That's interesting. I didn't realize that Nick used 65 episode rule as well. I wonder if they extended it as they found really good hits or if they dropped it altogether. I can't seem to find anything on what rule they currently have, if any, at this point
I'm pretty sure it's at least been tweaked or at least broken for popular shows over the years because it was a really dumb rule. Spongebob may have been the first? According to wiki it has 244 episodes.
That makes sense. I can't think of a reason they would have it in the first place. It would be a little shocking if they were trying to preserve quality over earning more money.
There were probably automatic pay bumps for the crew after so many episodes according to the various union contracts.
Oh, really good point! I didn't consider it was a cost saving measure
It was probably that and having live-action shows centered around kids being difficult in general since they grow up.
Oh yeah. They would be pretty limited by that. I'm guessing they could only squeeze out so many episodes if they tried. I think kids have a max of 3 hours per day they can work? Maybe there is a weekly limit too so it would be impossible for them to record a ton of episodes quickly. But that's a good thing that they are limited.
See Nickelodeon's "Sam and Cat" for a network trying to squeeze out as many episodes as they could. It aired for only one season but it was a whopping 40! episodes. But there was a lot of drama behind the scenes and was mostly why it was only on for one season.
Thats a great example. And what I was thinking of for pushing for long seasons cause its the only example I've already read about before. I read it was rumored that it was partially about pay disparity between the two leads but also that everyone who worked on the show was so exhausted. To do a 40 episode must have been an awful burn out for everyone involved.
65 episodes is enough to run the show each day during a quarter in syndication, so very easy for planning purposes.
Yes, it was the best show last year. But dammit, let things end.
That seems like a good example. I don't remember much of Buffy but I do recall enjoying the later episodes a lot more (up until a certain point at least).
What a coincidence, someone was telling me the other day that I should try out Hannibal. If I do, I'll at least know that it gets stronger later.
It must still be like that now, right? I had originally thought syndication was based on seasons but that is really silly and episode count makes more sense.
This is sort of a surprise. I know they are different series but I would have thought that subsequent "semi-related" series would work pretty well from the start.
This time he gets REALLY drunk and does a lot of drugs, even more than before, which is a pretty compelling reason for a new season. Remember the arc of the first season? Scratch that, forget it, this is a brand new, edgier Patrick!
These channels also cancel shows nowadays, so they need more flexible programming. Rigidly sticking to those 65 episode shows doesn't work anymore. And at the same time, they started realizing they were leaving money on the table by cancelling some profitable shows.
American Ninja Warrior did pretty decently. I haven't had the chance to watch the episode but the series has been a show I've liked a lot. Either as something in the background or to pay actual attention to. Nice summer series.Wednesday night's ratings:
To be fair, the first season was good...and that's about it. 😁
Is it wrong that I'm more exited that this isn't sci-fi?
