- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Is a fixed number of seasons on the rise?
Posted on 1/5/14 at 6:28 pm
Posted on 1/5/14 at 6:28 pm
I was just watching an interview with the writers of Justified concerning season 5. One guys said they had always envisioned 6 seasons and would be moving the pieces in place this season for the ending. With the success of Breaking Bad do you think this will become a more common practice? Imagine how much better Lost would have been if they hadn't stretched the story. I liked it a lot but it could have been better. I think TV could really improve with a fixed determination of seasons. Can you think of other shows that would have benefited from this concept?
13
Posted on 1/5/14 at 6:31 pm to arktiger28
Hope so, especially for high concept shows
Posted on 1/5/14 at 6:37 pm to arktiger28
this would be amazing
Posted on 1/5/14 at 6:38 pm to CBandits82
In some cases, the envisioning is just wishful thinking. If ratings are not as good they try to preempt cancellation by ending it in a couple of seasons.
5 seasons used to be the key number because they needed or wanted at least 100 episodes for syndication but shrinking seasons means they need to go further than 5 seasons to hit that key #.
5 seasons used to be the key number because they needed or wanted at least 100 episodes for syndication but shrinking seasons means they need to go further than 5 seasons to hit that key #.
Posted on 1/5/14 at 6:40 pm to TigerMyth36
And I don't think a fixed number is on the rise. If the ratings and budget justify a series continuing, in most cases it will continue.
This post was edited on 1/5/14 at 6:54 pm
Posted on 1/5/14 at 6:51 pm to arktiger28
#sixseasonsandamovie
Posted on 1/5/14 at 6:58 pm to TigerMyth36
quote:
5 seasons used to be the key number because they needed or wanted at least 100 episodes for syndication but shrinking seasons means they need to go further than 5 seasons to hit that key #.
It seems pretty common for shows to peak at season 5. 24 is a good example of this.
Posted on 1/5/14 at 7:14 pm to arktiger28
quote:
It seems pretty common for shows to peak at season 5. 24 is a good example of this.
Original CSI as well. Though 6, 7, and 8 were actually very good. The story just seemed to freeze in place at the end of Season 5 when Grissom "got his guys back". The show feel apart though when William Petersen left permanently.
Posted on 1/5/14 at 7:24 pm to arktiger28
Its a really good idea because it forces the writers to focus on what they really want out of the story. They know they only have a set amount of time to tell the story so theres less of a chance that they run wild like what happened with LOST.
Posted on 1/5/14 at 7:39 pm to arktiger28
It depends on the type of show. If it has a narrative/story to tell then having a fixed number of seasons is a good thing that keeps episodes tight and the story on track. If it's one of these shows that's just there to milk as many seasons as possible then you get shoddy writing and filler episodes.
Posted on 1/5/14 at 7:44 pm to arktiger28
OMG breaking bad is the GOAT, lost sucks after season 3.
what an original fricking thread
what an original fricking thread
Posted on 1/5/14 at 8:14 pm to arktiger28
quote:
With the success of Breaking Bad do you think this will become a more common practice?
Breaking Bad is not a trendsetter in this regard. This has been happening more and more lately.
Posted on 1/5/14 at 11:07 pm to TH03
quote:
OMG breaking bad is the GOAT, lost sucks after season 3.
what an original fricking thread
What the crap man? I actually count Lost as one of my favorite shows of all time. Incredible characters. I even loved the ending. I just felt like they had to stretch the story line.
The comment from the Justified writers made me wonder if this is more of a trend so I brought it up. I'll try to please you more in the future oh lord of thread originality.
Posted on 1/5/14 at 11:08 pm to Froman
quote:
Breaking Bad is not a trendsetter in this regard. This has been happening more and more lately.
What are some other examples?
Posted on 1/6/14 at 7:43 am to arktiger28
I read that the creator of Arrow said they created the show with the vision of completing it in 5 seasons in mind. And that's a network show that does a full 22 episode season. So I think it is kind of trending that way among hour long dramas.
Posted on 1/6/14 at 8:50 am to lsutigersFTW
Supernatural was suppose to be 5 years that's why the season 5 finale felt like a series finale. Network talked them into extending the show. Reason seasons 6 & 7 are less than stellar because the writers had to rethink the entire direction of the show.
Posted on 1/6/14 at 8:57 am to arktiger28
I hope so. Nothing worse than shows like the office going 4 seasons too many.
Posted on 1/6/14 at 8:59 am to arktiger28
quote:
What the crap man? I actually count Lost as one of my favorite shows of all time. Incredible characters. I even loved the ending. I just felt like they had to stretch the story line.
The comment from the Justified writers made me wonder if this is more of a trend so I brought it up. I'll try to please you more in the future oh lord of thread originality.
don't mind him, he's just an angry douche
Posted on 1/6/14 at 9:30 am to arktiger28
Sweet spot just seems to be 5 to 7. 3 or 4 seems too short (although, like Star Trek - 3 long seasons can leave the fans wanting much more), while 8 to 10 seems too long, unless sticking more to the episodic format (really - what hour-long drama has retained the core cast for more than 5 to 6 years, even if the show itself soldiers on? NCIS? Any others?)
Really the grandfathers of the modern hour-long drama are Hill Street Blues (7 seasons) and St. Elsewhere (6 seasons).
The very best shows, both broadcast and cable have generally adhered to this (E/R, Law and Order: Whatever, notwithstanding) range.
The Shield - 7 (although the last 2 artificially split, could have been 6, total), The Wire - 5, The Sopranos - 6, Breaking Bad - 5.
Seems to be a trend.
Really the grandfathers of the modern hour-long drama are Hill Street Blues (7 seasons) and St. Elsewhere (6 seasons).
The very best shows, both broadcast and cable have generally adhered to this (E/R, Law and Order: Whatever, notwithstanding) range.
The Shield - 7 (although the last 2 artificially split, could have been 6, total), The Wire - 5, The Sopranos - 6, Breaking Bad - 5.
Seems to be a trend.
This post was edited on 1/6/14 at 9:32 am
Posted on 1/6/14 at 9:30 am to RonFNSwanson
The absolute best example of this is Prison Break. It was, from the start, designed to be just two seasons. It had great ratings, and they stretched it to a Season 3 and 4. 3 was meh, 4 downright sucked until about the last 2-3 episodes.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News