Length of Shows - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

*GoodMorningCalgary* · 12-06-2002, 11:30 AM

I find it awful that TV shows are getting shorter and shorter these days. How long are they now these days? does anyone think its going to get to the point where each episode is going to be around 10 minutes long and 20 minutes commercials?

dawsongirl · 12-06-2002, 03:23 PM

Yeah, probably. It'll be like two jokes and that's it. Sad.

Chocoholic · 12-06-2002, 03:23 PM

I've noticed that too. Not just in syndication, but during regular broadcast shows too. It's ridiculous, IMHO.

Stormtracker TF · 12-06-2002, 05:14 PM

That's sad..If new sitcoms weren't bad enough (Exclude "Less than perfect") they have to add 8756975957687 & 1/2 comercials!

DarleneIllyria · 12-06-2002, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dawsongirl
Yeah, probably. It'll be like two jokes and that's it. Sad.

I agree. It is sad. Can't even hear an ending theme or see the ending credits anymore.

You know what I wish they would do? Have like an ad block like 3 to 4 in the morning on every station. Don't program it during any other time. Just show it in that one hour block. You know how those paid programs work. Have something like that for commericials. Yeah, the companies would probably complain about it. The viewers would be pretty satisfied though. I know I would be.

Impressions · 12-06-2002, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny

I agree. It is sad. Can't even hear an ending theme or see the ending credits anymore.

You know what I wish they would do? Have like an ad block like 3 to 4 in the morning on every station. Don't program it during any other time. Just show it in that one hour block. You know how those paid programs work. Have something like that for commericials. Yeah, the companies would probably complain about it. The viewers would be pretty satisfied though. I know I would be.

I agree, the move the credits into a small region on the screen, so they can air network promos, unlike some current sitcoms they don't even have closing credits, they are part of the show, also, so I don't see why they have to exclude them. This is the same reason for the opening credits; some the theme songs are cut to an all time low, so there is hardly any theme song, anymore. Some current shows don't even introduce the characters names in the opening credits, only a quick intro and then commercial break.

Central Perk · 12-07-2002, 03:14 PM

Yea, the worst part of all is that sitcomwriters have to cut things in order to fit the time requirement too, It'd be a lot better if we could see all the jokes and things they included in the original script.

TVgen62 · 12-10-2002, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny
You know what I wish they would do? Have like an ad block like 3 to 4 in the morning on every station. Don't program it during any other time. Just show it in that one hour block. You know how those paid programs work. Have something like that for commericials. Yeah, the companies would probably complain about it. The viewers would be pretty satisfied though. I know I would be.

Advertisers would never go for that (unless blackmailed) as that's too great an opportunity for viewers to "tune out". (OK, who told them?

)

TVgen62 · 12-10-2002, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by *GoodMorningCalgary*
I find it awful that TV shows are getting shorter and shorter these days. How long are they now these days? does anyone think its going to get to the point where each episode is going to be around 10 minutes long and 20 minutes commercials?

I found some enlightening info on mortystv.com regarding this.

The stats listed were based on the site host's ("Morty"?) recorded observations because there was no catalogued data.

Half-hour shows ('50s-60s)

Average actual show length (incl. opening/closing credits): 25 min.
Average number of episodes per season: 31

Half-hour shows ('90s-current)

Average actual show length (incl. opening/closing credits): 21.5 min.
Average number of episodes per season: 22

MagicDust1488 · 12-13-2002, 03:26 PM

On tv, shows last about 30 minutes. But, they make it about 22 minutes and like 8 minutes of commercials.

12-06-2002, 11:30 AM	#1
GoodMorningCalgary Banana Hammock! Senior Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2002 Location: Sacred Heart Hospital Posts: 1,225	Length of Shows I find it awful that TV shows are getting shorter and shorter these days. How long are they now these days? does anyone think its going to get to the point where each episode is going to be around 10 minutes long and 20 minutes commercials?

12-06-2002, 05:14 PM	#4
Stormtracker TF Happy Easter! Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 102,598	That's sad..If new sitcoms weren't bad enough (Exclude "Less than perfect") they have to add 8756975957687 & 1/2 comercials!
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12-06-2002, 03:23 PM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Yeah, probably. It'll be like two jokes and that's it. Sad.

12-06-2002, 03:23 PM	#3
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I've noticed that too. Not just in syndication, but during regular broadcast shows too. It's ridiculous, IMHO.

12-07-2002, 03:14 PM	#7
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	Yea, the worst part of all is that sitcomwriters have to cut things in order to fit the time requirement too, It'd be a lot better if we could see all the jokes and things they included in the original script.

12-13-2002, 03:26 PM	#10
MagicDust1488 David Boreanaz-Angel Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Posts: 234	On tv, shows last about 30 minutes. But, they make it about 22 minutes and like 8 minutes of commercials.