When does a comedy/drama become a 'veteran' series - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Mr. Monitor · 01-30-2005, 10:55 PM

Just when exactly does a show become a 'veteran series' anyway?

Dean Winchester · 02-01-2005, 05:16 PM

My guess is around the sixth season

barwars · 02-01-2005, 05:26 PM

I would say the sixth season as well.

Which means the only "veteran" sitcoms on air are....

Will & Grace
Everybody Loves Raymond
The King of Queens
The Simpsons
King of the Hill
That 70s Show
Malcolm in the Middle
and South Park

Superstar · 02-02-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffySlayer79

My guess is around the sixth season

I agree

slackermonkey · 02-02-2005, 04:26 PM

I would go a little lower and say fifth season, because that's usually when a show has hit its peak and also when it becomes sold into syndication.

spunkygirl · 02-02-2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackermonkey

I would go a little lower and say fifth season, because that's usually when a show has hit its peak and also when it becomes sold into syndication.

That's what I would say too, there's a few shows I've seen referred too in their fifth season's as a veteran series

barwars · 02-02-2005, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackermonkey

I would go a little lower and say fifth season, because that's usually when a show has hit its peak and also when it becomes sold into syndication.

Some series can get sold into syndication earlier than that (provided they hit the normal 100 episode mark), that's why I think ABC orders so many episodes for its comedies. They're thinking more about syndication than current ratings, since they own the series anyways.

It is weird how the fifth season of series seems to be the turning point in many cases.

For example....
Cheers -- Diane leaves. The show, although still quite funny, isn't quite as smart as it once was.

Frasier -- The fifth season was the last one to win "Outstanding Comedy Series" at the Emmys. After this, the show adopted story-arcs which were commonly used by other series. Although still funny, those first 5 years won the "Outstanding Comedy Series" Emmys for a reason.

The Andy Griffith Show -- Don Knotts' final season. Once he leaves, it turns to color -- AND SUCKS.

The Dick Van Dyke Show -- was always intended to run only five seasons. Other series should learned to follow this method.... perhaps the only series to never jump the shark.

slackermonkey · 02-02-2005, 09:26 PM

Yeah I know, I was just speaking generally, since most shows hit their hundredth in the fifth year. Some shows are also sold in syndication if they were cancelled before hitting that mark.

Dean Winchester · 02-02-2005, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

The Dick Van Dyke Show -- was always intended to run only five seasons. Other series should learned to follow this method.... perhaps the only series to never jump the shark.

I think the same applies to Taxi as well. It too ended after it's fifth season, and most people agree the show never jumped the shark.

barwars · 02-03-2005, 02:38 PM

I agree about that.

Also.... The Odd Couple.

spunkygirl · 02-03-2005, 05:27 PM

IMO The Adventures of Superman never jumped the shark either

factsoflife · 02-05-2005, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lola Dane

IMO The Adventures of Superman never jumped the shark either

perhaps because it was never anything smart or different to begin with? it never aspired to be anything, so it wasn't able to jump the shark. it was a comic book show and thats it.

spunkygirl · 02-05-2005, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factsoflife

perhaps because it was never anything smart or different to begin with? it never aspired to be anything, so it wasn't able to jump the shark. it was a comic book show and thats it.

Maybe not, but it's still a classic

Ummm obviously, Superman is a comic book character after all

factsoflife · 02-05-2005, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lola Dane

Maybe not, but it's still a classic

Ummm obviously, Superman is a comic book character after all

Well your certainly entitled to your opinon. the only thing noteworthy about that show is Christopher Reeves and Margot Kidder (or is it Kitter)?

Brian Damage · 02-05-2005, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackermonkey

I would go a little lower and say fifth season, because that's usually when a show has hit its peak and also when it becomes sold into syndication.

Exactly, fifth season is really when a show has proven its durability and like slackermonkey said, gets into syndication.

01-30-2005, 10:55 PM	#1
Mr. Monitor Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 27, 2004 Posts: 402	When does a comedy/drama become a 'veteran' series Just when exactly does a show become a 'veteran series' anyway?

02-02-2005, 04:26 PM	#5
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	I would go a little lower and say fifth season, because that's usually when a show has hit its peak and also when it becomes sold into syndication.
	__________________ ...Derek TV on DVD Checklist: 05/09 - Scrubs: The Complete Third Season 05/30 - Joey: The Complete First Season 06/13 - Cheers: The Complete Eighth Season 06/13 - Frasier: The Complete Eighth Season 06/20 - Justice League: Season 2 07/25 - Animaniacs: Volume 1 10/?? - Scrubs: The Complete Fourth Season 12/06 - Animaniacs: Volume 2

02-01-2005, 05:16 PM	#2
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	My guess is around the sixth season

02-01-2005, 05:26 PM	#3
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	I would say the sixth season as well. Which means the only "veteran" sitcoms on air are.... Will & Grace Everybody Loves Raymond The King of Queens The Simpsons King of the Hill That 70s Show Malcolm in the Middle and South Park

02-02-2005, 09:26 PM	#8
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	Yeah I know, I was just speaking generally, since most shows hit their hundredth in the fifth year. Some shows are also sold in syndication if they were cancelled before hitting that mark.

02-03-2005, 02:38 PM	#10
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	I agree about that. Also.... The Odd Couple.

02-03-2005, 05:27 PM	#11
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	IMO The Adventures of Superman never jumped the shark either