NBC shortens 'Heroes' seasons - Blu-ray Forum

WyldeMan45 · 04-23-2009, 08:55 PM

Expect shorter seasons of NBC's struggling sci-fi show from here on out; how will this affect its two-volume seasons?

Word has already gotten out that NBC will be bringing back Heroes for a fourth season, but things may look a little different when all is said and done. NBC is looking to cut back on the episode count of Heroes when it returns next year, says Adage, citing the economy and a growing trend of shorter seasons.

Heroes had been the beneficiary of a super-sized season this cycle, with 25 episodes ordered by the network. But that should trim down to 18 to 20 next season, as NBC's one-time love affair with Sylar and buddies has faded since a worrisome ratings drop-off and the economy forces networks to cut corners any chance they get.

While this would simply mean less hours for a normal show, Heroes likes to do things a little different. The show squeezed two independent mini-seasons (called Volumes) into this season, one taking 12 episodes, the other taking the remainder. It's unclear whether Heroes will try a two-fer with fewer episodes next season.

The notion of a shorter season shouldn't be too surprising. Cable loves to go with shorter seasons for its original programs, and major networks have been experimenting with shorter seasons for their broadcasts. Personally, I think many dramas--particularly serialized shows--suffer creatively with longer seasons and I welcome these new truncated seasons with open arms occupied by tubs of popcorn and remote controls.

What are your thoughts?

http://www.tv.com/story/14210.html?r...ref_name=story

Rblu-Dblu · 04-23-2009, 08:57 PM

I'd like to see them go with a shorter season. I don't think its been very good this season. Thinking about dropping it off of my DVR.

fatediesel · 04-23-2009, 08:58 PM

18-20 episodes is still a decent length season. Lost hasn't had that many episodes since season 3, and it's done fine. Heroes is lucky it is being picked up at all, especially when superior shows like Chuck are in serious jeopardy.

Secretagentnumber6 · 04-23-2009, 09:03 PM

I would like to see them go Lost style and set and end date for the series and just have 2-3 more seasons of 18-20 episdoes and just end it. It is really suffering and the eps are so up and down from week to week. I do not want it to get cancelled but it feels like they are going nowhere most weeks. It needs an end date and a commitment from NBC to stick with it until that end. Then it needs to let Bryan Fuller be the show runner and pay him enough to stick around and not leave for his other projects.

WyldeMan45 · 04-23-2009, 09:43 PM

I was a hardcore Heroes fan through Season 2 and than I just got very very bored. I removed it from my DVR 2 seasons ago I think. I don't even know what season they are on now, but I will eventually finish the show when it's all wrapped up and everything is on Blu.

PS3-Playb3yond · 04-23-2009, 10:31 PM

I don't mind as long as the story is OUTSTANDING!

Heroes is just not what it used to be.

WyldeMan45 · 04-23-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

I don't mind as long as the story is OUTSTANDING!

Heroes is just not what it used to be.

I know I was addicted through season 1, but the finale I was kind of like LAME and than season 2 didn't quite bring it for me, and it's just felt like it's been going downhill ever since than.

Clark Kent · 04-23-2009, 11:03 PM

The show has been plainly awful since the finale of season one. I view this as NBC protecting themselves if the ratings continue to drop any further. It had a lot of potential but the showrunners clearly had no thought out story past the origin stories in season one.

PS3-Playb3yond · 04-24-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

I know I was addicted through season 1, but the finale I was kind of like LAME and than season 2 didn't quite bring it for me, and it's just felt like it's been going downhill ever since than.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

The show has been plainly awful since the finale of season one. I view this as NBC protecting themselves if the ratings continue to drop any further. It had a lot of potential but the showrunners clearly had no thought out story past the origin stories in season one.

I agree with both of you. I still watch the show and I will continue to watch it. I just hope they turn this show around with the season finale or volume 4.

WyldeMan45 · 04-24-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

I agree with both of you. I still watch the and I will continue to watch it. I just hope they turn this show around with the season finale or volume 4.

I tried watching the show once this year and saw Mohinder as The Fly, and that was enough for me to give it up again, lol.

Darkhawk9587 · 04-24-2009, 01:52 AM

I think that this is Heroes final chance to deliver. NBC is shortening the show, and if it is not successful this next season, Heroes shall be no more IMO.

cajmoyper · 04-24-2009, 02:24 AM

You're basically talking about a show that is riding the coattails of it's first and only good season. That tells me that the first season was hugely popular, raised it's own bar and failed. Sad, sad story.

thedarkangel1975 · 04-24-2009, 03:06 AM

I really think people expect Heroes to phenomnal every week. Season One was different, mysytery. That intrigued people. Season two, people knew the mystery and the show was hurt by the writer's strike. Three IMO has been solid. As for Chuck being a more superior and solid show, not by a long shot. Chuck couldn't even hold Coach's jock strap.

PS3-Playb3yond · 04-24-2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

I tried watching the show once this year and saw Mohinder as The Fly, and that was enough for me to give it up again, lol.

You started watching at the worst possible period of the show lol. Volume 3 sucked.

WyldeMan45 · 04-24-2009, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

You started watching at the worst possible period of the show lol. Volume 3 sucked.

That's what everybody said about Volume 2, and Volume 4, I think if 3 of your 4 volumes suck that might be a bad sign, haha.

P@t_Mtl · 04-24-2009, 10:13 AM

I can't wait in 2 or 3 years to see the thread "Remember Heroes, Best Show Ever And NBC Sucks for Cancelling It"

Mr. J · 04-24-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I can't wait in 2 or 3 years to see the thread "Remember Heroes, Best Show Ever And NBC Sucks for Cancelling It"

I agree. This is definitely one of those "You Don't Know What You Got Until It's Gone" type of things! There are some downer episodes of Heroes, but it is overall an excellent series, just like Terminator!

Ator the Invincible · 04-24-2009, 01:14 PM

This is a good move, IMO. I've always thought that serialized dramas should have shorter seasons, like HBO and Showtime shows. (The exception to this is 24, which needs 24 episodes for obvious reasons.) It just allows for the writers to focus on their finite stories better with less filler episodes to pad out the longer season orders. Terminator, for example, is a show that would have GREATLY benefited from a shorter season. So, this is welcome news to me.

Ator the Invincible · 04-24-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noedz

season 3 is a boring episode

I thought Volume 3 started off good, but then just lost focus and became ridiculous. And it simply failed to reach the full potential of the concept behind it. The return of Papa Petrelli should have been an epic. It never really went anywhere though.

Now, Volume 4 has been a HUGE improvement. Still not perfect, but certainly a much more focused storyline. Hopefully the shorter episode order next year will help get things back on track once and for all.

Mr. J · 04-24-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noedz

season 3 is a boring episode

How can Season 3 be a boring episode when it consists of multiple episodes? Season 3 is not an episode! Are you implying that Season 3 in general is boring?

04-23-2009, 08:55 PM	#1
WyldeMan45 Banned Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Western Washington Blu-ray collection:49 Trading Score:15	NBC shortens 'Heroes' seasons Expect shorter seasons of NBC's struggling sci-fi show from here on out; how will this affect its two-volume seasons? Word has already gotten out that NBC will be bringing back Heroes for a fourth season, but things may look a little different when all is said and done. NBC is looking to cut back on the episode count of Heroes when it returns next year, says Adage, citing the economy and a growing trend of shorter seasons. Heroes had been the beneficiary of a super-sized season this cycle, with 25 episodes ordered by the network. But that should trim down to 18 to 20 next season, as NBC's one-time love affair with Sylar and buddies has faded since a worrisome ratings drop-off and the economy forces networks to cut corners any chance they get. While this would simply mean less hours for a normal show, Heroes likes to do things a little different. The show squeezed two independent mini-seasons (called Volumes) into this season, one taking 12 episodes, the other taking the remainder. It's unclear whether Heroes will try a two-fer with fewer episodes next season. The notion of a shorter season shouldn't be too surprising. Cable loves to go with shorter seasons for its original programs, and major networks have been experimenting with shorter seasons for their broadcasts. Personally, I think many dramas--particularly serialized shows--suffer creatively with longer seasons and I welcome these new truncated seasons with open arms occupied by tubs of popcorn and remote controls. What are your thoughts? http://www.tv.com/story/14210.html?r...ref_name=story

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04-23-2009, 08:57 PM	#2
Rblu-Dblu Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2009 Location:Trapped on the Death Star 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:483 Trading Score:12	I'd like to see them go with a shorter season. I don't think its been very good this season. Thinking about dropping it off of my DVR.

04-23-2009, 08:58 PM	#3
fatediesel Blu-ray Count Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Iowa Blu-ray collection:410 Trading Score:47	18-20 episodes is still a decent length season. Lost hasn't had that many episodes since season 3, and it's done fine. Heroes is lucky it is being picked up at all, especially when superior shows like Chuck are in serious jeopardy.

04-23-2009, 09:03 PM	#4
Secretagentnumber6 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Mar 2008 Location:St Louis Area Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:212 Trading Score:4	I would like to see them go Lost style and set and end date for the series and just have 2-3 more seasons of 18-20 episdoes and just end it. It is really suffering and the eps are so up and down from week to week. I do not want it to get cancelled but it feels like they are going nowhere most weeks. It needs an end date and a commitment from NBC to stick with it until that end. Then it needs to let Bryan Fuller be the show runner and pay him enough to stick around and not leave for his other projects.

04-23-2009, 09:43 PM	#5
WyldeMan45 Banned Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Western Washington Blu-ray collection:49 Trading Score:15	I was a hardcore Heroes fan through Season 2 and than I just got very very bored. I removed it from my DVR 2 seasons ago I think. I don't even know what season they are on now, but I will eventually finish the show when it's all wrapped up and everything is on Blu.

04-23-2009, 10:31 PM	#6
PS3-Playb3yond Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Cincinnati, OH Blu-ray collection:19 Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:13	I don't mind as long as the story is OUTSTANDING! Heroes is just not what it used to be.

04-23-2009, 11:03 PM	#8
Clark Kent Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Metropolis Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:184	The show has been plainly awful since the finale of season one. I view this as NBC protecting themselves if the ratings continue to drop any further. It had a lot of potential but the showrunners clearly had no thought out story past the origin stories in season one.

04-24-2009, 01:52 AM	#11
Darkhawk9587 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Wisconsin 4K collection:66 Blu-ray collection:487 Trading Score:30	I think that this is Heroes final chance to deliver. NBC is shortening the show, and if it is not successful this next season, Heroes shall be no more IMO.

04-24-2009, 02:24 AM	#12
cajmoyper Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jun 2007 Location:San Antonio, TX Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:182	You're basically talking about a show that is riding the coattails of it's first and only good season. That tells me that the first season was hugely popular, raised it's own bar and failed. Sad, sad story.

04-24-2009, 03:06 AM	#13
thedarkangel1975 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Pennsylvania 4K collection:34 Blu-ray collection:374 DVD collection:12 Digital collection:357 Blu-ray reviews: 1	I really think people expect Heroes to phenomnal every week. Season One was different, mysytery. That intrigued people. Season two, people knew the mystery and the show was hurt by the writer's strike. Three IMO has been solid. As for Chuck being a more superior and solid show, not by a long shot. Chuck couldn't even hold Coach's jock strap.

04-24-2009, 10:13 AM	#16
P@t_Mtl Blu-ray Duke Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Montreal Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:452 DVD collection:513 Trading Score:3	I can't wait in 2 or 3 years to see the thread "Remember Heroes, Best Show Ever And NBC Sucks for Cancelling It"

04-24-2009, 01:14 PM	#18
Ator the Invincible Power Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Scranton, PA, USA 4K collection:502 Blu-ray collection:6292 DVD collection:2715	This is a good move, IMO. I've always thought that serialized dramas should have shorter seasons, like HBO and Showtime shows. (The exception to this is 24, which needs 24 episodes for obvious reasons.) It just allows for the writers to focus on their finite stories better with less filler episodes to pad out the longer season orders. Terminator, for example, is a show that would have GREATLY benefited from a shorter season. So, this is welcome news to me.

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