Most Number of Episodes in a Sitcom's Season 1970-today? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JulieSomoski · 11-03-2007, 10:41 PM

Here's a curiosity question that just popped in my head. In the 50's and 60's, a lot of shows had up to 35 episodes in their seasons. But, what show after 1970 had the most number of episodes?

I kow According to Jim had 29 episodes in it's third season awhile back, which is a lot for just a few years ago. Then 8 Simple Rules and Grounded for Life both had 28 episodes in 1 of their seasons. Did any show have more than that?

Skywalker · 11-03-2007, 11:41 PM

The Fifth season of Family Ties had 30 episodes. It should be noted however, that a few of the episodes were produced during the 4th season but for some reason, didn't air until the fifth season.

Dean Winchester · 11-04-2007, 12:41 AM

not a sitcom, but Melrose Place had something like 35 episodes a season when it was in it's peak, this is the main reason why I don't understand why shows like Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey's Anatomy which are the "prime time soaps" of the current time (ok, Lost isn't really a soap, but it's the type of show that you need to see each episode) won't expand to 30-32 episodes a season instead of a boring 20-23 number.

JulieSomoski · 11-04-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

The Fifth season of Family Ties had 30 episodes. It should be noted however, that a few of the episodes were produced during the 4th season but for some reason, didn't air until the fifth season.

I forgot about that one.

JulieSomoski · 11-04-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Winchester

not a sitcom, but Melrose Place had something like 35 episodes a season when it was in it's peak, this is the main reason why I don't understand why shows like Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey's Anatomy which are the "prime time soaps" of the current time (ok, Lost isn't really a soap, but it's the type of show that you need to see each episode) won't expand to 30-32 episodes a season instead of a boring 20-23 number.

You're exactly right. If a show is doing close to 20 million an episode, bringing in wonderful ratings for the network, I don't understand why they don't expand their seasons to anywhere from 28-35 episodes a season. having only 22 leaves with tons of repeats, which no one likes seeing.

Pavan · 11-04-2007, 02:39 PM

Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy have usually 23 (23-25 usually) or more episodes a season, and that is a lot for a drama these days. It costs a lot to make. Melrose Place and 90210 had a lot of episodes because it was pretty cheap to make.

JulieSomoski · 11-04-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy have usually 23 (23-25 usually) or more episodes a season, and that is a lot for a drama these days. It costs a lot to make. Melrose Place and 90210 had a lot of episodes because it was pretty cheap to make.

But both are the highest rated shows for ABC. Even though they cost a lot to make, wouldn't having more episodes make money for ABC?

Although, it would allow the show to run out of storylines more quickly.

Pavan · 11-04-2007, 02:45 PM

Not really. The production value is very high and the ratings really don't matter on the costs. I think 24 or 25 episodes is perfect...we do get a few extra a season that is worth it. Close to 30 or over that would cost a fortune and they probably would lose money, since the production cost is high.

JulieSomoski · 11-04-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

Not really. The production value is very high and the ratings really don't matter on the costs. I think 24 or 25 episodes is perfect...we do get a few extra a season that is worth it. Close to 30 or over that would cost a fortune and they probably would lose money, since the production cost is high.

So shows like 8 Simple Rules and According to Jim aren't that expensive to make, which is why they're seasons got close to 30 episodes. That's easy to understand, since sitcoms are generally less expensive than dramas.

Dean Winchester · 11-04-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

Not really. The production value is very high and the ratings really don't matter on the costs. I think 24 or 25 episodes is perfect...we do get a few extra a season that is worth it. Close to 30 or over that would cost a fortune and they probably would lose money, since the production cost is high.

well, shows like Housewives and Grey's suffer when there's a "non-sweeps" gap of 6-8 weeks between episodes. I've heard a lot of comments that Lost ended up losing so many viewers by those gaps in the second season that it is why they are now doing the "24" thing and holding it off a bit so they can air each episode on a weekly basis.

Shows like DH and GA have such long gaps in between episodes that it's easy to lose interest. Dallas and Dynasty could do over 30 episodes a season in the 80's when they were the #1 shows on TV, why not Housewives? They knew that Dallas was a show that needed a new episode every week instead of taking the months of December, January and March (and some of April) off and by the time the episodes come back, it almost feels like you're into a new season already since enough time has elapsed.

JulieSomoski · 11-04-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Winchester

well, shows like Housewives and Grey's suffer when there's a "non-sweeps" gap of 6-8 weeks between episodes. I've heard a lot of comments that Lost ended up losing so many viewers by those gaps in the second season that it is why they are now doing the "24" thing and holding it off a bit so they can air each episode on a weekly basis.

Shows like DH and GA have such long gaps in between episodes that it's easy to lose interest. Dallas and Dynasty could do over 30 episodes a season in the 80's when they were the #1 shows on TV, why not Housewives? They knew that Dallas was a show that needed a new episode every week instead of taking the months of December, January and March (and some of April) off and by the time the episodes come back, it almost feels like you're into a new season already since enough time has elapsed.

But DH and GA both have new episodes on regularly. There was the one season DH didn't have a new episodes for like 5 weeks I believe, but that was the most it ever was for both shows.

Buffyboy323 · 11-04-2007, 04:45 PM

I think it was said that The Office will have a total of 30 episodes by the end of this season. I don't think this strike will go on too long, so we might end up still getting that many.

Dean Winchester · 11-04-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffyboy323

I think it was said that The Office will have a total of 30 episodes by the end of this season. I don't think this strike will go on too long, so we might end up still getting that many.

if they can do 30 Office's a season, they can do 30 Grey's, Lost's or Housewives'. I bet Steve Carell makes more an episode than anyone from those three shows because NBC knows he could pull the plug at anytime because he has a huge movie career that he wouldn't look back at television, whereas I don't think anyone from those three shows, not even Eva Longoria, would quit the show for a film career because she knows it could be a David Caruso type of case and she'd be washed up within two years.

Pavan · 11-04-2007, 09:05 PM

The Office is not nearly as expensive as GA or DH. Scrubs probably costs much more than The Office. Sitcoms are usually cheaper, especially multi-camera ones. There are some cheaper dramas out there such as October Road and Men in Trees...they can order a lot of episodes, if they wish to.

11-03-2007, 10:41 PM	#1
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	Most Number of Episodes in a Sitcom's Season 1970-today? Here's a curiosity question that just popped in my head. In the 50's and 60's, a lot of shows had up to 35 episodes in their seasons. But, what show after 1970 had the most number of episodes? I kow According to Jim had 29 episodes in it's third season awhile back, which is a lot for just a few years ago. Then 8 Simple Rules and Grounded for Life both had 28 episodes in 1 of their seasons. Did any show have more than that?
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11-04-2007, 02:39 PM	#6
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy have usually 23 (23-25 usually) or more episodes a season, and that is a lot for a drama these days. It costs a lot to make. Melrose Place and 90210 had a lot of episodes because it was pretty cheap to make.
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11-03-2007, 11:41 PM	#2
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	The Fifth season of Family Ties had 30 episodes. It should be noted however, that a few of the episodes were produced during the 4th season but for some reason, didn't air until the fifth season.

11-04-2007, 12:41 AM	#3
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	not a sitcom, but Melrose Place had something like 35 episodes a season when it was in it's peak, this is the main reason why I don't understand why shows like Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey's Anatomy which are the "prime time soaps" of the current time (ok, Lost isn't really a soap, but it's the type of show that you need to see each episode) won't expand to 30-32 episodes a season instead of a boring 20-23 number.

11-04-2007, 02:45 PM	#8
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	Not really. The production value is very high and the ratings really don't matter on the costs. I think 24 or 25 episodes is perfect...we do get a few extra a season that is worth it. Close to 30 or over that would cost a fortune and they probably would lose money, since the production cost is high.

11-04-2007, 04:45 PM	#12
Buffyboy323 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 6,102	I think it was said that The Office will have a total of 30 episodes by the end of this season. I don't think this strike will go on too long, so we might end up still getting that many.

11-04-2007, 09:05 PM	#14
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	The Office is not nearly as expensive as GA or DH. Scrubs probably costs much more than The Office. Sitcoms are usually cheaper, especially multi-camera ones. There are some cheaper dramas out there such as October Road and Men in Trees...they can order a lot of episodes, if they wish to.