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What's your ideal TV series length and style? (lemm.ee)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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A lot of people now are frustrated with contemporary series being much shorter than they used to be. Down from 20-24 episodes a season in the 90s and 00s to about 10-12 in the 10s and 6-10 now (varies somewhat by streaming service and country). People are also frustrated with the big gaps between seasons (The Last of Us, HOTD, Stranger Things) which I do completely agree with and think needs to change.

My ideal is about 10-12. I personally really dislike 20-24 episode long series, and dislike the "monster of the week" formula that many older series used to have. At least for dramatic shows. For sitcoms and adult animation it makes more sense due to much shorter episodes and a more flippant and less high-stakes style of writing (although I don't gravitate so-much to that type of show in the first place).

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago

I think HBO had it right with their 13 episode shows. There’s just enough time for a rich, fulfilling arc, while not feeling rushed.

When it shrunk to 10, we managed it well, but always wanted one more episode. When it dropped to eight, suddenly there was no room to breathe.

Now with them creeping down to 6 & 7, I’m wondering why I even bother investing in a show.

TLOU is kind of frustrating. Season one had 10 episodes (two got squished together as a 90min pilot after they shot them, and that’s why it came out to 9). But season two’s seven measly episodes? Why adapt a show if you’re not even going to explore the story and characters in new ways? There’s no time to do that in seven episodes.

So yeah, when I watch these older shows like sopranos, wire, deadwood… I’m like “hell yeah, this is the sweet spot.” Oh add Andor to that list. 12 worked well for the structure of that show. Both seasons.