NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

This sucks if it is true.

I hope Parks & Recreation and Up All Night return.

http://www.tv.com/news/news-briefs-n...omedies-28601/


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Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Another 13 episodes of Community is better than none, but I think that it is time to just cut the cord with The Office.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I don't watch either but Whitney is "probably done" but no mention of Chelsea? Maybe they are trying to wipe it from their collective memories? :lol:

It's understandable about shortening seasons but I'd rather they cut down their dramas instead.

However, as I've said before, all network shows need to start working off a 12/13 episode a season schedule.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Dramas are the ones that need to be and should be 13 episodes a season. Comedies are fine at 22. Although...I am all for a FINAL 13 episode run of both The Office and 30 Rock. Both are ready to end, with The Office well overstaying its welcome. P&R is the only comedy I'm upset about not getting a full season. If this was 2 years ago I'd feel the same about Community, IMO its not what it was. Still great, and better than most on TV though.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Yeah if this means 13 more episodes of Community I'm all for it.

As for the Office, I dumped it last season due to conflicts but watched over the summer and picked it back up this season. I dumped it again a couple weeks ago. Just abysmal. I couldn't even muster up enough energy to make it a few more weeks to the finale.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I still have trouble wrapping my head around the fact that Parks and Recreation isn't a megahit, while shows like Big Bang thrive. Only 13 episodes is kind of a piss off. I'd rather have those 13 instead of none, but Parks deserves better. I LOVE Community but I'm strangely fine with only 13 - they can make those 13 excellent, since overall I find that show to be much more hit and miss. I'm hoping that Up All Night makes the cut, since I really grew to like it a lot.

30 Rock is mostly dead to me now anyhow, so I don't give a shit either way on that one.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I'd like a wrapup season for the office as well. We haven't yet seen how Angela is going to find out about her gay husband.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Doubtful.

P&R is 20 away from Syndication. So it'll get at least that since it's a Universal produced show.

Community is going to be syndicated on Comedy Central, so a full season will practically be free for NBC (Sony hasn't had a syndicated show in a long ass time besides 'Til Death).

Anything other than the above shows how stupid NBC is. The Office is barely breaking 2.0's and everything else has failed. "Spackle" is what the shows will be, but who cares at this point. NBC is screwed.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

This. 22 episodes always leaves huge GAPING hole in the season where nothing new is on. You could do 3 seasons of 3 different 12 episode/season shows in a timeslot and never have to do repeats... making the initial airing "must see TV".

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I like the strategy. According to Variety very, very few shows will be getting a 22 episode order next year (if any) because they are going to start programming "more like cable" with shows premiering and season premiers in a normal rotation. This way all the renewable comedies will have to compete with the new crop to see who will continue into 2013/14. The rumor is 18 episodes is the maximum for them this year (which is kinda what they've already started doing with "Parenthood," "Awake," and "Smash").

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Fewer episodes of higher quality is alright by me. I just want more Community.

Parks and Rec is essentially a lock right now.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

It sounds like this may be dealt with during tomorrow's season finale.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Sounds like NBC liked how shortened seasons worked for Parks and Rec, Community, etc., and now they can work shows in and out of the schedule. Less commitment by the network with less money being spent.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Community and Up All Night need to return to TV. That's all I care about at this point. I like The Office but won't be sad when it ends.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I like this idea quite a bit. As I've said in the weekly Glee threads, the stretches of time when the show isn't airing really hurts my interest level. I'm fine with shorter, tighter seasons.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I agree with this 100%

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Yea. Cut The Office. And make Gabe the Scranton Strangler before it's too late. I know that they caught the strangler a season or two ago. But I still think there are some intentions there.

I'll be bummed if anything happens to 30 Rock and Community. Parks and Rec too. But 30 Rock and Community are really the only shows that I follow and would miss. Cancel The Office, Family Guy, etc. and no biggie. But I'd hate to see those two shows not return. Up All Night is alright filler, but not that appealing to me.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Because people are stupid. I don't understand how Greys Anatomy is still on the air and this is what Parks & Rec is losing too in the ratings?

I just hope Parks & Rec and 30 Rock return in Sept or Oct and we don't have to wait until Jan 2013.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I don't think it has anything to do with stupid. I love Community. Love it. But I also like BBT. The difference for me is I can watch BBT in the background and still enjoy it because it's an easy watch with pretty simple jokes. It doesn't ask a major commitment from me.

Now when I watch Community, I will sit in front of the television and will pay close attention to it because I know that it's much meatier.

I suspect that most people watch television for simple entertainment and don't want to breakdown every joke and refernece. That's why shows like Arrested Development and Community don't ever do very well. Hell, how many people made it to the end of Lost? Not as many as started. It was a lot of work to watch the show.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I'm on the fence. I want more episodes than 13 for P&R and Community, but if the choice is between 0 or 13, I'll take 13 episodes every time.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Maybe they'll see that P&R is by far their strongest comedy from a creative perspective (with apologies to Community which is even more adventurous but isn't on the hot streak P&R is on). Could we perhaps see 13 for the others and 26 for P&R? :)

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I know creatively 13 episode shows end up being stronger. But, cable seasons don't run as long as a network season and they don't have as much money going into their shows. Plus, no matter how bad the ratings are, cable networks let the show's always finish their season.

You do realize that the network would have to greenlight twice as many shows to program for 36 weeks with no repeats. You would need to program for the Fall and Spring. What happens if on a Monday that 2 of 3 new dramas failed and got the axe. Do you move your Spring shows immediately to replace them? What happens if they aren't ready because of a late production start? Then the network would have to spend money for filler shows in case those shows failed.

Plus, shows don't make their money back on the initial airing. They need to be repeated eventually during the slow months like November/December or Early Spring to help make their money back.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I can absolutely see NBC doing this concept but I wouldn't see the other networks following suit.

God, what a mess going on over there. I'll take another 13 episodes of Community I just think no matter what NBC does though it's going to be screwed. They'll never climb out of 4th.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

Since they wouldn't be putting money into 22 episodes per show (only about half that), they could, feasibly, make twice as many shows for around the same amount of money.

And then you can add in a reality show here or there to fill the gaps.

Re: NBC might shorten its returning comedies to 13 episodes
 

I would actually be down with this idea, especially if it's the only way to keep Community on the air. I've long preferred the cable/UK model of shorter, tighter, more focused seasons.

Put Jay Leno on at 10. Problem solved. :)