PolyWogg is up first.
What is the most number of episodes you think you can do in a season before actors and the writers are starting to phone it in because they're just tired? The number has decreased for other reasons over the years, 26+ was common long ago I think, but lately 22 seems to be considered "high". Lots of procedurals tap out between 20-24, and some below 20 even.
For many years shows did 39 episodes a season. Some sitcoms in the ‘50s did them live. That was a killer.
For most of the years I was lucky enough to be on hit shows we did between 22-27 a year. It was a crunch but doable. Anything more than that and I think you start cutting corners.
Hour shows have it tougher. Even at 20 they're in production most of the year.
Today of course there are short orders. 6 or 13 a year is becoming commonplace. Yes, it gives you more time to craft the episodes, but if you’re getting paid BY the episode (which most producers and staff writers do) you sure don’t make what we did churning out 26 a year.
I’ll take the money.
Cheryl Marks wonders:
Who "hires" the show runner after the original show runner moves on? I'm thinking of a situation when the show has been on the air for several years and there have been several iterations of show runners. I figure the person, or persons, are promoted from the writers room and have held the position of Executive Producer. So who makes the decision especially if the original creator is no longer in the picture. Also, is it the case that another one of the Executive Producers (aka seasoned writers) that didn't get the job might leave if they didn't get the promotion?
In most cases the original creator/showrunner still is involved although no longer in the trenches. He would make that call.
And yes, sometimes there are more than one candidate and it’s a tough decision because the losing party may just bolt. That has to be taken into consideration.
There are times when the original creator/showrunner is fired and no longer has say. Such was the case with Aaron Sorkin on THE WEST WING and Dan Harmon on COMMUNITY. In those cases the studio or network (often they’re now one and the same) choose his successor.
You know a show is in trouble if it goes through three showrunners in one year. And that happens.
From Waylon Mercy:
If you could redo things, would you have welcomed the idea of Shelley Long coming back not just for the last episode but say for most of or the entire season 11 to wrap up her storyline with Sam?
No. The problem with bringing Shelley back was that we didn’t want her presence to upstage the rest of the cast. I think it would have diminished Kirstie Alley’s role and after putting in six years herself, she didn’t deserve that.
I thought it was great that Shelley came back for the finale. It made that episode very special and allowed the series to come full circle, but to bring her back for more would have been a mistake in my opinion. And you know I love Shelley Long.
And finally from Brian Phillips:
What current or recent cartoon show would you like to submit a script to or work for, Simpsons exempted?
Are they still making Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoons? I don’t watch a lot of nighttime animation. You sure they’re not still making CLONE HIGH? I guess I’d have to say SOUTH PARK. But in my episode they won't kill Kenny.
What’s your Friday Question?
from By Ken Levine
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