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USD POLL : Does being in the air for too long hurt the quality of a show?
15 Jan 2014
Polls USDPLet us know in the comments what you voted for and why?
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For me, it depends on the show. Bones is as great as it ever was for me and I actually like this season more than previous seasons. Big Bang Theory also gets better and better with age. I think with serialized shows it's trickier but I don't remember a serialized show that I watched being extended past its due.
ReplyDeleteYes, although I do think that the definition of 'too long' varies depending on the show. I do definitely think that shows come with a 'best before' date though, and the aim of all shows should be to recognise what that is and try and finish before that so they can remembered for all the good things and enjoyed on a rewatch, not descending into mediocrity and trailing off. Or in some cases, jumping the shark completely and becoming unwatchable.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe it all depends on the show. For example, I think The Big Bang Theory is top-notch at the moment, and that's been going for 7 seasons, wherever as I think The Simpsons in its 25th season is losing some of its comedic sense. Then there's The Blacklist, which I also think is awesome, and that's in its freshman season. I voted "Unsure", though.
ReplyDeleteDepends on the writers
ReplyDeleteReally need a 'depends on the show'. For some shows it does, and some it doesn't.
ReplyDeleteIt depends. I think some shows can keep their quality and even improve (The Good Wife, TBBT) while some others (Grey's Anatomy, Glee, Dexter) should have ended after three seasons. I actually think it has more to do with the moment showrunners stop trying to keep the show fresh and start using easy storylines.
ReplyDeleteI think it varies from show to show..
ReplyDeleteShows like HIMYM, Grey's Anatomy have lost their appeal to a certain extent for me, mainly because the stories just arent the same. Pretty Little Liars is on its 4th and has been renewed for the 5th as well, but I haven't seen any progress..just more questions and minimal answers.
On the other hand, The Big Bang Theory is still doing so great and is my favorite comedy at the moment. Castle is on its sixth season but I still thoroughly enjoy watching it.
So IMO it can stay on the air for a long time as long as the plot/acting/writing are all still really good!
From what I watch, I totally agree. Writers seem to not know what to do after a main plotline is over. For example, after Buffy graduated from HS in season 4, it was all downhill from there until the season 7 sendoff.
ReplyDeleteA current example could be Supernatural, after dealing with Lucifer in season 5, it hasn't been the same - that was the perfect ending, not that i'm complaining, I'm still there number one fan
Depends On The Show And The Fan-Base.
ReplyDeleteDepends on the show.
ReplyDeletecriminal minds is one clear example
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the show.
ReplyDeleteBut serialized shows usually decline when they air for too long, more than 7 seasons for a serialized show is extremely complicated.
The "too long" already implies that the show is on longer than it should be, so I say 'yes'.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it depends on the show, I suppose. However, I voted yes because there has been a few shows that I stopped watching because I thought they ran for too long, two of which are currently still running. I mean, sometimes there is only so much you can do with a show before it starts getting repetitive and boring.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to ask someone about the future of Criminal Minds. Do you think the show should finish soon or is the quality still good enough for fans to enjoy?
ReplyDeleteOh! My poll was picked up :D!
ReplyDeleteIn this regard, I think yes, shows that go for more than 6 and 7 years tend to see some decline in quality; Supernatural never reached the same heights after season 5, Smallville lost some of its charm after season 7, ER became repetitive after season 8, and I'm sure there are more examples to mention
Pablozky, there is a typo in the title.I think you meant 'being on the air' not 'being in the air'
ReplyDeleteI think what happens to any show that hurts it is the writers run out of ideas to keep it fresh. This could happen whether it be season 1 or season 10. It is more likely to happen the longer a series is on air, but I don't think it should be a reason shows shouldn't stay on for many a year. Some of my all time favourite, most memorable (for good reasons) series are all 5 seasons or longer.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the show, but if I had to choose I would say yes, having a show on air for too long can lose quality and even worse turn the fans away. Even though each show is different, the writers and show runner should have a 'deadline' to write all of their best stories and then conclude when the time is right (before the network decides to cancel the show without a proper ending). Don't drag the show on when they have no new ideas and decide to 'recycle' old stories from the past.
ReplyDeleteShows like NCIS, TBBT, Criminal Minds and even Two and a Half Men, I can't picture it in my mind when these shows will end. They could go on for a long time (and I won't complain), but would money and costings be the reason that these shows will suffer in the future?
The quality of the show suffers when actors grow too old for their parts and also when, as time goes by, actors leave the show to go to others, die, get pregnant, things like that. Then stories have to be written around whatever is going on with the actors and it looks too obvious. Since some have mentioned TBBT, I do think the actors now look too old for their parts. Living with roommates is kind of a young adult thing and these men are past that.
ReplyDeleteUsyally but not always
ReplyDeleteI find shows taking place in the air inevitably suffer in quality!
ReplyDeleteOh wait, I bet you meant "on" the air...
If so, usually they suffer as well.
I think it is a rare thing for a series to have a showrunner that has a detailed full series plan laid out and is given a chance by the network to stick to it. Often times the show will not make the desired amount of season for the original plan to work.... And of course sometimes a series is such a success that the network wants more seasons than originally planned.
To me, procedurals can go on a very long time if they find a way to keep it fresh by cycling in new actors to tweak the character dynamics. They do get repetitive, but most fans watch procedurals for the characters- not the story- so they do not mind.
Serialized shows work best in a shorter amount of seasons usually.
It depends on the set up and the story of course, but it often times feels like the overall narrative is being drawn out if a serial goes on too long.
A lot of the time they really seem to have no end game in sight and move from one seasonal arc to the next and manage to lose the original meaning of the series. At least to me.
They can still be fun, and can actually manage to stay relevant even, but I usually feel it is more of a a network cop out to drag out the series without caring about the actual series' story at all.
I went with unsure because it does depend on the show
ReplyDeletePrepositions are my worst enemy!!! xD. Thanks for the correction, I'll keep it in mind :)
ReplyDeleteDepends on the show, but mostly yes.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure many will disagree,but for me it needs to end.
ReplyDeleteYour welcome! :)
ReplyDeleteFor me it depends on the show.
ReplyDeleteYes just look at Supernatural
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the show and most of all its writers. It also depends on what you mean when you say "for too long". For me 5/6 season it's the ideal journey for a show,.You can tell a good story without reaching the point where you have nothing to tell anymore .
ReplyDeleteMost of the series I liked that went on for more than 6 seasons lost their spark in dragging the story for too long.
Grey's Anatomy for exemple. The writers are tired, the story is tired, the show itself is tired, ABC sadly is not.
I think it highly depends on TPTB. Personnel changes in front or behind the camera can greatly affect the quality of a show.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the show!! Theres alot of shows that sucked and lost their spark : One Tree Hill is the main one for me it was AMAZING in Season1-4 then after 5-9 it really sucked!! Supernatural also lost it after season 5 but it got back up around season 8. But shows like Friends and The Big Bang Theory its just amazing as it goes on. But then How i met Your Mother for me its one of the worst comedy right now on TV it was amazing at first but after maybe season 6-7 its not funny anymore and they are trying to much...
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the show. If the show is like HIMYM then yes, some other series also. But again it depends entirely on the show.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the writers, however, I find it's often the case that a long lasting show ends up repeating story lines or making the characters do something they wouldn't normally do with no good explanation just to mix things up.
ReplyDeleteOr the Mentalist. With the Red John story resolved, I've lost interest. If it was done earlier it the show and they had something else to follow it, it wouldn't have lost some of my interest.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of serialized shows having shorter seasons to have less filler episodes and more myth-arc, but the same amount of seasons (at least).
ReplyDeleteDepends of the show, the writers, and a lot of factors I think. For example, a show like The Good Wife has actually improved as the show matured in age. On the other side, for me, TBBT has not been up to par since season 3, while another veteran, Community, just keeps getting better and better (minus the non-Harmon 4th season, which was still light years beyond any other comedy imo.)
ReplyDeleteI'd say for the most part, yes. Few shows can handle staying on the air for so long while maintaining or even improving the quality. It very much depends on the writers and whether or not they come up with something new and inventive while still maintaining what the show is, but many either fail in that regard of come up with nonsense.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what you like about the show. I actually felt like the cases of the week were very strong in season 7 and the first half of season 8, but have been weaker since then. I don't think the show can survive losing more than one more main cast member besides Alex, who is still new-ish. I see it getting 11, maybe 12 seasons, which is still dragging it out quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteIt absolutely can. Some shows that have suffered from being on too long: Smallville, Supernatural, House, Grey's Anatomy, CSI, The Vampire Diaries, Heroes, How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, True Blood, Modern Family. Criminal Minds and Community are cutting it close.
ReplyDeleteUsually yes. Anyone else remember wanting to kill off Heroes by the time it finally died? I think those first two seasons were incredible but they should have ended on a high note.
ReplyDeletePLL, Bones, HIMYM....I used to watch all of them but I lost interest. :(
It depends on the show I love Pretty Little Liars but to me been on to long they still in high school when is they ever going graduate and how many people have they wrong their teenagers then they give you answers but with more questions sometimes it's bit annoying some shows could have another season I love One Tree Hill I thought this show could've had another season to me I think as long as you keep the shows fresh I don't think it be a problem if it's on the air long
ReplyDeleteDisagree with Buffy, Season 5 is amazing.
ReplyDeleteAll depends on the show and character development and writers...tho I would recommend AHS style for certain shows as it keeps it fresh. I always respect a show that keeps it to a limited number of series or episodes per series.
ReplyDeleteDepends on the show. For example, Supernatural, Friends and Frasier were great or are still great(yes I know some will argue about Supernatural, but even with it's faults in seasons 6-7, it's still a superior show to most IMO). I thought it hurt for MASH and Roseanne for example. MASH got too serious and political and Roseanne got ridiculous. That's just off the top of my head.
ReplyDeleteYes it does. A show can make a little bit of a comeback in it's later seasons, but it'll never have the spark it once had. It'll have a completely different spark, if it still has a spark at all that is. Some shows need to just end, and stop dragging it out. But then again, it also depends on the show.
ReplyDeleteI have to point at the Simpsons as case in point. They are still doing innovative things with that show even 26 years after their debut. I think it is sloppy writing which prevents shows from becoming stale. There are plenty of stories to write they are limited by the vision of a hackney writing staff.
ReplyDelete@laura3341 I'm sure you meant *You're* welcome... :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with your example. I couldn't even begin to imagine Sheldon living on his own and there is no way that he's moving in with Amy unless it was as her roommate. And Leonard and Penny have already said that they're not moving in together because they'd have to figure out living arrangements for Sheldon.
ReplyDeleteThere are shows not built to last for x seasons! It just the type of the show that will defines how long it will be preferable for it to last! i.e. Big Bang is "kinda generic" at first, so they can always fine characters and storylines to build around, but if you take The Following (that I liked), I really think this show shouldn't last more than 2/3 seasons.
ReplyDeleteI sure did! Just call me lazy! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'll keep watching cause I've already invested 9 years of my life to see how it ends but the show hasn't been the same since season 5.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, in my experience. I see every show (unless it's 100% procedural, like say Law & Order) as a story, and every story has to come to an end at some point. Of course, writers don't have the entire story figured out as soon as the show starts - a lot gets added over time. Still, there's only so long you can develop the world and the characters before the show runs its course.
ReplyDeleteI know many, many, many people vehemently disagree with me, hence the show still being around, but I think Supernatural is a cautionary tale about what happens when a show refuses to end. In my opinion the overarching storyline of the show concluded in Season 5 (albeit in a disappointing, anticlimactic way) when Lucifer was trapped again. I haven't been watching since because I found that season very weak (and even the previous two seasons had a lot of things that bothered me, like the blatant misogyny), but from what I've heard, all they do now is recycle storylines and drag things out endlessly. When I randomly see a comment saying something like "I can't believe Dean didn't look for Sam" (or was it vice-versa? Whatever), I'm like "People STILL care about this stupid angst and stupid endless heavy-handed melodrama?". There are shows I love dearly, don't get me wrong. But I sure wouldn't be there in a theoretical Season 9 watching Emily and Victoria from Revenge having the same icy confrontation for the 1000000000000th time. Supernatural is obviously doing something right when it comes to the opinion of the masses, because it's so successful, but to me it's a show that wore out its welcome years ago.
Totally agree about serialized shows, I think they would benefit a lot from cable-like short seasons. The writers could trim the fat and write leaner, meaner seasons without any filler episodes. If networks were able to create a model where serialized shows always had 10-13 episode seasons, and these seasons aired completely uninterrupted, I think it could do wonders to the ratings. No stupid breaks, no losing the momentum, just one short and strong run every year. Of course, since that would mean a significant increase in the number of shows on the network (unless they keep serialized dramas to a minimum), I'm not sure they have the resources to do it.
ReplyDeleteNah, not lazy...mobile devices...darn them! ;-)
ReplyDeleteLoL!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteI think it's very subjective. It depends on you as much as the show. It's difficult to define what quality means.
ReplyDeleteSome people might say Buffy was better in earlier Seasons. Seasons 2, 3 and 5 are my favourites. Season 1 and 4 had some good episodes but were largely uninteresting, 6&7 had midseason dips the size of canyons but had good beginnings and endings.
There is no wrong answer to this question. I guess I'm going with 'unsure' because I'm not sure how I feel about it myself. Some shows I've gone off, but I'm not sure whether that was me or some overall change in the show.
I agree it's gone downhill since then. The showrunner leaving the show along with other long time writers surely had a big role in it.
ReplyDeleteUsually yes, but not necessarily always. Sometimes shows go through rocky patches when they are on for too long but then bounce back later. Other times it is a string of downhill with sparks of former greatness along the way. It's those sparks that can keep you going until the bitter end.
ReplyDeleteBuffy, X-Files, and Supernatural were the first shows I thought when I saw this question. I would agree that Buffy 1-3 was its prime time. Three seasons of great, 1 season of blah with a few killer episodes thrown in, and then season 5 - the descent into viewer hell from which the show could never recover. I had never been so disappointed in a show up to that point...well except X-Files which equally sucked out loud that same year. Now that prize goes to Supernatural season 8.
ReplyDeleteI still watch SPN. 9 yrs running. I don't have the passion i once had for it. I agree on half of what you said in this whole comment. But as a true fan at heart. I can't stop watching until the series is over. It still keeps me interested (and dear god not for the brothers) but i still enjoy the storylines and characters overall. But TBH, i felt the show could've stopped in season 7. The fans just won't let the show go. And no one imagined it lasting this long. In fact they only had plans til season 4, in the very beginning, everything else afterwards has been write as they go. And i strongly believe Jensen and Jared are ready to move on too. I see it in their faces every time CC rolls around. Don't get me wrong they're VERY grateful for the love and support we give them, but i can also see, they want to do other things, and try to close this chapter of their lives.
ReplyDeleteHa! 2 or 3 seasons?? Are you kidding?? 5 tops!! There's soo much that could be done with The Following. No more than 5 would be great. B/c usually with every show season 3 and/or season 4, are the ones that are THE best out of a whole series. Season 2 is when you're still building up and 3 is when you actually find your awesomeness, your voice, ya know?? And it just sky rockets after that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you as well. I thought I was the only one thinking about this. Yes, Criminal Minds has been on air for a long time, the episodes have been the same since day one (except for a few long story arcs with a particular unsub). But lately, the unsubs are getting crazier and the episodes are getting wacky. Still love the cast, but this show should end soon and let a new show get a chance on that night and time.
ReplyDeleteI actually like Criminal Minds during seasons 2-6. Around Season 7 I noticed the stories were getting weird. But for Seasons 8 and 9 the stories are sliding and going downhill.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment, the ratings are solid for Criminal Minds and it's always winning Wednesday nights so I don't think it's going away just yet. The only thing that could end the show is costings/money (for the cast) or if one of the original actors leaves the show.
Thanks for saying your thoughts, I've always wanted to hear someone's opinion about the future of CM.
It depends. Some shows get better. Some lose their grip. I don't think it depends on the show but the showrunner and writers more than the length of time on the air. We've all seen series that couldn't handle the 2 eps that aired.
ReplyDeleteI really think that it depends on the show, so generally "no".
ReplyDeleteE.g. Castle is in S6, same with the Mentalist and they get better and better. Though I completely lost interest in Bones, and the last season of House didnt do it for me. I loves Grey's but now ... its boring. So it's pretty up to the show. The writers. And if the cast changes or not. The X-Files were great but without Mulder/David Duchovny it wasnt he same anymore.
I agree about Bones. The character development just gets richer with time. You can go into deeper areas with a richly developed cast, with strong and deep relationships.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it is true that some shows stick around after their glory days have come and gone.
I agree about Dexter. The last couple of seasons were not anywhere near the levels of the first four seasons.
ReplyDeleteOh i loved One Tree Hill too and i do think the show should have a 10 and final season.
ReplyDeleteOkay, then. Ignore my example. The point I'm trying to make is, a show loses quality when the actors age out of their roles (Walt! Walt!). I mean when the situation they are in is at first cute and funny, but become more pathetic as wrinkles set in. I think the original "jumping the shark" moment was in Happy Days, when the Fonz did just that, but I believe what really killed the show was that Henry Winkler and ensemble were showing their age and no longer looked the age their characters were supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteWriters who are sensitive to this can overcome the problem by adjusting the situation of the character. A good example of this is Buffy, who came to us as a sweet, young, high-school girl who just happened to kick ass. After a few years, SMG looked older than high-school age. No problem. She graduated high school and was written as the young adult she was at the time.
I don't think the show can survive too long without going back to patterns it will already have explored. But, yep, that's just me. The 1st season was perfectly done and everything, but I already found myself doubting some of its aspects, focuses or characters.
ReplyDeleteI'm about to begin season 2, maybe I'll change my mind then :D
Yeahhh that's totally all you. LOL Begin season 2?? You didn't watch the premiere last night?
ReplyDelete