discussion I miss the 22 episode format for TV shows too many shows feel like a long movie

[Gagaast]

I agree though attention span is the main issue. 

Love victor season 3 has exactly the same issue. They cover so much in 8 episode with 30 minutes each everything is rushed and lacks compelling story line. 

[Beyonnaise]

Well with 22 episodes you’re talking about serials or series with less restrictive storytelling boundaries like sitcoms. But what you’re referring to is a very real phenomenon. Conan O’Brien even said this recently.

 

I think it’s just that “content dumping” and true crime blowing up has made studios so lazy, even with scripted shows, where they take an interesting case or premise and then spread it out to like 6-8 long episodes when it could’ve been told in a two hour movie (there’s a reason why that was always the standard). The Staircase, Tiger King, the Cecil Hotel one and Bad Vegan were terrible, all because they drew them out way too long. And I love the Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos case but The Dropout on Hulu was so overly long and could have honestly been 2-3 episodes.

Edited June 19, 2022 by Beyonnaise

[alfonso12]

1 hour ago, teresaguidice said:

that many episodes tends to destroy shows, forcing writers to pad with so much filler and exhausting them of ideas after a single season. i really can't think of many excellent shows that had that many episodes beyond classic sitcoms that didn't have to deal with plot buildup or character growth. 

All of this tbh.

[PieceByPiece_KC]

I miss the 22/24 episode format too. Gave you a chance to meet character, see their highs, see their lows, and experience real growth!

[Witch]

I agree, especially for shows that have a lot of fantasy or sci-fi elements or have unique settings. It can really give the characters room to be developed in situations independent from the main plot and it allows for better world building. These days shows are made with a streaming audience in mind and attention spans are so short that a lot of episodes may be too intimidating for a lot of people who just want to be able to binge a show in a few days.

[Power love]

1 hour ago, Josh said:

TWD had 16 and season 3 was still awful.

Just like Buffy season 7 had 22 yet was still disappointing.

 

 It can really go either way. If the writers know what they are doing 13-16 seasons can work. 
 

I only like 13-16 episodes seasons not more or less.

[Josh]

Just now, Power love said:

Just like Buffy season 7 had 22 yet was still disappointing.

 

 It can really go either way. If the writers know what they are doing 13-16 seasons can work. 
 

I only like 13-16 episodes seasons not more or less.

I blame the Potentials. Season 7 still had stand outs like Storyteller, Conversations with Dead People, Lies My Parents Told Me, Help, Selfless

[Power love]

1 hour ago, Desire said:

I actually disagree tbh especially when watching old shows and there really is so much filler  But I do hate this 6-8 episode trend now. I feel like the sweet spot is 10-12 and of course at least 45 minutes long each ep 

 

40 minutes ago, Venice B said:

I much prefer this current format tbh. Those old tv shows with 25 episodes per season would have so many filler episodes that wouldn't add absolutely anything to the plot it was exhausting. I'd rather watch a tv show with 8 ~ 13 consistent episodes per season than waste my time watching 15 filler episodes 

 

53 minutes ago, Likingstars said:

I actually like these short series we have now. Maybe 10-15 episodes max.

 

i remember waiting every week for Vampire Diaries and got so angry/frustrated if that week was a filler episode  and sometimes they dragged it out too long I don’t even remember what has happened previously.

 

 

PS Girl i felt your frustration with the VD dear god that show would’ve greatly benefit from 10-13 episodes seasons. Every episode Bonnie was being killed or used. Caroline being the main new girl was a bad move. This show also needed a whole cast revamp by season 6. 

Edited June 19, 2022 by Power love

[Power love]

5 minutes ago, Josh said:

blame the Potentials. Season 7 still had stand outs like Storyteller, Conversations with Dead People, Lies My Parents Told Me, Help, Selfless

I actually enjoyed the potentials storyline but it was just executed poorly. The actresses were terrible & all the main characters acted out of character badly that it made no sense.

 

 Kicking Buffy out the house was the final straw for me. If this season had 13-15 episodes I’m almost positive the writing would’ve been better because they wouldn’t have to force drama to prolong a side storyline. 

[kweenofxanax]

IMO, 22 is wayyyy too long but it depends on the writer/showrunner…if they’re able to sustain interest then I am all for it. It’s just that most I’ve seen just drags it for too long. I think 10-15 is good, I like when shows explore new storylines/arc every season. My fave format is 10-13 episode, 1 hr long each. Most I’ve seen from this format has been top tier. 

 

On the topic of 20+ episode seasons, I’m thinking of starting The X-Files in my upcoming term break, I hope I can maintain my attention span 

Edited June 19, 2022 by kweenofxanax

[45seconds]

A  13 episode season is far superior to a 23 episode season of a show. There is just no way to stretch out a season plot line over that many episodes without a gargantuan amount of nonsense filler. I cannot think of a single show that has done it. 
 

This of course is for shows that are serial by nature. Shows that are episodic do not count seeing as those shows do not follow (at the forefront, maybe tangentially)  a major storyline thread throughout the season 

Edited June 19, 2022 by 45seconds

[Johnny Jacobs]

It doesn't make sense anymore in the streaming era to to that. 

 

Shorter season = less money = more shows can be developed = easier to binge = easier for the actors to commit to. 

 

I do feel you tbh.. You watch those poor 8 episodes in a day or two only to wait a year for more and you already forget what happen. 

I personally think 13-15 episodes is the best amount. 

 

Sad but that's the tea

Edited June 19, 2022 by Johnny Jacobs

[Josh]

7 minutes ago, Johnny Jacobs said:

It doesn't make sense anymore in the streaming era to to that. 

 

Shorter season = less money = more shows can be developed = easier to binge = easier for the actors to commit to. 

 

I do feel you tbh.. You watch those poor 8 episodes in a day or two only to wait a year for more and you already forget what happen. 

I personally think 13-15 episodes is the best amount. 

 

Sad but that's the tea

There's a reason why people still talk about shows like Friends, The Office, Buffy, Seinfield in 2022 those forums on reddit are still active now, the 13 reasons why sub is dead. 

[bad guy]

I like it better like this. I don't mind the older format for older shows but I can't imagine how annoying a 22 episode season of a show like Euphoria or Stranger Things would be.

[Angelgrande]

3 hours ago, Josh said:

For example a show like Buffy would never be able to work with only 9 or 12 episodes.

I love the occasional filler episode every now and then. For example "The Zeppo" is one of the best episodes on Buffy and it's not even part of the main story line of season 3. The only time I think a 9 episode season works is if it's a limited series like on Netflix.

Bye the way I’m currently on this episode of my first watch of Buffy… maybe I should skip since it’s filler 

[Smarticle]

i don't miss the weekly waiting for a filler episode though

[mystery]

I like this format a lot more. 

[Josh]

17 minutes ago, Angelgrande said:

Bye the way I’m currently on this episode of my first watch of Buffy… maybe I should skip since it’s filler 

What episode?

[Europe]

Imagine if Desperate Housewives only had 6 episodes per season It wouldn't be half as iconic as it is today.

 

 

[Angelgrande]

35 minutes ago, Josh said:

What episode?

The Zeppo 

[Josh]

4 minutes ago, Angelgrande said:

The Zeppo 

Fantastic episode imo. a series classic and a fan favorite. The Zeppo is referenced in the next two episodes 

 

Did you like season 2? 

Edited June 19, 2022 by Josh

[Angelgrande]

@Josh Yeah I did but season 3 is blowing both seasons away for me. Every episode so far of s3 is great imo. Can’t say the same for the other two. But yeah I enjoyed season 2

Edited June 19, 2022 by Angelgrande

[Josh]

1 minute ago, Angelgrande said:

@Josh Yeah I did but season 3 is blowing both seasons away for me. Every episode so far of s3 is great imo. Can’t say the same for the other two. But yeah I enjoyed season 2

Well if you continue loving season 3 stick with it! although you may find season 4 rough to get into. It has great individual episodes but a rough main story line and a wack main big bad. 

 

Season 2, 3, 5 are considered the best seasons. 

[Qmhp]

22 is too much 

 

14 episodes it’s perfect, like the first Netflix series ( House of Cards, Orange is The New Black, …) 

[Rev8]

Plsss

Im annoyed that episodes are a shorter movie

45 minutes? Ion have time for that

give me something like 30-35 at least......