A question for Terry Ross - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 09-08-2001, 03:42 PM

For our resident TV Land expert: Does TV Land (or Nick at Nite) purchase the episodes uncut in their original form and make their own cuts to the episodes or are they pre-sold to them edited by the syndicators?

dawsongirl · 09-08-2001, 04:56 PM

Good question TJ! How 'bout it Terry?

I'm expecting you'll get on tonight since it's Saturday.

Terry Ross · 09-08-2001, 07:32 PM

Yes, dawsongirl. It's Saturday so it's time to sign on. I'm trying to find more time during the week but it's rarely possible.

TJ - the episodes are not cut when purchased by a network. In fact, legally, I do not believe they can be cut before being sold. There may be special circumstances or pre-agreed upon arrangements but for the most part, they are sold in their entirety. The syndicators have nothing to gain {financially} by selling an edited/cut movie or series. Networks have been known to edit in order accommodate the time period {taking into account ad time}.

Hope that answers your question. I work in broadcast television now; I left cable last year. But the same set of rules apply to all broadcasters.

Terry Ross · 09-08-2001, 07:37 PM

TJ - why are you asking?

TJ · 09-09-2001, 03:39 AM

Thanks Terry. There has been some debate on other boards on this site. I'm still not totally convinced though. In some cases, the original unedited episodes may not even be available. Who at Nick at Nite or TV Land makes the cuts?

How about the current syndicated hits like Seinfeld and Friends? Surely, the local stations that broadcast these don't make their own cuts to the episodes - they are pre-sold with the cuts already made and spots where the commercials go. Everybody gets the same episodes in length. I will see what other info I can dig up on this.

What will TV Land do with the I Love Lucy episodes after the 50 episode marathon which they are advertising as uncut? Will they revert back to the edited episodes or broadcast the uncut episodes as Nick at Nite once did for a period of time?

Terry Ross · 09-22-2001, 08:29 PM

TJ - I'm sorry it has taken me so long to respond but I've been very distracted with the WTC attacks because I work in news in NY. I haven't been on this site.

I decided to speak directly to a few TV programmers at both a premium network and broadcast network. There just isn't a clear cut answer to your question. There are different circumstances for every case. Everthing depends on the contracts that the syndicators and networks agree upon. Often the product {i.e. series, movie} is already edited and other times, the network may edit for content, time constraints, etc. I bet TV Land will contintue to air the uncut episodes; they have no reason whatsoever to revert to edited ones. I mean, why would they?

[This message has been edited by Terry Ross (edited 09-22-2001).]

dawsongirl · 09-27-2001, 02:14 PM

Hey Terry, how are things going in NY now?

Sean Snow · 09-27-2001, 05:43 PM

Terry- They're Going Back to Edited Ones After the Marathon

Terry Ross · 09-29-2001, 07:20 PM

Hey dawsongirl . . . I haven't really been myself since the WTC attacks. I watched it live that morning and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I'm reminded of the grim scene everytime I go to work and pass the bruised skyline. You can still see the billowing smoke. And the security at the tunnels and bridges is unbelievable. It's so very sad that no one in NY is back to normal yet. Tourism has been hurt, the subways, busses, and streets are so quiet. I doubt we'll ever be the same. BUT, on a high note, someone famous {who shall go nameless} who I work with gave me a book on Lucille Ball that Lucie Arnaz signed. That perked me up.

Sean - how did you find that that TV Land was going back to the edited versions after the marathon? I have to call my friend who works there. It seems strange that they would go back to the edited version.

09-08-2001, 03:42 PM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,677	A question for Terry Ross For our resident TV Land expert: Does TV Land (or Nick at Nite) purchase the episodes uncut in their original form and make their own cuts to the episodes or are they pre-sold to them edited by the syndicators?

09-08-2001, 04:56 PM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Good question TJ! How 'bout it Terry? I'm expecting you'll get on tonight since it's Saturday.

09-08-2001, 07:32 PM	#3
Terry Ross Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 20, 2000 Location: New Jersey Posts: 196	Yes, dawsongirl. It's Saturday so it's time to sign on. I'm trying to find more time during the week but it's rarely possible. TJ - the episodes are not cut when purchased by a network. In fact, legally, I do not believe they can be cut before being sold. There may be special circumstances or pre-agreed upon arrangements but for the most part, they are sold in their entirety. The syndicators have nothing to gain {financially} by selling an edited/cut movie or series. Networks have been known to edit in order accommodate the time period {taking into account ad time}. Hope that answers your question. I work in broadcast television now; I left cable last year. But the same set of rules apply to all broadcasters.

09-08-2001, 07:37 PM	#4
Terry Ross Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 20, 2000 Location: New Jersey Posts: 196	TJ - why are you asking?

09-09-2001, 03:39 AM	#5
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,677	Thanks Terry. There has been some debate on other boards on this site. I'm still not totally convinced though. In some cases, the original unedited episodes may not even be available. Who at Nick at Nite or TV Land makes the cuts? How about the current syndicated hits like Seinfeld and Friends? Surely, the local stations that broadcast these don't make their own cuts to the episodes - they are pre-sold with the cuts already made and spots where the commercials go. Everybody gets the same episodes in length. I will see what other info I can dig up on this. What will TV Land do with the I Love Lucy episodes after the 50 episode marathon which they are advertising as uncut? Will they revert back to the edited episodes or broadcast the uncut episodes as Nick at Nite once did for a period of time?

09-22-2001, 08:29 PM	#6
Terry Ross Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 20, 2000 Location: New Jersey Posts: 196	TJ - I'm sorry it has taken me so long to respond but I've been very distracted with the WTC attacks because I work in news in NY. I haven't been on this site. I decided to speak directly to a few TV programmers at both a premium network and broadcast network. There just isn't a clear cut answer to your question. There are different circumstances for every case. Everthing depends on the contracts that the syndicators and networks agree upon. Often the product {i.e. series, movie} is already edited and other times, the network may edit for content, time constraints, etc. I bet TV Land will contintue to air the uncut episodes; they have no reason whatsoever to revert to edited ones. I mean, why would they? [This message has been edited by Terry Ross (edited 09-22-2001).]

09-27-2001, 02:14 PM	#7
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Hey Terry, how are things going in NY now?

09-27-2001, 05:43 PM	#8
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,408	Terry- They're Going Back to Edited Ones After the Marathon

09-29-2001, 07:20 PM	#9
Terry Ross Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 20, 2000 Location: New Jersey Posts: 196	Hey dawsongirl . . . I haven't really been myself since the WTC attacks. I watched it live that morning and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I'm reminded of the grim scene everytime I go to work and pass the bruised skyline. You can still see the billowing smoke. And the security at the tunnels and bridges is unbelievable. It's so very sad that no one in NY is back to normal yet. Tourism has been hurt, the subways, busses, and streets are so quiet. I doubt we'll ever be the same. BUT, on a high note, someone famous {who shall go nameless} who I work with gave me a book on Lucille Ball that Lucie Arnaz signed. That perked me up. Sean - how did you find that that TV Land was going back to the edited versions after the marathon? I have to call my friend who works there. It seems strange that they would go back to the edited version.