39 Episodes per Season...Now they shoot only 22 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

eyefocus · 12-02-2002, 03:13 AM

Sure must have been nice to have worked on TV shows like Leave It To Beaver
back in the 60's. Reviewing the 6 season that the show was on the air, I noticed
that they produced and aired 39 episodes a season...WOW!

I have been working on sitcoms steadily for the past 6 years and the normal
schedule amount of shows a season is 22 episodes. There are some
special cirucmstances that the producers with shoot more and that is
if the show is hit, they want the show to get into "syndication" ASAP. The
magic number to shoot is 100.

I am currently working on "My Wife & Kids" for ABC and we just signed to
an additional 8 episode over the normal 22. I am very grateful for that...
keeps me working until June 2003.

Cory

My License Plate

Burzum25 · 12-21-2003, 11:23 AM

If you are still here, what makes tv producers decide if a show will be one episode in a half hour or 2 or 3. Example spongebob and rugrats have two in a half hour, dexter's laboratory has 3 in a half hour and sitcoms have one. Who decides this stuff?

Bugiddle · 12-21-2003, 05:24 PM

eyefocus:

You said you "work" on "My Wife and Kids", but didn't say what you do on this show. Do you edit it, or???

Just curious!

eyefocus · 02-16-2004, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bugiddle
eyefocus:

You said you "work" on "My Wife and Kids", but didn't say what you do on this show. Do you edit it, or??? Just curious!

I work as a focus puller on one of the 4 cameras we use to shoot the show. My job is to adjust focus and zoom during the filiming. The camera crew composes of 1 Director of Photography, 4 camera operators, 4 assistants or focus pullers, one 2nd assistant cameraman and one camera loader.

I have been doing this type of work for 25 years and still love it. I have also worked on few big movies in my career too.

Cory

eyefocus · 02-16-2004, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Burzum25
If you are still here, what makes tv producers decide if a show will be one episode in a half hour or 2 or 3. Example spongebob and rugrats have two in a half hour, dexter's laboratory has 3 in a half hour and sitcoms have one. Who decides this stuff?

The producer decides based on ratings. If the network feels the show is a sucess they will try to shoot 100 episodes because it makes it an attractive package for syndication. We are currently shooting two one hour episodes called "wrap around" shows...meaning they take clips from previous shows and incorporate them into one show.

Cory

Burzum25 · 02-29-2004, 10:31 AM

Wrap Around shows? I have never seen the point of those. People who like the show will have seen every eisode so whats the point of looking back at them?

eyefocus · 03-12-2004, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Burzum25
Wrap Around shows? I have never seen the point of those. People who like the show will have seen every eisode so whats the point of looking back at them?

Just another way for the producers to make some more money without having to pay extra for casting new actors...that's my guest.

Eyefocus

Mr. Television · 03-12-2004, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by eyefocus
Just another way for the producers to make some more money without having to pay extra for casting new actors...that's my guest.

Eyefocus

It also adds a couple of extra shows for syndication.

hawaii five-o · 03-12-2004, 04:14 PM

Does the fact that they had more episodes have anything to do with the fact that they didn't shoot in front of a studio audience. They could shoot with less rehearsal time and shoot scenes out of sequence.

CCRYDER1968 · 03-12-2004, 08:23 PM

I like My Wife and Kids...cute show

12-02-2002, 03:13 AM	#1
eyefocus In Love With June Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 04, 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 73	39 Episodes per Season...Now they shoot only 22 Sure must have been nice to have worked on TV shows like Leave It To Beaver back in the 60's. Reviewing the 6 season that the show was on the air, I noticed that they produced and aired 39 episodes a season...WOW! I have been working on sitcoms steadily for the past 6 years and the normal schedule amount of shows a season is 22 episodes. There are some special cirucmstances that the producers with shoot more and that is if the show is hit, they want the show to get into "syndication" ASAP. The magic number to shoot is 100. I am currently working on "My Wife & Kids" for ABC and we just signed to an additional 8 episode over the normal 22. I am very grateful for that... keeps me working until June 2003. Cory My License Plate Attached Images
	__________________ <*((((((()><{

12-21-2003, 11:23 AM	#2
Burzum25 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 20, 2003 Posts: 35	If you are still here, what makes tv producers decide if a show will be one episode in a half hour or 2 or 3. Example spongebob and rugrats have two in a half hour, dexter's laboratory has 3 in a half hour and sitcoms have one. Who decides this stuff?

12-21-2003, 05:24 PM	#3
Bugiddle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 19, 2003 Posts: 229	eyefocus: You said you "work" on "My Wife and Kids", but didn't say what you do on this show. Do you edit it, or??? Just curious!

02-29-2004, 10:31 AM	#6
Burzum25 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 20, 2003 Posts: 35	Wrap Around shows? I have never seen the point of those. People who like the show will have seen every eisode so whats the point of looking back at them?

03-12-2004, 04:14 PM	#9
hawaii five-o Book 'Em, Dano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Location: At home, eating cereal straight out of the box Posts: 1,406	Does the fact that they had more episodes have anything to do with the fact that they didn't shoot in front of a studio audience. They could shoot with less rehearsal time and shoot scenes out of sequence.

03-12-2004, 08:23 PM	#10
CCRYDER1968 #1 Sitcom Fan Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 15, 2000 Location: Chicago Posts: 438	I like My Wife and Kids...cute show