Doesn't supersizing shows hurt them in syndication? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

jamesanthony · 05-13-2004, 08:49 PM

If an episode of something like say Friends is supersized to run say an extra 3 minutes doesn't that make the episode's plots even more difficult to follow in syndication where it would be edited down so the local station can stick in more commercials? I heard that some shows had episodes that were elongated by as much as 8-9 minutes of story time. Since supersizing has been going on for the past few years can anyone enlighten me on how these extra-long episodes were handled in syndication?

I heard that some syndactors speed up the film instead of editing anything out of the plot. Watching some shows I can't tell what has been edited out and I can't tell if the actors are talking faster than normal.

Dean Winchester · 05-13-2004, 09:19 PM

I compared a Friends episode on DVD to it on syndication, and the episode only ran about 23 mins on DVD (it was the first Bruce Willis episode of season 6), and even then, I noticed a good 2-3 minutes missing. Mostly, they just edited certain scenes for syndication. Like in one scene, Phoebe's sitting in the kitchen in Monica's apartment talking about a book she was writing, it went on for about 40 seconds, but syndication cut that entire part out, and then started later into the scene. And that happened again several times. Small portions of scenes would be cut up a tad.

AKA · 05-13-2004, 09:22 PM

Hey BuffySlayer, how long do the "super-sized" episodes run on DVDs? Do they contain even more footage than that of their original NBC run?

Dean Winchester · 05-13-2004, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA
Hey BuffySlayer, how long do the "super-sized" episodes run on DVDs? Do they contain even more footage than that of their original NBC run?

the Super-Sized ones from season 7 ran anywhere from 27 to 31 mins... I would have to find a website to now if there's more footage or not. I would be interested to see how much would be shaved off.

There should be a website listing the "never before seen" moments on the DVD's, as well as the commonly deleted from syndication ones

AKA · 05-13-2004, 10:00 PM

Cool, thanks!

tvfan0101 · 05-13-2004, 10:03 PM

According to the Friends page at TV Tome, "Super-Sized" episodes ran anywhere between 35 to 40 minutes. In the Season Seven guide there are some notes regarding how this worked out:

Quote:

159. The One Where Rosita Dies
NOTE: When originally aired on NBC, this episode was 40 minutes long, as counter-programming to Survivor II.
This episode runs 27:17 on DVD

Quote:

160. The One Where They All Turn Thirty
NOTE: When originally aired on NBC, this episode was 40 minutes long, as counter-programming to Survivor II.
This episode runs 23:40 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs about 22:00). It appears that a couple of minutes have been shaved off, due to the short running time (unless they showed 16 minutes of commercials on first airing), and a guest actress (Vanessa White) disappearing from the end credits.

Quote:

161. The One With Joey's New Brain
NOTE: When originally aired on NBC, this episode was 40 minutes long, as counter-programming to Survivor II. Although the third "super size" episode aired, this was actually the first one written specifically for a longer time slot. The episode features three acts, as opposed to the normal two. The airing of a 20-minute special featuring Conan O'Brien interviewing the cast and showing outtakes from the series followed the airing of this episode.

Quote:

162. The One With The Truth About London
NOTE: When originally aired on NBC, this episode was 40 minutes long, as counter-programming to Survivor II.
Phoebe's entire story line (she thinks that she has side effects from headache pills) is cut out when this episode airs in syndication.
This episode runs 30:01 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs about 22:00).

http://www.tvtome.com/Friends/season7.html

*GoodMorningCalgary* · 05-13-2004, 10:08 PM

Yeah I was wondering that myself. But I thought it was a stupid question and maybe people would make fun of me if I asked. so I never bothered, But it is a good question......and I still don't know what they do

TMC · 04-25-2016, 11:24 PM

https://t.co/2kSBrLWlLn

Blame streaming TV and basic cable for the rise of “super-sized” TV episodes that refuse to obey time constraints. Comedies that would normally run 20 to 30 minutes can now be 40 minutes, or even longer. It’s not unusual for a basic cable drama episode to surpass one hour. "At best, extended episodes can make room for complexity,” says James Poniewozik. "But focus and showmanship still matter. In a peak-TV era, being able to hook an audience is more important, not less."

05-13-2004, 08:49 PM	#1
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	Doesn't supersizing shows hurt them in syndication? If an episode of something like say Friends is supersized to run say an extra 3 minutes doesn't that make the episode's plots even more difficult to follow in syndication where it would be edited down so the local station can stick in more commercials? I heard that some shows had episodes that were elongated by as much as 8-9 minutes of story time. Since supersizing has been going on for the past few years can anyone enlighten me on how these extra-long episodes were handled in syndication? I heard that some syndactors speed up the film instead of editing anything out of the plot. Watching some shows I can't tell what has been edited out and I can't tell if the actors are talking faster than normal.

05-13-2004, 10:08 PM	#7
GoodMorningCalgary Banana Hammock! Senior Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2002 Location: Sacred Heart Hospital Posts: 1,225	Yeah I was wondering that myself. But I thought it was a stupid question and maybe people would make fun of me if I asked. so I never bothered, But it is a good question......and I still don't know what they do
	__________________ RIP JOHN RITTER 1948-2003 Watch Scrubs on NBC! Tuesdays at 9:00

04-25-2016, 11:24 PM	#8
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,010	Bloated episodes have become an annoying TV problem https://t.co/2kSBrLWlLn Blame streaming TV and basic cable for the rise of “super-sized” TV episodes that refuse to obey time constraints. Comedies that would normally run 20 to 30 minutes can now be 40 minutes, or even longer. It’s not unusual for a basic cable drama episode to surpass one hour. "At best, extended episodes can make room for complexity,” says James Poniewozik. "But focus and showmanship still matter. In a peak-TV era, being able to hook an audience is more important, not less."

05-13-2004, 09:19 PM	#2
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I compared a Friends episode on DVD to it on syndication, and the episode only ran about 23 mins on DVD (it was the first Bruce Willis episode of season 6), and even then, I noticed a good 2-3 minutes missing. Mostly, they just edited certain scenes for syndication. Like in one scene, Phoebe's sitting in the kitchen in Monica's apartment talking about a book she was writing, it went on for about 40 seconds, but syndication cut that entire part out, and then started later into the scene. And that happened again several times. Small portions of scenes would be cut up a tad.

05-13-2004, 09:22 PM	#3
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Hey BuffySlayer, how long do the "super-sized" episodes run on DVDs? Do they contain even more footage than that of their original NBC run?

05-13-2004, 10:00 PM	#5
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Cool, thanks!