a 30 minute episode, do you just count the actual episode or from the start of the opening credits to the closing credits? I never count the opening and closing credits because it has nothing to do with the episode. I just think it makes more sense to count the teaser, episode and tag scene. Anyone agree? This is a debate from the Jeffersons board.

02-25-2004, 04:28 PM	#6
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,261	I guess I had never really thought about the credits but yes, it is part of the sitcom .
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

02-23-2004, 10:06 AM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I count the credits as well.

02-23-2004, 04:53 PM	#4
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	On some shows.... the tag scene goes with the end credits. And although it may not be essential to the story line, it does provide some laughs. A perfect example of this is Frasier.

02-23-2004, 06:19 PM	#5
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,408	Whenever I time an episode, I count the opening and closing credits. IMO, they are part of the show, unlike the commercials, which (of course) aren't counted.