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How long should a TV Show Run
Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:47 am
Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:47 am
I had this talk with my wife on how long a TV Series should actually be on for. A show like Sienfeld which has no real plot can go forever, but most shows follow a plot and if they go too long it gets played out and boring. I say 7 season tops...
18
Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:48 am to CAGator
5-6ish
Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:53 am to CAGator
a plot driven show should never surpass 5 seasons in my opinion.. Breaking Bad is stopping at 5 seasons with only 13 episodes per season.. there is no need for more.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:55 am to CAGator
Depends on the show structure and the story being told. Shows like Dr Who have been on forever but the structure of the show makes it work. I would say that most shows should only need about 3-6 seasons to tell their story (Fringe, Lost, Justified, Walking Dead, etc)
Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:58 am to CAGator
5 seasons maximum if it's a plot driven show. Anything more and you're just milking it.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:04 am to CAGator
I really like how the cable channels are doing 4-5 seasons with 12-13 episodes per. That's the way to go.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:12 am to CAGator
5 or 6 seems to be the magic number. I wish we'd have some shorter series with concrete end dates from the start so writers can plan the structure of the series as a whole accordingly.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:18 am to CAGator
Cheers and Mash went 11 seasons.
I'd say...for shows like that 8 seasons is ideal in not burning out.
So 8 seasons max...just feels right.
I'd say...for shows like that 8 seasons is ideal in not burning out.
So 8 seasons max...just feels right.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:26 am to CAGator
6 to 7 is probably a good run
If the writing can sustain it, maybe 10, but those will be outliers. Some great shows run out of gas at about 50 or 60 episodes and limp along. The mark of a great show is a 6 or 7 year run and they know when to walk away leaving you wanting a little more - about the closest to perfect timing for me, again, is The Shield - despite the fact they had to basically add about 8 episodes when expanding the final season to 2 shortened final seasons, there were really no more stories to tell when they wrapped, but I didn't fell like they hung around too long.
I'm curious to see how they finish up Breaking Bad, because that will be a candidate as well.
If the writing can sustain it, maybe 10, but those will be outliers. Some great shows run out of gas at about 50 or 60 episodes and limp along. The mark of a great show is a 6 or 7 year run and they know when to walk away leaving you wanting a little more - about the closest to perfect timing for me, again, is The Shield - despite the fact they had to basically add about 8 episodes when expanding the final season to 2 shortened final seasons, there were really no more stories to tell when they wrapped, but I didn't fell like they hung around too long.
I'm curious to see how they finish up Breaking Bad, because that will be a candidate as well.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:31 am to CAGator
A drama or plot driven show 5-6 years.
A comedy 6-7 year
An animated show - 20-30 years
A comedy 6-7 year
An animated show - 20-30 years
Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:34 am to CAGator
quote:
I say 7 season tops...
2-4 is adequate for almost every show
Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:52 am to CAGator
I have no limit as long as I like the cast and show. It could run 30 years if it was enjoyable.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 1:26 pm to CAGator
Upper echelon sitcoms seem to run about 8-10 years. Your average every day comedy sitcom can last a good 4-5 years.
It the drama, series type shows that seem to sink or swim early.
It the drama, series type shows that seem to sink or swim early.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 1:50 pm to CAGator
I always thought 5-7 seasons is good
ER - 15 Seasons....way too long, they probably should have stopped at 8 or 9
West Wing - 7 Seasons - Good show length...started falling off the last couple seasons, but the show never seemed tired and played out like ER.
ER - 15 Seasons....way too long, they probably should have stopped at 8 or 9
West Wing - 7 Seasons - Good show length...started falling off the last couple seasons, but the show never seemed tired and played out like ER.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 1:50 pm to CAGator
People have said it depends on the plot, but sometimes it seems like it should have never been a TV show in the first place.
Everyone remembers the crap that was Flash Forward. It might have been better as a movie.
Everyone remembers the crap that was Flash Forward. It might have been better as a movie.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 2:11 pm to CAGator
I like the 5 season max, plot driven, series. The Walking Dead is starting to test my patience
Posted on 3/19/13 at 2:16 pm to CAGator
I think the answer is different for different kinds of shows.
For example, the Sopranos could have probably ended with season 5 or season 6a. But a comedy or animated show could go longer or short. Like the Simpsons had 10 seasons that were great (debatable, but seasons 11-2X have been painful to watch). South Park seems to have actually gotten funnier over time, the first 5 or 6 seasons were ok but we know the golden seasons were 7 and on.
For example, the Sopranos could have probably ended with season 5 or season 6a. But a comedy or animated show could go longer or short. Like the Simpsons had 10 seasons that were great (debatable, but seasons 11-2X have been painful to watch). South Park seems to have actually gotten funnier over time, the first 5 or 6 seasons were ok but we know the golden seasons were 7 and on.
Posted on 3/19/13 at 7:03 pm to CAGator
Four or five seasons. It seems like all of the good shows that are around for a while peak at season four or five before going downhill. Also, an overwhelming majority of the shows that never wavered in quality for their entire run lasted six seasons at the most. Shows like The Wire, Breaking Bad, Sopranos, Arrested Development, Deadwood, and The Office (UK version) all finished their run in six seasons or less.
Posted on 3/22/13 at 4:12 am to CAGator
2 part answer; a show could do everything they need to in about 5 seasons.
How many do I want? Depends on the show but I'm fricking selfish
Give me more. I hate that BB is ending. I hate that The Sopranos and The Wire ended. I'm still pissed the arse fricks at HBO screwed over Deadwood after 3 glorious seasons.
I didn't think House needed to go either, but at least it was 8 seasons. Mad Men looks to have at least a couple more and I'm happy.
If it's a good show, let it continue. Better than rolling the dice with the crap put out more often than not.
eta: I will say this and definitely not to pick on Fringe, but I think it had run it's course and ended maybe even a season late. Still dug it though.
How many do I want? Depends on the show but I'm fricking selfish
Give me more. I hate that BB is ending. I hate that The Sopranos and The Wire ended. I'm still pissed the arse fricks at HBO screwed over Deadwood after 3 glorious seasons.
I didn't think House needed to go either, but at least it was 8 seasons. Mad Men looks to have at least a couple more and I'm happy.
If it's a good show, let it continue. Better than rolling the dice with the crap put out more often than not.
eta: I will say this and definitely not to pick on Fringe, but I think it had run it's course and ended maybe even a season late. Still dug it though.
This post was edited on 3/22/13 at 4:14 am
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