Are Seasons Getting Shorter?

DJ Doena · September 16, 2009, 01:42:52 PM

Hi,

I understand that first seasons are often half-length (i.e. 22 / 2 = 13) but is it just me or are more shows getting shorter even in later seasons?

For example True Blood: only 12 episodes per season. Burn Notice: 12 / 16 / 16. LOST has an average of 16 episodes for the seasons 4-6.

And still stores like Amazon ask full prices for these as if there were 22 episodes in the box:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001XRLWPQ/ 26 dollars for 10 episodes.

(And I even "save" 14 dollars!

)

goodguy · September 16, 2009, 03:18:22 PM

Quote from: DJ Doena on September 16, 2009, 01:42:52 PM
For example True Blood: only 12 episodes per season.

HBO shows were always that short and rather pricey too. Only a few years ago, the SRP for something like Deadwood or Carnivale was 99 USD.

Achim · September 16, 2009, 03:58:03 PM

Quote from: DJ Doena on September 16, 2009, 01:42:52 PM
I understand that first seasons are often half-length (i.e. 22 / 2 = 13) but is it just me or are more shows getting shorter even in later seasons?

For example True Blood: only 12 episodes per season. Burn Notice: 12 / 16 / 16. LOST has an average of 16 episodes for the seasons 4-6.

At least for True Blood I'd say that it's because of HBO who traditionally go for shorte seasons? I could be completely out of line here though

QuoteAnd still stores like Amazon ask full prices for these as if there were 22 episodes in the box:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001XRLWPQ/ 26 dollars for 10 episodes. (And I even "save" 14 dollars! )

You make it sound like it's Amazon's fault and t5hen already let them off the hook yourself. You "save" 14 dollars off the SRP, which is set by the studio. So, Amazon's price is as low as the studios allow.

It's still sad that the studios don't know the simple math...

EDIT:
Just re-read Matthias post and see he already said the same thing about the HBO shows.

DJ Doena · September 16, 2009, 04:02:25 PM

Quote from: Achim on September 16, 2009, 03:58:03 PM
You make it sound like it's Amazon's fault and then already let them off the hook yourself. You "save" 14 dollars off the SRP, which is set by the studio. So, Amazon's price is as low as the studios allow.

They ask for this price, so I blame them. I am simple that way.

Achim · September 16, 2009, 04:08:59 PM

Quote from: DJ Doena on September 16, 2009, 04:02:25 PM
They ask for this price, so I blame them. I am simple that way.

But that's like laming Invelos for Skip's behavior.

you may have a point there.

goodguy · September 16, 2009, 05:55:06 PM

Actually, it isn't just HBO, but most cable shows that always had shorter seasons. But HBO are the ones that continously managed to stay in the upper price segment. I don't blame them, though, because they produce on an entirely different quality level.

As for the networks: I think it's since the last writers strike that at least some of them have changed their season schedule.

MEJHarrison · September 16, 2009, 06:36:03 PM

You've picked bad examples. As mentioned already, Tru Blood is HBO and they always have short seasons. Burn Notice is USA and they also typically do runs of 16 episodes (see Monk, Psych, etc.) As for Lost, they could have wrapped it up in 2 24 episode seasons, but decided to go for 3 16 episode seasons.

In general, I don't think there's a big shift towards shorter seasons.

Dragonfire · September 17, 2009, 06:00:12 AM

TNT's shows have shorter seasons too..The Closer has been 12 to 14 episodes every season. I think the F/X shows have shorter seasons as well. The cable networks just seem to go for shorter seasons.

I did read that NBC only ordered like 13 episodes of Chuck for the third season, but they have an option for like 6 more.

Najemikon · September 17, 2009, 07:30:09 PM

Bones Season 3 is only about 16 episodes and I believe it was held up halfway by the writer's strike. I just finished it and was very disappointed with the DVD set.

Season 1 and 2 were 22 and 21 episodes each, as the overview on the back proudly tells us, packaged in six discs. Season 3 is the same design, but only 5 discs (and the overview is careful not to mention how many episodes). Worse, that fifth disc is actually the first three episodes of season 4! The disc will apparently be missing from that set...

But the series itself was clearly compromised. The main story arc loses steam halfway and is resolved in the last episode (brilliant, but deserved far more time). In the middle, there's an episode that wasn't aired in season two, so suddenly the story doesn't make sense! Really frustrating. The US has some of the best series about, but they show them no respect. British series may be shorter on average, but they're always delivered properly.

DJ Doena · September 17, 2009, 08:34:46 PM

Quote from: Jon on September 17, 2009, 07:30:09 PM
Bones Season 3 is only about 16 episodes and I believe it was held up halfway by the writer's strike.

There are a lot of short seasons for this year but this is a reason I can understand.

QuoteIn the middle, there's an episode that wasn't aired in season two, so suddenly the story doesn't make sense!

Could you explain which episode and plot you mean? I've started to watch Bones recently and really liked it.

Najemikon · September 17, 2009, 09:02:02 PM

Quote from: DJ Doena on September 17, 2009, 08:34:46 PM
Quote from: Jon on September 17, 2009, 07:30:09 PM
In the middle, there's an episode that wasn't aired in season two, so suddenly the story doesn't make sense!

Could you explain which episode and plot you mean? I've started to watch Bones recently and really liked it.

By the end of Season Two, there has been a substantial development for two characters. This episode -Player Under Pressure- takes place before that development happened, so it's out of step. There are two versions of the episode (another way of the cheeky sods to bump up the running time when compared with the earlier sets!) and one is less jarring than the other, but it still feels wrong.

Apparently the episode was pulled because it's about a murder on a college campus and would have coincided with the Virginia Tech shootings.

It's still a great series though. Several episodes from season three are marvellous and all fit in the mould of the plot being quite straightforward, and just a way for Brennan and Booth to do their thing. Plus there's always that faint whiff of something bonkers! The start of the last episode of season 3 is just outrageous...

addicted2dvd · September 17, 2009, 09:39:48 PM

I can't wait... the new season of Bones starts tonight!

DJ Doena · September 17, 2009, 10:41:05 PM

Quote from: Jon on September 17, 2009, 09:02:02 PM
By the end of Season Two, there has been a substantial development for two characters. This episode -Player Under Pressure- takes place before that development happened, so it's out of step.

You mean [spoiler]Hodgins and Angela?[/spoiler]

I didn't notice that in the episode, have to watch it again.

Dragonfire · September 17, 2009, 10:57:51 PM

I was a bit disappointed with the DVD set for the 3rd season of Bones too...I understand the season was shorter because of the writer's strike - everything was that year - but the price was the same as the longer seasons. That was really annoying. And I didn't care about having the first few episodes of season 4 on the set too. Makes me wonder if those episodes will be on the 4th season set too.

I wasn't happy with some aspects of the fourth season...but I still enjoyed the show overall. I would sort of ...zone out during a storyline I didn't like as much.

addicted2dvd · September 17, 2009, 11:33:55 PM

If I remember right... I read over at tvshowsondvd.com that those season 4 episodes in the season 3 set will NOT be in the season 4 set. In one way this is understandable... but I would have preferred all the season 4 episodes together in the season 4 set.

Are Seasons Getting Shorter?

MEJHarrison

Najemikon

Najemikon