Networks Somehow Find Another Way to Resurrect Old Shows
Released on 05/01/2014
(steam train whistle)
Clear!
(buzzing and crackling)
(heartbeat thumping)
It's alive, it's alive!
Beware!
Old network TV shows are coming back to life
in a strange new form.
It's called an event miniseries.
24 Live Another Day premieres on May 5th.
Keifer Sutherland and crew are back for a dozen episodes.
Shouldn't they change the name from 24 to 12?
Meanwhile, Heroes will be reborn as Heroes Reborn.
It just got a 13 episode limited renewal
that'll air in 2015.
Okay seriously, which of you sent letters demanding that?
Because we need to have a talk.
The networks may call
these partially reprieved programs miniseries,
but a dozen or so episodes,
that's actually the length of a full season on HBO or AMC.
Maybe the networks are finally catching wise to the fact
that 24 episodes per season is just too damn many!
When you've got to fill out two dozen episodes,
bad things happen!
Story arcs slow down and meander around.
Top quality actors shy away from signing on
because of the time commitment.
Now, I'm not sure we need to see more shows
brought back from the dead,
but I can think of a lot of shows on TV
that would benefit from being boiled down
to a succinct event miniseries.
I'd actually care who Red John was
if the Mentalist had fewer twists and turns and reversals.
Networks, I demand that you give me less!
What series would you like to see trimmed down?
I, myself, could have done
with 10 or 20 fewer episodes of Lost.
Let me know in the comments
and subscribe to the Wired channel.
Starring: Chris Baker
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