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NBC Heroes
Heroes, Dollhouse, and Chuck were all renewed for the 2009-2010 seasons of television in spite of low or lagging numbers. All three shows considered “on the bubble” at different periods of the spring renewal decisions were brought back with fewer than the standard model of 21-22 episodes. For Heroes the abbreviated season is nineteen episodes. Nearly a full season of other television shows. Both Dollhouse and Chuck will return with only 13 episodes.
Shortened seasons allow for lower production costs, greater freedom for actors to be involved in other projects, and most importantly a tight focus for the writers. LOST has proven with its 16 episode seasons that storylines become tighter and the pacing has a better drive with fewer episodes. While it can seem disappointing for the viewer initially, in the end the pay off is worth it.
Heroes will definitely benefit the most from the shortened season model. This show has lacked focus which frustrated viewers for the last two seasons. The return of Brian Fuller has seemed to help with this issue and shortening the season from their practice of 25 episodes can only enhance the pacing and prevent wandering of this show.
For Chuck and Dollhouse the benefit is simply that they will return. A full season of either show was never in the cards. Thirteen episode seasons were the only chance they had of returning, and the networks made a big concession to fans in bringing back these two under-viewed shows in limited seasons.
In the end, the short season model works very well in Britain, has been gold for LOST and has saved some shows from the graveyard. While it may leave fans yearning for more during a longer break between seasons, it is far preferable to having nothing to wait for at all.
For more info:
Dollhouse and the mystery 13th episode.
"Chuck Vs. the Dream Job"
Bryan Fuller's return to Heroes brings some much needed resolution.
Comments
Let's hope the same model will work for Reaper, which we still believe will get renewed in syndication with CW affiliates via a direct deal with ABC Studios. We need fan support! All details at reaperdmv.
Its a bad excuse that longer seasons make worse seasons, doesn't happen if you hire good writers. (Unless of course the network don't give them enough time, in which case the networks should stop saying they value scripted programming)
Shorter seasons are more to the point, so I'm actually in for it. I think it's a good idea.
Long seasons ofter require Bad,bad filler episodes... I mean, the writer staff can't finish every episode with a cliff hanger, it's just not possible and leads eventually to bad story lines.
All for it! Quality over quantity, people
Ummm, that's spelled Bryan Fuller.
Longer season doesn't equal lack of focus. Season 1 of Heroes was very well done. The lack of focus was caused by a lack of focus. LOST went to 16 episodes because they had a specific number they wanted to do and split it out to 6 seasons. I don't agree with your conclusions except that the shortened orders allowed for "Chuck" to return. And that's worth it for me. :)
It's true that shorter seasons aren't required for focus. However, short seasons force writers to focus. It is my undestanding the writers of LOST approached the network because they wanted an endpoint and a number of episodes so that they wouldn't find themselves writing filler because they had too many episodes to cover the planned material for a given season.
Well, in the UK we have short seasons (often as short as six episodes, and rarely longer than 13) so I don't see why it can't work. (As I understand it, pay cable in the USA also tends to like shortish runs.)
Mind you, even Doctor Who and Torchwood have filler episodes (and they only have 13 episode runs) so maybe it wouldn't help in storytelling terms...
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