General Television Discussion

[Ricky]

I agree, but there must be enough people who like it for the networks to keep churning them out.

[Still Servant]

Yeah, I would never say they should go away. There's still a place for them. I just notice that as I get older, I have moved away from those kinds of shows. Even shows like Blindspot and Blacklist would benefit from shorter seasons. Shows like that really struggle to stay fresh for 22 episodes. I wouldn't mind seeing shorter seasons (13 episodes) on networks like we see on cable.

Quantico is a perfect example. The show started out strong, but by episode 15, they started having to reinvent new storylines. It felt like a completely new season in a way.

[Ricky]

Even shows like Blindspot and Blacklist would benefit from shorter seasons. Shows like that really struggle to stay fresh for 22 episodes. I wouldn't mind seeing shorter seasons (13 episodes) on networks like we see on cable.

Took the words out of my mouth. If those shows had shorter seasons (like premium networks and Netflix are known to do), they would be so much stronger, tighter, and focused on a narrative level. TV has the opportunity to do what movies can't in really developing characters, plot, setting, etc. over a series of eight or twelve or twenty-two hours, but sometimes the extra time is a negative. Because if you're making a 22-episode season, you need 22 hours of compelling story. It seems like networks are still under the impression that more is more. Take The Blacklist for example. It would've been an excellent 12-episode mini-series. The filler would be cut, each case-of-the-week, and we'd know Red's relationship with Liz in no time.

And I thought the same thing about Quantico. I watched the pilot last fall out of curiosity and it ended up being one of my new favorite shows. But midway through it did seem like they were stretching it out. If they would've cut the episode order in half, it would've been even better. I can't imagine if each season of Homeland was 22 episodes. It's different with comedies, but it's hard with dramas that have a season-long arc.

[Bev Vincent]

I've been saying this for a while, too. It was a problem with Quantico and also with The Blacklist. I really like the BBC model of series with 4, 8, 10 or 12 episodes. Anything more, and the show sags in the middle.

[allasorte]

Anyone see "The Quarry?" Premiered on Cinemax I believe Friday. About Vietnam vet from 1972 that can't find a job and is approached by someone with a job: to be a hit man. I thought it was interesting and well done so far.

[allasorte]

I've been saying this for a while, too. It was a problem with Quantico and also with The Blacklist. I really like the BBC model of series with 4, 8, 10 or 12 episodes. Anything more, and the show sags in the middle.

It seems too many episodes these days, makes shows out to be fillers with main concepts shown in 5 of the 20 plus episodes. It seems 10-13 episode shows are overall done the best. Though I feel 10 episode seasons are ended too short.

[fernandito]

In all honesty I never watch shows on prime time networks like NBC or FOX because - while the premises are initially intriguing and full of verve - they all eventually delve into a formulaic 'case of the week' framework while advancing the core narrative minimally each episode. Then you have 20+ episodes of season with all that filler stuffed in there. No thanks.

Pretty much if it's not on HBO, AMC or Netflix original content I don't even bother with it.

[webstar1000]

In all honesty I never watch shows on prime time networks like NBC or FOX because - while the premises are initially intriguing and full of verve - they all eventually delve into a formulaic 'case of the week' framework while advancing the core minimally with each passing week. Then you have 20+ episodes of season with all that filler stuffed in there. No thanks.

Pretty much if it's not on HBO, AMC or Netflix original content I don't even bother with it.

I am pretty much starting to think this way to man...

[allasorte]

In all honesty I never watch shows on prime time networks like NBC or FOX because - while the premises are initially intriguing and full of verve - they all eventually delve into a formulaic 'case of the week' framework while advancing the core minimally with each passing week. Then you have 20+ episodes of season with all that filler stuffed in there. No thanks.

Pretty much if it's not on HBO, AMC or Netflix original content I don't even bother with it.

I am pretty much starting to think this way to man...

It's a shame you guys are right and you can mention dozens of shows falling into this type of television. Shows like Arrow and the Flash are pretty great with the characters (likable) and so forth. But, with being 20 plus episodes and running past season 2, you see the filler and repetitiveness that is being brought up. My complaint for several years has been Supernatural. Amazing show with fast cars, hot women, hard rock music, cool characters......and now on season.....27? And it is the same repetitive story line since season 5 ended. What once went down as a possible top 10 show of all time for me, is now a shell of once was .

[webstar1000]

Last season was it for me when it comes to Flash, Arrow and all that. Too many GOOD things to watch that do not get tiring... 16 Episodes is the MAX... and there is so many out there that are worth a watch!

[allasorte]

Last season was it for me when it comes to Flash, Arrow and all that. Too many GOOD things to watch that do not get tiring... 16 Episodes is the MAX... and there is so many out there that are worth a watch!

I can't just quit. I still like Arrow and Flash, but the repetitiveness is apparent and wearing on me. I'm waiting for the new show on FX with Tom Hardy. Excited but cautious on the Exorcist Frday the 23rd.

[DoctorDodge]

I've been saying this for a while, too. It was a problem with Quantico and also with The Blacklist. I really like the BBC model of series with 4, 8, 10 or 12 episodes. Anything more, and the show sags in the middle.

It seems too many episodes these days, makes shows out to be fillers with main concepts shown in 5 of the 20 plus episodes. It seems 10-13 episode shows are overall done the best. Though I feel 10 episode seasons are ended too short.

Even then, a show can surprisingly drag. Like Bates Motel. Despite how short those seasons are, they occasionally feel like dragging, especially when focusing on sub-plots that aren't half as interesting as the main story. But there are definitely plenty of shows that are able to cram in a lot of plot for a 10-hour story, too. Fargo especially was one I adored.

It probably says a lot about us Brits that we've basically stuck to 6 eps per series for a lot of shows, especially sitcoms. Then again, most shows only have one or two writers a series in those cases, and sometimes, it can be several years before a show comes back (looking at you, Red Dwarf), so it's a really different model for UK television altogether.

[mae]

I don't mind sitcoms with 20+ episode seasons if the writing is good (The Mindy Project, The Big Bang Theory). That really goes for any genre. See: The X-Files, I Love Lucy, etc. The number of episodes doesn't matter if the writing isn't there.

[fernandito]

Comedies are a little different though. Most of them don't have overarching story arcs and thus don't require them to move toward an end game with a sense of urgency.

Stuff like Seinfeld, Married With Children, Everybody Loves Raymond etc., aren't really 'about' anything so they don't have to deviate too much from the "life in the day of xyz" format.

I do agree with you though, good writing is good writing regardless of genre.

[mae]

Watched the "Son of Zorn" pilot. Really funny! He-Man fans should get a kick.

[Still Servant]

In all honesty I never watch shows on prime time networks like NBC or FOX because - while the premises are initially intriguing and full of verve - they all eventually delve into a formulaic 'case of the week' framework while advancing the core narrative minimally each episode. Then you have 20+ episodes of season with all that filler stuffed in there. No thanks.

Pretty much if it's not on HBO, AMC or Netflix original content I don't even bother with it.

There are a few exceptions, at least initially. Then they lose their way. How to Get Away with Murder is a good example. The first season was really solid. Then season 2 happened and they had a hard time stretching the premise.

[mae]

[zelig]

Just started watching Supergirl. Calista looks great. I guess 50 really is the new 40.

[mae]

Just started watching Supergirl. Calista looks great. I guess 50 really is the new 40.

I love Supergirl (and the whole Arrowverse).

[webstar1000]

You know I did too but when your talking 80ish episodes a year from the current four shows... it gets OLD AND STALE real quick... this year i will be passing and not watching any of them.

[zelig]

I haven't got into the Arrowverse yet but I've been enjoying Supergirl.

[mae]

This year is the year to watch them because of that epic four-show crossover event. If you're into comics, this is pretty much porn.

[webstar1000]

I know eh? I love that shit.. alas, time is not on my side and I had to cut some stuff out. Dropped a lot of shows... if I am not pumped to see it... then it is see ya later!

[zelig]

This year is the year to watch them because of that epic four-show crossover event. If you're into comics, this is pretty much porn.

So what are the shows I need to watch? I'm a bit out of it with these ones.

[mae]

It's Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow: https://geekritique.net/2015/05/19/a...logical-order/

All are (or will be) available on Netflix. There's a separate Arrowverse thread here as well.