MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > How long should a TV series last?

How long should a TV series last?

posted 7 years ago by AngularTurnip (3337)
16 replies | jump to latest

If you look at great UK tv shows like "The Office," or "Fawlty Towers," or "The Prisoner" none of these shows exceed twenty episodes -- and I think they're better off for it. Their should be a limit I feel to how long a show should last -- maybe 50 episodes tops. Otherwise you get shows like "The Simpsons" and "Gunsmoke" that overstay their welcome and become so stale and parodies of themselves. I tried watching "The Andy Griffith" on Netflix recently, and while I enjoyed it, after about 50 episodes (the shows is well over 250 total) I felt I had had my fill of Mayberry. The same goes for "Friends": good show but 50 or 60 episodes of these characters is all I'll ever need ... all, I feel, anyone would ever need.

[–] Stratego (30500) 7 years ago

While less episodes per season is better, I think the difference in quality is more noticeable between seasons. Most shows seem to decline after the third season. I would say shows shouldn't last longer than 5 seasons.

[–] Daddyo (289) 7 years ago

...until there is no audience for the show. You are not being forced to watch a series. It's not like there are limited channels like in the past. Today a series can be seen from ever expanding sources. So objectively, I imagine when whoever is financing the series no longer makes a profit they should probably think about pulling the plug. Subjectively when a show no longer "puts you in orbit" entertainment wise...you are free to leave. There have been shows that at one time drew my interest that I no longer watch(like The Simpsons) however I'm guessing there are others who still enjoy it.

Ironically the USA version of The Office is a perfect example of a show that went on years too long for me yet others seemed to enjoy it until the end. In fact some of the principals want it back for another run. I imagine if a network or cable company could see a profit they would give it a go. I prefer the British version by the way. Gervais was the best.

[–] slimone (7996) 7 years ago

I guess it all depends on the popularity of a tv series. For instance Law and Order ran for 20 seasons.

[–] GrowingFamily (271) 7 years ago

Law and Order ran for 20 seasons???? Omg. That's ridiculous. I never saw even one show. Is it any good? We're there any cast members who stuck around that entire run? There must have been something special to make it last that long.

[–] Stratego (30500) 7 years ago

I quite enjoyed the first few seasons. No, nobody stayed for the entire show.

[–] slimone (7996) 7 years ago

Yes, I watched the entire season a couple of years ago, and I'm watching it again, because there were so many episodes it's like it's new! And yes, there are a couple of actors who stayed around for the entire series.

[–] captainbucky (15252) 7 years ago

I had no idea faulty towers and the office were so short. I guess that’s why most of them are gems. Friends I think was crippled by bad ideas. It went from funny and charming to whiny . I agree with you. You kinda made me think about things differently . Maybe most shows should be capped at 2. Even my fav party of 5 could have been done in 3

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 7 years ago

Yes, to the Fawlty Towers short reign - I didn't know until recently how few shows were done. I've heard it's a good show, but haven't yet watched it. I guess it won't take much time to view.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77381) 7 years ago

I think a show should last until there is no more good story to tell and then end with dignity

Better all Saul is doing one more season as is Game of Thrones
I think this is a good choice by both groups of showrunners

Some would say that The Walking Dead is past its expiration date but i still enjoy it so maybe its partially about tastes too

[–] croft_alice (12180) 7 years ago

Another example is stargate sg1 after 8 seasons they made another two plus the movies,bad idea

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77381) 7 years ago

Good example

[–] R_Kane (15828) 7 years ago

Until you want to kill everyone who is still watching it, e. g., The Big Bang Theory, The Simpson’s, CSI Anything, any series with Blues in the show’s title, Grey’s Anatomy. Euthanasia is legal in Sweden. It should be legal in the USA.

[–] DarpaDrone (39) 7 years ago

Fawlty Towers gets one season, Big Bang Theory gets like 13. Quality over quantity I suppose, but still it's hard to understand how today's rubbish keeps getting milked dry.

[–] thewaitress (1616) 7 years ago

Long enough to finish the story.

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 7 years ago

Keep in mind that when shows like Andy Griffith were made, people couldn't binge-watch. I think it makes a difference when you view episodes one per week. I remember watching Everybody Loves Raymond when it went to syndication. Some stations ran four episodes back-to-back. I quickly learned that I could only watch two episodes before I found the characters no longer funny, but just annoying.

I think of the original Dick Van Dyke show which ran five seasons - even though it was canceled after the first season (but obviously reinstated) - at which point they decided to end it. They left at the top of their game. Nowadays, I think that money is the reason - as long as they can still make money on it, they'll keep going no matter how mediocre the show becomes.