What was the last 50 min. long tv show ?
 

I am guessing it was sometime in the mid to late 1970s maybe Starsky and Hutch or Charlie's Angels. Does anyone know for sure ?

I think "Fringe" is about 50 mins...

I meant to say over commerical network television when the higher ups decided we needed 15-20 minutes of commericals rather than 8-9 minutes that was the norm for the time.

^I know what you mean, when was the actual shift that changed the entire landscape of TV... but Fringe is in fact usually close to 50 minutes each week on Network TV.

First thing I thought of.

Dollhouse will evidently be the same way:

http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/05/16/fo...and-dollhouse/

I believe they're going to follow a similar formula with Dollhouse on FOX. Should be ~50 mins/episode.

EDIT: Haha, just got beat!

That's what I was going to say.

I know Fringe is around ~50 minutes each week. I don't think it's been mentioned either, but Dollhouse should be around that same length as well.

Dexter is about 50 minutes.

rotfl

I have some St. Elsewhere's on tape that are in the 49 minute range which was 1982. It was at 44-45 for a while. Seems to be around 41-42 now.

Did anyone mention Fringe? I heard rumors that Dollhouse may be that way, as well.

Haven't seen this mentioned, but apparently there is a show on Fox that is about 50 minutes long right now, I heard one of their upcoming Friday shows will as well.

I believe a few HBO/Showtime shows run around that length as well.

I'd guess the non-musical part of SNL would run around 50 minutes, but I'm not certain.

On TV today? Fringe. Upcoming? Dollhouse.

I'm surpised no one's mentioned Bangs and Playhouse.

IIRC, Twin Peaks was around 50 minutes per episode.

Josh Wheadon (sp?) is a moron. Why make Dollhouse 50 minutes? You know Fox is going to want 20 minutes of ads. He might get away with 50 minutes for a few weeks but then the shows will have to be edited down to the normal episode length. If he refuses, hmmm... wonder which show Fox will be ready to cancel since they can get other shows to be in that spot & get the normal ad $$? Of course, fanboys will blame Fox, never the guy who made the show too long. Don't know anything about it but it will probably cost more $$ than most shows to make. Since commercials pay for the show, not bringing in enough $$ = the show is a loss. The network would be stupid to keep a show on the air that is costing them $$ instead of making a profit.

I'm happy to see the return of Sexy Groucho. :lol:

Fox's new "Remote Free TV" featiure. DUH!

Fringe uses this to be one of the few nationally broadcasted television shows that is 50mins.

Simply put, the show before or after the "Remote Free TV" show gets slightly more ads. House had to padded by one minute because now House has more commercials. Fringe has around two to three 60 sceond breaks and one 90 second break. Fox wants to combat DVR users who fast foward pass commercials and its working. So they are going to give Dollhouse the same "Remote Free TV" treatment to help it gain footing especially during its Friday night run. If Dollhouse is successful as well with the feature, then expect to see this on more shows in the next season.

Classic. :lol:

Miami Vice s1 had 52 minute episodes

I don't think there was a definitive point in time where all the networks decided 'hey we can make more money by shortening shows and adding more commercials'. It was just something that occurred over time and there are still exceptions. For example, Fringe on Fox runs 50 minutes and I beleive Joss Whedon's show Dollhouse will run the same.

Yup, and Fox is also well on their way to showing exclusively hard core porn.