End it already: When cancellation is the best thing that can happen to a TV series - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 05-13-2013, 03:44 AM

http://www.avclub.com/articles/end-i...t-thing,73402/

Quote:

Just because a TV show could go on forever doesn’t mean it should.

James28 · 05-20-2013, 10:14 PM

A terrible thing about long-running scripted shows is that: A good show concludes, A bad show gets to drag on indefinitely. An example of this is animated programs with a sliding timescale such as "The Simpsons" or "South Park" get to keep producing new episodes indefinitely while live-action programs have to end their runs after 8 to 10 seasons. This is injustice, and I have no idea why this happens.

Kane · 05-21-2013, 08:33 AM

I agree with that quote, TMC. A very important rule in scripted shows is that you have to know when to say when. Unfortunately, however, it seems that money and ratings often outweigh the desire to produce high-quality episodes, causing many programs to go on far past their sell-by date - and actually alienate viewers in the process! Just because a TV series is successful doesn't mean that an endless number of seasons have to be shoved down our throats. When it comes to television longevity, nothing is worse than seeing your favorite characters returning for another season just so that someone can get rich or that a network could be #1 in the ratings.

megamanj2004 · 05-22-2013, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kane

I agree with that quote, TMC. A very important rule in scripted shows is that you have to know when to say when. Unfortunately, however, it seems that money and ratings often outweigh the desire to produce high-quality episodes, causing many programs to go on far past their sell-by date - and actually alienate viewers in the process! Just because a TV series is successful doesn't mean that an endless number of seasons have to be shoved down our throats. When it comes to television longevity, nothing is worse than seeing your favorite characters returning for another season just so that someone can get rich or that a network could be #1 in the ratings.

Tell that to FOX. They're just milking The Simpsons for all its worth.

James28 · 05-22-2013, 04:25 PM

A long-running series can hold a TV network back from creating and building all-new series. A network can order all-new series instead of renewing the same old and tired long-running drivel over and over again.

UMFaninMD · 05-22-2013, 07:35 PM

FOX will never drop it, but I think American Idol is way past done.

noveel · 05-23-2013, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megamanj2004

Tell that to FOX. They're just milking The Simpsons for all its worth.

Simpsons is worth more dead than alive, they can't sell reruns to any cable networks while it's still in production

EmoJoe · 05-23-2013, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James28

A terrible thing about long-running scripted shows is that: A good show concludes, A bad show gets to drag on indefinitely. An example of this is animated programs with a sliding timescale such as "The Simpsons" or "South Park" get to keep producing new episodes indefinitely while live-action programs have to end their runs after 8 to 10 seasons. This is injustice, and I have no idea why this happens.

Animated shows are a lot easier to keep going...the characters don't have to age. But The Simpsons definitely should've ended a good 10 years ago.

MikeLutton · 05-23-2013, 05:13 AM

that and Ncis im sorry that show is way past its expiration date along with the simpsons

biffbronson · 05-23-2013, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

Animated shows are a lot easier to keep going...the characters don't have to age. But The Simpsons definitely should've ended a good 10 years ago.

It's funny you mention that because almost exactly 10 years ago, I remember mentioning to someone how I thought they were running out of good story ideas. I never expected it to still be going in 2013!

The popularity of King of the Hill, Family Guy, American Dad, Futurama, etc. probably did a lot to help keep interest going in primetime animation, which obviously is beneficial for Simpsons.

James28 · 05-23-2013, 08:00 AM

Remember King of the Hill? That ran for 13 seasons (debuting in the 1996-97 midseason) and used a "sliding timescale". Declining ratings and popularity caused its cancellation/ending after the 2008-09 season.

MrCleveland · 05-23-2013, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

It's funny you mention that because almost exactly 10 years ago, I remember mentioning to someone how I thought they were running out of good story ideas. I never expected it to still be going in 2013!

The popularity of King of the Hill, Family Guy, American Dad, Futurama, etc. probably did a lot to help keep interest going in primetime animation, which obviously is beneficial for Simpsons.

I stopped watching "The Simpsons" 11 years ago, and they STILL have to have that damn show on...it just isn't funny and seems they can't get the show on cable or Hulu or Netflix. Cancel already, you're like the damn Energizer Bunny which made its debut the same time "The Simpsons" did....

And it got spoofed in a Cleveland sketch show called "Big Chuck and Lil' John"!...

James28 · 05-23-2013, 06:53 PM

You want to know what else needs to end? Scripted TV series with really long hiatuses between seasons (like over a year). Curb Your Enthusiasm is an example of this. The show's most recent season, its 8th, aired in the fall of 2011. It always has to be up to Larry David himself to decide if he wants to film a new season.

gidgetgrape · 05-23-2013, 07:24 PM

Whenever they add a baby or young child, it's time to go!

Retro4Life · 05-23-2013, 08:56 PM

I don't understand the anger at the Simpsons for staying on so long. It's a half hour a week; if you don't like it anymore, don't watch it.

Personally, I don't think it's as good as it was, but it is still vastly better than most of the junk (yes, junk) masquerading as comedy today.

05-20-2013, 10:14 PM	#2
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,985	A terrible thing about long-running scripted shows is that: A good show concludes, A bad show gets to drag on indefinitely. An example of this is animated programs with a sliding timescale such as "The Simpsons" or "South Park" get to keep producing new episodes indefinitely while live-action programs have to end their runs after 8 to 10 seasons. This is injustice, and I have no idea why this happens.
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts Last edited by James28; 05-21-2013 at 02:16 PM.

05-23-2013, 05:13 AM	#9
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,887	that and Ncis im sorry that show is way past its expiration date along with the simpsons
	__________________ Tv And DVD Addict got over a hundred dvds in my collection more than anyone in the neighborhood. also huge Animal lover family man

05-23-2013, 08:00 AM	#11
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,985	Remember King of the Hill? That ran for 13 seasons (debuting in the 1996-97 midseason) and used a "sliding timescale". Declining ratings and popularity caused its cancellation/ending after the 2008-09 season.
	Last edited by James28; 05-23-2013 at 09:00 AM.

05-23-2013, 08:56 PM	#15
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I don't understand the anger at the Simpsons for staying on so long. It's a half hour a week; if you don't like it anymore, don't watch it. Personally, I don't think it's as good as it was, but it is still vastly better than most of the junk (yes, junk) masquerading as comedy today.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

05-21-2013, 08:33 AM	#3
Kane Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 07, 2001 Location: MA, United States Posts: 3,367	I agree with that quote, TMC. A very important rule in scripted shows is that you have to know when to say when. Unfortunately, however, it seems that money and ratings often outweigh the desire to produce high-quality episodes, causing many programs to go on far past their sell-by date - and actually alienate viewers in the process! Just because a TV series is successful doesn't mean that an endless number of seasons have to be shoved down our throats. When it comes to television longevity, nothing is worse than seeing your favorite characters returning for another season just so that someone can get rich or that a network could be #1 in the ratings.

05-22-2013, 04:25 PM	#5
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,985	A long-running series can hold a TV network back from creating and building all-new series. A network can order all-new series instead of renewing the same old and tired long-running drivel over and over again.

05-22-2013, 07:35 PM	#6
UMFaninMD I love a mystery Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,287	FOX will never drop it, but I think American Idol is way past done.

05-23-2013, 06:53 PM	#13
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,985	You want to know what else needs to end? Scripted TV series with really long hiatuses between seasons (like over a year). Curb Your Enthusiasm is an example of this. The show's most recent season, its 8th, aired in the fall of 2011. It always has to be up to Larry David himself to decide if he wants to film a new season.

05-23-2013, 07:24 PM	#14
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,505	Whenever they add a baby or young child, it's time to go!