General Television Discussion

[Merlin1958]

Re NARCOS: Can history be a spoiler? Just in case:

Spoiler:

Escobar lived for over a year after his escape from "prison" -- from July '92 to December '93.

Not only that... it was a VERY EXCITING TIME during this run.... will make a great final season!

As I am aware. What I was alluding to is the pace that they seem to be on in telling, Pablo's story at least, for season one. I know "season two" is a done deal, but it seems to me that a second season will do it for his story. Seeing how the series has been successful I was wondering if there had been any info released on what the writer's/producer's plans are for the story in season two and beyond if, in fact they intend to look into a season 3/4/5. Will the story pace slow down? Sprinkle in FB's? Or, perhaps move on to other Latin drug figures?

It just seems to me that the writers/producers produced the first season unsure whether it would be a hit or not and may be re-thinking their tact now that the show has done well. Just an impression I got from watching the first season is all and I was curious as to whether any info had been leaked or announced.

[Mattrick]

The moment near the end of South Park last night when

Spoiler:

Kenny gave his sister that doll that he bought with what little money he made

caught me off guard. I was not expecting such a tender moment. Ain't gonna lie, I teared up. It was beautiful.

[Merlin1958]

The moment near the end of South Park last night when

Spoiler:

Kenny gave his sister that doll that he bought with what little money he made

caught me off guard. I was not expecting such a tender moment. Ain't gonna lie, I teared up. It was beautiful.

Oh, you big ol' ball of mush, you!!! LOL LOL

[Still Servant]

The moment near the end of South Park last night when

Spoiler:

Kenny gave his sister that doll that he bought with what little money he made

caught me off guard. I was not expecting such a tender moment. Ain't gonna lie, I teared up. It was beautiful.

Me too! That was a rare heartfelt moment from South Park. They really are pulling out everything in their bag of tricks this year.

[Ricky]

I watched Quantico last night and really, really enjoyed it. Super fast paced and twisty. I was on the fence about it over the summer but am glad I watched it. I thought Blindspot would end up being my favorite new fall show, but Quantico may end up taking that spot.

[webstar1000]

I watched Quantico last night and really, really enjoyed it. Super fast paced and twisty. I was on the fence about it over the summer but am glad I watched it. I thought Blindspot would end up being my favorite new fall show, but Quantico may end up taking that spot.

Interesting.. I thought the same. I did still enjoy the 2nd Blindspot more BUT am looking forward to the second Quantico... Loving the twists although I hope it doesn't become impossible to follow if you know what I mean..

[Ricky]

Yeah, I'm still enjoying Blindspot but my attention kind of wavered with episode two. I just hope it doesn't get too procedural (unless all the cases are linked to Jane).

[Still Servant]

I watched Quantico last night and really, really enjoyed it. Super fast paced and twisty. I was on the fence about it over the summer but am glad I watched it. I thought Blindspot would end up being my favorite new fall show, but Quantico may end up taking that spot.

Agreed. I really enjoyed Quantico. I wish they could have saved a few of those twists for later episodes though.

Yeah, I'm still enjoying Blindspot but my attention kind of wavered with episode two. I just hope it doesn't get too procedural (unless all the cases are linked to Jane).

I'm hoping it doesn't get too procedural too. I understand that's the bread and butter of most network shows, but that's usually where they start losing me. I do think the reveal in episode 2 might end up being really interesting.

[Mattrick]

Both Quantico and Blindspot just scream out that they will run out of steam and throw all their good ideas and twists out early and then peter off quickly. That's why I have trouble getting involved in new shows. So many go off the rails before they've cleared the first station. They come out with a cool premise that doesn't have much legs.

[webstar1000]

100% right.

[mae]

[mae]

[Jon]

Both Quantico and Blindspot just scream out that they will run out of steam and throw all their good ideas and twists out early and then peter off quickly. That's why I have trouble getting involved in new shows. So many go off the rails before they've cleared the first station. They come out with a cool premise that doesn't have much legs.

Which is why soooo many series should just be movies or mini series.

[Still Servant]

Both Quantico and Blindspot just scream out that they will run out of steam and throw all their good ideas and twists out early and then peter off quickly. That's why I have trouble getting involved in new shows. So many go off the rails before they've cleared the first station. They come out with a cool premise that doesn't have much legs.

Which is why soooo many series should just be movies or mini series.

I think a show like Quantico, which I'm really enjoying, will be able to sustain it at least for a full season. It's usually season 2 of shows like that where they start running into trouble.

A show like How to Get Away with Murder was able to keep things fresh for the first season. Then again it was only 15 episodes. I honestly feel that's a good number for any type of show. I know the old standard is 22 episodes, but so many shows just can't sustain that. Especially procedural shows, which I end up getting bored with fairly quickly.

[Ricky]

Then again it was only 15 episodes. I honestly feel that's a good number for any type of show. I know the old standard is 22 episodes, but so many shows just can't sustain that.

I agree 100%. When I first started watching some shows on Showtime and HBO that's when I realized how good shows can be (and no filler) when they're only 12 or 13 episodes.

[fernandito]

Yup. 12 or 13 episodes a season is the sweet spot.

[Mattrick]

Then again it was only 15 episodes. I honestly feel that's a good number for any type of show. I know the old standard is 22 episodes, but so many shows just can't sustain that.

I agree 100%. When I first started watching some shows on Showtime and HBO that's when I realized how good shows can be (and no filler) when they're only 12 or 13 episodes.

Those shows also tend to be around 50 minutes. Six Feet Under was usually around 55 minutes an episode. Lost really changed with the times, from the techically 25 episode first season to dropping down to 17 episodes really helped the last few seasons...funny thing is that Season Three had the most filler episodes but it was also my favourite.

[Shannon]

LOST HAS NO FILLER EPISODES!

I WILL MUUURRDDDEERRR YOOUUUUU!

[Mattrick]

That's not what most people say lol.

Watched an episode of Heroes: Reborn with my dad. I like it less than the original series, which is to say I hate it. Hopefully the next series is Heroes: Reburied.

[Shannon]

WELL MOST PEOPLE CAN BURN IN HELL!

AND I HOPE THEIR FACES EXPLODE WITH THE FURY OF A THOUSAND SUNS IN A MICROWAVE LOCATED IN THE BREAKROOM OF A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT!

[Still Servant]

Then again it was only 15 episodes. I honestly feel that's a good number for any type of show. I know the old standard is 22 episodes, but so many shows just can't sustain that.

I agree 100%. When I first started watching some shows on Showtime and HBO that's when I realized how good shows can be (and no filler) when they're only 12 or 13 episodes.

Those shows also tend to be around 50 minutes. Six Feet Under was usually around 55 minutes an episode. Lost really changed with the times, from the techically 25 episode first season to dropping down to 17 episodes really helped the last few seasons...funny thing is that Season Three had the most filler episodes but it was also my favourite.

Yeah, it's a little different for HBO and Showtime. They don't have to deal with commercials so their episodes are a full 50 or so minutes, whereas shows on network TV boil down to about 42 minutes once you take out the commercials. It really is a huge advantage for shows without commercials. They don't have to worry about losing the audience's attention or losing momentum.

[Mattrick]

Then again it was only 15 episodes. I honestly feel that's a good number for any type of show. I know the old standard is 22 episodes, but so many shows just can't sustain that.

I agree 100%. When I first started watching some shows on Showtime and HBO that's when I realized how good shows can be (and no filler) when they're only 12 or 13 episodes.

Those shows also tend to be around 50 minutes. Six Feet Under was usually around 55 minutes an episode. Lost really changed with the times, from the techically 25 episode first season to dropping down to 17 episodes really helped the last few seasons...funny thing is that Season Three had the most filler episodes but it was also my favourite.

Yeah, it's a little different for HBO and Showtime. They don't have to deal with commercials so their episodes are a full 50 or so minutes, whereas shows on network TV boil down to about 42 minutes once you take out the commercials. It really is a huge advantage for shows without commercials. They don't have to worry about losing the audience's attention or losing momentum.

The difference between plotting the episodes is huge. On network TV they build up to Each commercial break.with mini cliffhangers so no one changes the channel, which, to me, often hurts the product. Maybe not too much, but it can make a show seem cheesier.

[webstar1000]

If networks were smart... They would make shows that continue episode to episode one or two season MAX..... Then people would be on to it and stick with them... Soon as they see ratings... And extend the show... They always end up goin to shit!

[Mattrick]

If networks were smart... They would make shows that continue episode to episode one or two season MAX..... Then people would be on to it and stick with them... Soon as they see ratings... And extend the show... They always end up goin to shit!

More one-off shows would be great. Give me a solid ten episode series and end it. I think Walking Dead would benefit from this approach. Run a one season spin off that sets up a future plotline or a future villain. How awesome would have a short series on Terminus before season five have been? Or go the True Detective route where you tell isolated stories with new characters and new location each season. Even shows that start strong like Prison Break and True Blood and then go off the rails right after. I don't invest in new shows very often because of it.

[Ricky]

What I don't understand about networks is when they cancel a show, it's done forever...until they decide to revive it years later (X-Files, Heroes, etc.). I think it would make more sense (and infuriate audiences less) if they would just say something along the lines of "we're ending it for now, but may decide to do another season at another time" rather than say it's ending for good. More of taking a "break" with a show rather than cancelling it altogether.