What We Lose When We Lose the 22-Episode Season - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 10-12-2016, 03:32 PM

http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/star-...episode-season

Quote:

A long season shouldn’t be an indicator of inferior TV storytelling.

Mace Dolex · 10-12-2016, 04:03 PM

Very interesting, the writing on TV shows today is vastly different than say 15-20 years ago where the viewers were hooked on TV dramas and came back week to week because that was the template.

Nowadays everything is serialized that if you miss even a single episode it takes you out completely, which is why people prefer to binge watch all at once.

gidgetgrape · 10-13-2016, 02:12 PM

I dislike how rushed the seasons are now. Just as I start to like a new show, it's gone and I don't really feel the affection for the characters the way I use to.

TerriFan · 10-14-2016, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

It wouldn't surprise me if serialization of everything hasn't contributed to the decline of network ratings. A bad episode was a bad episode, but now a bad storyline throws a whole year away, and it seems likely that some people won't stick around to see what comes next.

I don't think so. Network is taking on cable shows that have fewer restrictions, while network execs insist on repeating everything over and over again.

Christopher · 10-16-2016, 05:45 PM

The main thing we're losing with the extra episodes a season is the character development. One of the shows I watch, Scream, was recently renewed for a third season but for only six episodes. Given how episode lengths are also shorter nowadays from 38 to 41 minutes, I don't see how writers can fully establish character growth like in a 22 episode season. Since episode orders are being cut, networks should cut commercials to give hour long dramas a full hour each episode to tell a story.

TerriFan · 10-16-2016, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

The main thing we're losing with the extra episodes a season is the character development. One of the shows I watch, Scream, was recently renewed for a third season but for only six episodes. Given how episode lengths are also shorter nowadays from 38 to 41 minutes, I don't see how writers can fully establish character growth like in a 22 episode season. Since episode orders are being cut, networks should cut commercials to give hour long dramas a full hour each episode to tell a story.

Networks want that revenue from selling as many commercial slots as possible, so you won't see any improvement from them. One of the networks is even showing classic 30-minute shows in their entirety, but in a 45-minute slot to also show all the commercials they can.

The FCC sets the maximum number of commercials that can be shown. It was originally 9 minutes per hour, but it's been gradually increased. They're the ones to complain to.

Christopher · 10-23-2016, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerriFan

It was originally 9 minutes per hour, but it's been gradually increased.

It's now gone up to 22 minutes of commercials at times. Many shows from Buffy's original run in 2002 on UPN to Supernatural on The CW to American Horror Story on FX sometimes only have 38 minutes to tell a story in an hour long episode. I find it ridiculous because many people just either tune out commercials if watching live or fast forward if they're watching through a DVR service. In the long run, this could hurt DVD / Blu Ray sales for shows. Would you want to buy a show on DVD / Blu Ray that feels rushed and makes no sense at all? Shortening the length of an episode can ruin the quality being produced for a show.

TerriFan · 10-23-2016, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

It's now gone up to 22 minutes of commercials at times. Many shows from Buffy's original run in 2002 on UPN to Supernatural on The CW to American Horror Story on FX sometimes only have 38 minutes to tell a story in an hour long episode.

The limit is set by the FCC. I understand why they might have raised it early on, but I have no clue why it's so much, now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

I find it ridiculous because many people just either tune out commercials if watching live or fast forward if they're watching through a DVR service. In the long run, this could hurt DVD / Blu Ray sales for shows.

Add to that giving DVDs as presents to people who've never seen the show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

Would you want to buy a show on DVD / Blu Ray that feels rushed and makes no sense at all?

There's a "Lost" joke in there, somewhere.

10-12-2016, 04:03 PM	#2
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,669	Very interesting, the writing on TV shows today is vastly different than say 15-20 years ago where the viewers were hooked on TV dramas and came back week to week because that was the template. Nowadays everything is serialized that if you miss even a single episode it takes you out completely, which is why people prefer to binge watch all at once.

10-13-2016, 02:12 PM	#3
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,504	I dislike how rushed the seasons are now. Just as I start to like a new show, it's gone and I don't really feel the affection for the characters the way I use to.

10-16-2016, 05:45 PM	#5
Christopher The OG Core Four Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 15, 2001 Posts: 14,833	The main thing we're losing with the extra episodes a season is the character development. One of the shows I watch, Scream, was recently renewed for a third season but for only six episodes. Given how episode lengths are also shorter nowadays from 38 to 41 minutes, I don't see how writers can fully establish character growth like in a 22 episode season. Since episode orders are being cut, networks should cut commercials to give hour long dramas a full hour each episode to tell a story.