Why are so many long-running TV shows all ending at the same time?
Lost, Heroes, 24, FlashForward, even Ashes to Ashes.
Is it just a coincidence, or is there some reason for it?
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M$2 Answers
I think that it is becoming tougher to have a long running series in the modern market. When I talk to people about shows the common complaint I hear is that shows run out of steam and exaust a concept. The people I talk about shows with would rather watch a short lived show that tells a story with a beginning and and end rather than a long running show without an over arching story.
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M$
Then there's Law & Order, which was around for 20 years. That's just incredible. I know they wanted more, but I guess the network thought that was a fine point to end it. There were rumors of the show being rescued, but that turned out to be false. I think they pulled the plug also because the show made way for spin offs, which do basically the same thing.
I don't know how long Ashes to Ashes was on. Isn't it 2 seasons? UK shows don't go for as long as we do. I know it hasn't been on for 4 seasons or more, so I don't count it as a long run.
Heroes was on thin ice for a while. I think that's just NBC cutting their losses. Now they have The Cape and Undercovers. Who needs Heroes?
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M$
As a sci-fi lover we've had it rather good the last few years... it seemed like there'd be a new episode from some major series on practically every day.
You might be right about the "interest spreads too thin" idea. Even someone like me that basically likes all the shows mentioned can't spend the time to follow all of them at the same time!
Also it doesn't take too many seasons for something to go from a must-see to something which is still nice but which I can take or leave depending on what else is happening.
Tastes are often cyclical. Someone will come up with something inspiring and the cycle start as it catches fire, channels rush to copy the "winning" formula, oversaturate the market, interest spreads too thin thus low ratings, cancelations, until someone comes up with a new show in a newly narrow market . . . and so on and so on . . .
Now that you mention it I believe you are on to something. What we are seeing could be the end of a Sci-Fi Cycle now that you mention it.
> Well Lost was written to have a firm begining and end
I'm not sure how much the whole story was all thought through from the start. Maybe you know more about that than me. :)
> long running series in the modern market
Does this mean you think it's not a coincidence that so many shows are ending?
One thing I'm wondering about is whether the era of big-budget sci-fi & fantasy shows is passing for now.