Sorry if it's been answered already.
But why do the majority of the seasons have only 13-15 episodes? S3 & S4 each had 20, but even that's kinda small compared to the norm of 30 or more episodes per season during that era.
Clint Walker went on strike for a year ,after the 3rd Season,as he rightly believed Warner Bros,had restricted his opportunities to do features.
When fans complained,about not seeing Clint Walker as "CHEYENNE",Warner Bros had compromised with Clint Walker to do features and in return Clint will do less "CHEYENNE"- Episodes.
Before all this drama started,it was later revealed (Without Clint Walker's Knowledge),that Sophia Loren wanted to do a movie with Clint Walker,but Warner Bros said NO.
It was our great loss,as they would have sizzled on film.
The reason there were so few episodes per season of Cheyenne is
because the show alternated each week with other WBs shows.
The first season Cheyenne had 15 episodes because it alternated
with two other WBs shows, Kings Row and Casablanca.
Season two, 1956-1957, Cheyenne had 20 eps by alternating with only
one WBs show called Conflict.
Season three, 1957-1958. 20 eps. Alternating with one show, Sugarfoot.
Season four, 58-59, Clint Walker left the show and he was replaced
with Ty Hardin as Bronco Layne. Now Bronco alternated with Sugarfoot.
Season Five, 59-60. Walker returned to Cheyenne, now the show was
alternating with Shirley Temple's story book and Walker was also
making movies, so there were only 13 episodes filmed.
Bronco and Sugarfoot moved to Tuesday nights.
Season six 60-61. 13 eps this season because Cheyenne alternated with both Sugarfoot and Bronco.
Season Seven, 61-62. 14 eps. Alternating with only Bronco. Sugarfoot
was cancelled.
Season Eight 62-63. Cheyenne finally became a weekly show with no
alternating with any other show. But there were only 13 eps. because
Cheyenne got cancelled at the end of December.
Many thanks. Watching daily on Encore Westerns I see the series just restarted from S1, Ep1 a few days back.
I was thinking there would be a couple hundred episodes....oh well, it's a big loss for those of us that love the series. But I won't complain, I'm happy to be able to see the episodes that were produced.