New Tv

[Michael Haines]

I was reading in this month's WIRED how one ABC executive thought TV should
turn toward more closed-ended series. Something that would run for two years
and only two years. It would tell a complete story from beginning to end.

It is interesting to note this comes from the LOST network who has this new
hit show that has to end sometime, that has to have a definite ending in
mind already (or better). Otherwise you risk alienating your core audience
the way X-Files did. The way Alias is doing now.

Anyway, I wanted to stand up and shout: "This has already been done!"

But the bathroom echoes...

Mike Haines

[Jan]

It is interesting to note this comes from the LOST network who has this new
hit show that has to end sometime, that has to have a definite ending in
mind already (or better). Otherwise you risk alienating your core audience
the way X-Files did. The way Alias is doing now.

I've been hearing that Lost may not be all that pre-planned. And quite a few people are getting annoyed already that nothing ever seems to get paid off.

Anyway, I wanted to stand up and shout: "This has already been done!"

But the bathroom echoes...

LOL! Welcome, Michael! I wish I thought that this 'new' model of doing things would cause the networks to allow new shows to find their audiences before disappearing without a trace.

Jan

[Satai Delenn]

Confused ? I have read it twice what does LOST have to do with Babylon 5 the series ?If anything maybe offtopic .Welcome to the forum.

[Jan]

The idea is that Lost is supposed to be an ongoing story the way that B5 was, Satai. Just as the 'new thing' that the ABC Executive was talking about would be closed end series as B5 already was-quite a while ago.

Jan

[Radhil]

I've been hearing that Lost may not be all that pre-planned. And quite a few people are getting annoyed already that nothing ever seems to get paid off.

I'm of the opinion that while a hazy idea might be sketched out, the full road map of points A-D have yet to be determined. So no, not B5 style.

I'm also of the opinion that whiners should not expect the island to completely self-destruct every season (re: Alias), lest they get bored.

[Night Marshal]

I've been hearing that Lost may not be all that pre-planned. And quite a few people are getting annoyed already that nothing ever seems to get paid off.

Jan

Honestly this is the thing that scares me the more about Battlestar Galatica. Because the more I hear Moore talk about the show in his pod cast the more i think he shoting from the hip and only plains to end the show when it become unprofitable. He does come from a star trek background . If nothing else I hope the quallity stay high for the future.

All Kiding aside I don't know of any show currently on the air that have a plained storyline which when finished the show will come to an end.

[rallytbk]

I was reading in this month's WIRED how one ABC executive thought TV should turn toward more closed-ended series. Something that would run for two years and only two years. It would tell a complete story from beginning to endà Otherwise you risk alienating your core audience
the way X-Files did. The way Alias is doing now.

The Spanish channels novellas have been doing it for years, and they have a strong following, lol. Considering now it can be applied to any show bring tears to my eyesà

Kidding aside, it is a good idea to have closed-ended shows; imagine having a tightly written show made for both broadcast and later DVD sales? With shows going up to 10+ years in production and syndication, sometimes it is not possible for people to collect all the seasons/episodes and have a cohesive feeling of watching the shows with friends who have not watched the shows before.

I welcome this new format of programming, if it brings greate closure to shows with great beginnings.

[Laiden]

Honestly this is the thing that scares me the more about Battlestar Galatica. Because the more I hear Moore talk about the show in his pod cast the more i think he shoting from the hip and only plains to end the show when it become unprofitable. He does come from a star trek background . If nothing else I hope the quallity stay high for the future.

Moore has the cultures and religion and background of the series, and he also probably has a plan of what he wants to do for X number of seasons, but nothing too specific. but you also have to understand one of his famous Star Trek Backgrounds is Deep Space Nine, which is a series that became very plot-involved in the ladder half of the series.

[The Puzzled Pak'Ma'Ra]

... A 2-year series meant to tell a story... a 2-year arc? Sounds pretty good to me. Episodic (episodal?) TV is great for sitcoms ('Seinfeld' being the one great exception), but I'd like to see a greater continuing connection through episodes.

... And two years is probably just about right for networks. I recall reading a comment by JMS in the Lurker's Guide, about Star Trek in particular, that after a few years, if a show is successful, talent salaries get so high that networks make zero profit, or even go in the red - as happened with Star Trek TNG. The networks have to wait for the show to go to syndication to get their money back.

... Not that I can watch US television here, but I might go home one day, and it would be nice to have something decent to watch.

[Night Marshal]

Moore has the cultures and religion and background of the series, and he also probably has a plan of what he wants to do for X number of seasons, but nothing too specific. but you also have to understand one of his famous Star Trek Backgrounds is Deep Space Nine, which is a series that became very plot-involved in the ladder half of the series.

I'm not saying Moore doesn't have a plan I just don't its much of one. I mean JMS had and idea for every Ep for every season Granted those plans change as the series changed. Moore just doesn't seem to me be that well thought out. I like what I see so far in BSG i just hope it keep the quallity level up.

[Towelmaster]

It's all very well and easy for an executive to say this. HE doesn't have to write the series. And I do believe that not many people in TV-land have the skills(in that respect) of Joe Michael Straczinsky.

It's a bit like saying 'Let's all write more like Heinlein!". Ri-i-i-ght...

[grumbler]

I think it is actually a lot easier to write for a series that has an arc and an end. You get a better idea of what is desired, you can kill off charactors if needed, etc.

Plus, each episode can have some bite if there are only two season's worth. I have only seen the one season (13 episodes) of BSG and noted that even in a 13 ep season they had some filler eps where nothing much happens, probably because they were just treading water at that point.