Why do network midseason sitcoms often fail? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 03-15-2014, 12:51 AM

http://www.thewire.com/entertainment...nymore/359180/

Few midseason comedies have survived in recent years.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#FTZKDS2KlxsOMQvd.99

EmoJoe · 03-15-2014, 02:08 AM

It's always sort of been the thought process that midseason shows are the "backup" shows for the better fall crop.

It doesn't always hold true...but it often does. I would actually say it's *less* true now that cable is beginning to break the idea of the traditional TV season.

It could also be that ratings are generally higher in the fall than the spring.

tlc38tlc38 · 03-15-2014, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

It could also be that ratings are generally higher in the fall than the spring.

I would agree with this because I watch way more TV in the fall/winter than I do in the spring/summer. I'm usually out doing yard work and such in the spring and enjoying the sunshine.

Marvo301 · 03-15-2014, 03:02 PM

I think mid-season shows have trouble finding an audience because because viewers already have their viewing schedule mapped out.

TVFactFan · 03-15-2014, 03:45 PM

Wasn't the case in the 70's

All in the Family
Jeffersons
Laverne and Shirley
Three's company
Ropers

ThomasE · 03-15-2014, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Wasn't the case in the 70's

All in the Family
Jeffersons
Laverne and Shirley
Three's company
Ropers

Yep. I was thinking of Three's Company. I said to myself, "Three's Company" worked.

TVFactFan · 03-15-2014, 08:30 PM

From the 2000 decade

The Office worked and George Lopez worked

ThomasE · 03-15-2014, 09:02 PM

Don't forget "My Wife And Kids".

From the 1990's "Dinosaurs" and "Seinfeld".

TVFactFan · 03-15-2014, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasE

Don't forget "My Wife And Kids".

From the 1990's "Dinosaurs" and "Seinfeld".

My Wife and Kids

ThomasE · 03-15-2014, 09:20 PM

But it stated for almost five years. So some others weren't barfing as much.

EmoJoe · 03-16-2014, 01:04 AM

Seinfeld actually started out as a summer show, didn't it? Now there's a rarity. (for network TV, anyway)

TVFactFan · 03-16-2014, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

Seinfeld actually started out as a summer show, didn't it? Now there's a rarity. (for network TV, anyway)

it started out as a summer show and midseason replacement. It wasn't add to the fall schedule until it's 3rd season

Cyrax · 03-16-2014, 03:28 AM

Of course it's based on personal taste and cannot be objective but in the past several years I felt they are almost always "worse" than the Fall premieres: Mr. Sunshine, Perfect Couples, Friends With Benefits (was a Summer burn off), Are You There Chelsea?, Best Friends Forever, Bent, Work It, Rob, How To Live With Your Parents (For The Rest Of Your Life), Family Tools, 1600 Penn, Enlisted and Growing Up Fisher were all a letdown for me (there were a couple of more failed FOX sitcoms like Traffic Lights and Breaking In that I did not bother with).

I only recall Mad Love, Don't Trust The Bitch In Apartment 23, Save Me (Summer burn-off) and now About A Boy & Mixology that are somewhat better for me. And I guess Happy Endings would be in this group too but that one I haven't got around to watch yet.

visaman666 · 03-16-2014, 08:49 AM

Joanie Loves Chachi anyone?

TVFactFan · 03-16-2014, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visaman666

Joanie Loves Chachi anyone?

Wasn't a real midseason sitcom

03-15-2014, 12:51 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,743	Why do network midseason sitcoms often fail? http://www.thewire.com/entertainment...nymore/359180/ Few midseason comedies have survived in recent years. Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#FTZKDS2KlxsOMQvd.99

03-15-2014, 02:08 AM	#2
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	It's always sort of been the thought process that midseason shows are the "backup" shows for the better fall crop. It doesn't always hold true...but it often does. I would actually say it's less true now that cable is beginning to break the idea of the traditional TV season. It could also be that ratings are generally higher in the fall than the spring.
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

03-15-2014, 03:02 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	I think mid-season shows have trouble finding an audience because because viewers already have their viewing schedule mapped out.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

03-15-2014, 03:45 PM	#5
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,102	Wasn't the case in the 70's All in the Family Jeffersons Laverne and Shirley Three's company Ropers

03-15-2014, 08:30 PM	#7
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,102	From the 2000 decade The Office worked and George Lopez worked

03-15-2014, 09:02 PM	#8
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Don't forget "My Wife And Kids". From the 1990's "Dinosaurs" and "Seinfeld".

03-15-2014, 09:20 PM	#10
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	But it stated for almost five years. So some others weren't barfing as much.

03-16-2014, 01:04 AM	#11
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	Seinfeld actually started out as a summer show, didn't it? Now there's a rarity. (for network TV, anyway)

03-16-2014, 03:28 AM	#13
Cyrax Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Posts: 221	Of course it's based on personal taste and cannot be objective but in the past several years I felt they are almost always "worse" than the Fall premieres: Mr. Sunshine, Perfect Couples, Friends With Benefits (was a Summer burn off), Are You There Chelsea?, Best Friends Forever, Bent, Work It, Rob, How To Live With Your Parents (For The Rest Of Your Life), Family Tools, 1600 Penn, Enlisted and Growing Up Fisher were all a letdown for me (there were a couple of more failed FOX sitcoms like Traffic Lights and Breaking In that I did not bother with). I only recall Mad Love, Don't Trust The Bitch In Apartment 23, Save Me (Summer burn-off) and now About A Boy & Mixology that are somewhat better for me. And I guess Happy Endings would be in this group too but that one I haven't got around to watch yet.

03-16-2014, 08:49 AM	#14
visaman666 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 818	Joanie Loves Chachi anyone?