Hello and welcome to SpoilerTV's Weekly Round Table! Joining us this week is Anjali (AS), Lucas (LO), Cristina (CA), Mariasol (SO), Julia (KK), and Eve (EV). You just have to sit back enjoy the read and join the discussion in the comment section down below.
There’s been a lot of chatter about how TV has changed over the past decade. Many shows now take two or more years to release a new season. Do you believe the amount of time it takes reflects on quality? Do you find the wait worth it for what it delivers?
AS: Making a TV show is no easy feat when you consider all of the steps that entail creating one; whether it’s writing the scripts, casting the characters, scouting locations, filming everything for months on end, ADR, editing, special and visual effects, post-production, soundtracks—these are also just some of the pieces to the entire puzzle! It definitely is a massive undertaking for any show, more so if it’d be a fantasy one perhaps over a comedy maybe, each genre and each show within that are all different from each other - is it a long, painstaking wait? Yes. Especially if there’s a cliffhanger at the end of the previous season? Yes. But, if there’s one thing I have found, it’s that shows which take about two years put in the hard work with the blood, sweat and tears of not just the cast members but the crew and directors and producers, in the end it usually is worth the wait to see how it turned out. House of the Dragon, Bridgerton and The Last of Us are some of the shows that immediately spring to mind which take a long time to release. And each season has always done its best to go bigger, better and brilliant!!!
The alternative seems to suggest that a more rushed production schedule would result in things either being left on the cutting floor or a show that might not be up to par; but of course network tv does manage to do it over the course of a year with long episode seasons and those are still pretty amazing when it releases, so it really depends on the particular show perhaps?
CA: In many cases, the wait does reflect in the quality. Series that take their time tend to deliver more carefully crafted narratives and visually impressive episodes. Game of Thrones (before its final season) is a prime example of how extensive production schedules can result in rich world-building and high-quality execution. However, there are downsides. Prolonged gaps between seasons can lead to audience frustration, and sometimes even cause viewers to lose interest or forget crucial plot details.
Ultimately, whether the wait is "worth it" depends on the execution. If the quality improves significantly and enhances the viewing experience, many fans consider the wait justified, as seen with Succession or The Crown. However, when delays result in underwhelming content (like the widely criticized final season of Game of Thrones), the extended wait can feel more like a detriment. While time can enhance quality, the real question is whether the storytelling and production ultimately justify the delay. Fans are generally willing to wait, but only if the payoff is substantial.
SO: I don't think that taking too much time between seasons negatively affects the quality of the series, I think it’s actually beneficial, since there is enough time for writers and producers to take into account things that might not have worked very well in previous seasons and make adjustments that could help improve the stories.
Personally, I don't have a problem with waiting a long time for the premiere of a new season, since I have so many series in my watchlist, so it gives me the chance to focus on other shows. What does happen to me, and I think I'm not the only one, is that I tend to forget some details, situations and even characters from previous seasons, when I have to wait that much for, so I find it very useful when a recap of previous episodes is included at the beginning of the new season, cause that way it’s easier to pick up where we left off in the story, although we also have the possibility to watch the whole thing again, before the new episodes drop.
KK: It seems that many viewers may not fully realize the immense effort and intricate coordination required to produce just one single episode of television. From the writers and directors to the cast, crew, and countless others behind the scenes, the process is a massive undertaking that demands time and precision. While I would love for a brilliant show like Hacks to deliver 16 episodes per season, I simply cannot see how that could be achieved without overworking the cast and crew and compromising the high quality we've come to expect. However, when a show has only 8 episodes per season, a two-year wait for new content can feel somewhat frustrating for fans. In such cases, I’d prefer to see four episodes released each year to keep the audience engaged and the momentum going.
Currently there are very few network shows with 16-22 episodes per season that truly hit the mark for me, which reinforces my belief that shorter seasons are well worth it. With fewer episodes, more time and attention can be devoted to every individual episode, often leading to better storytelling and overall quality.
EV: Personally I hate long waits between seasons. Even though I understand the circumstances I don't prefer a 2 year wait between season 1 and 2.
In this time of so many good TV shows I tend to lose interest quickly. Which I guess is a 'me' problem. However if you want to keep your audience don't let them wait 2 years to find out what happens next.
A show like Slow Horses bangs out a season every year or sometimes even less than a year. If they can do it and produce high quality, Emmy worthy, episodes why can't others?
The people yearn for the resurgence of 22 episode seasons—but network TV is still hanging on! What are your favourite network shows that deliver 16-22 episodes consistently (once a year)?
AS: Most of my current shows that I watch which are still airing on network TV are ABC shows—9-1-1 with its 18 episodes, The Rookie which is held for midseason but does 22 mostly and some others are less than 16 but still favorites nonetheless! Will Trent, The Cleaning Lady, The Irrational, Tracker, and Elsbeth to name a few!
LO: 9-1-1 is that show for me, and it’s been that way since the beginning of 2021 when I first binge-watched it! And while I’ve been away from other network TV shows for some years, this fall season is inspiring me to try a bunch of new stuff such as Matlock, High Potential, and Murder in a Small Town—they all seem interesting in their ways, especially considering the involvement of actresses I admire so much such as Kaitlin Olson, Kathy Bates, and Kristin Kreuk.
CA: When it comes to delivering those classic, full-season orders of 16 to 22 episodes, The Rookie is by far one of my favourite network shows. It’s a rare breed these days, especially in an era where many shows drop shorter, more concentrated seasons. The Rookie not only gives fans the satisfaction of a longer season but also manages to maintain a high level of quality and character development across its episodes.
Shows like Law and Order and Chicago Fire also continue to release 20+ episodes consistently, proving that network TV can still offer the volume of content viewers crave in a binge-watching era. For fans who miss the days of longer seasons, these series are delivering year after year.
SO: I'm not currently watching any long-season series, but I think this is definitely the quintessential format for procedurals because this is how they have managed to keep their audiences over the years and develop equally successful spin-offs, by creating solid stories with enough time for character development. Some good examples are Law & Order, FBIs, Chicagos, etc.
EV: I must say I don't watch any 22 episode long TV shows, apart from reality TV which tends to go further than 10 episodes. My ideal would be a 10 episode season, not too many or no filler episodes and just dealing with the story without too many distractions. If you haven't noticed yet from my answer to question 1, my attention span is short ;)
ZF: I truly miss the height of 22 episode seasons! Earlier this year, I started going back and watching a ton of procedural-type shows and found myself obsessed with The Rookie and Found. 9-1-1 is another very fun one! Unfortunately, these days, network feels like just as much as a risk as streaming—with everyone moving onto the latter, network numbers are dwindling, making renewals more difficult. The shows you have to stick to are the ones that do well on network AND streaming, but it has the schedule and the vibes of a fun network romp!
In the past week, what notable TV moment has happened? Any new releases to recommend? A scene that blew you away? Anything you’re looking forward to next week?
AS: One word - Bee-nado on 9-1-1’s S8 premiere! And after the cliffhanger scene, based on what the promo shows for episode 2 and the movie it’s supposed to be inspired by, I cannot wait to see how 9-1-1 plays out this season!! No spoilers but I'm definitely looking forward to that; as for a new release, I haven't caught it yet myself but Nobody Wants This is on my watchlist to see, and I just started High Potential and Murder in a Small Town too and both seem promising in their own ways!
LO: This past week delivered some great moments on TV, starting with Only Murders in the Building newest episode (4.05). There’s something so different in the way things are happening this season; it’s becoming so difficult to see what’s coming next, and yet things remain so fun. This fifth episode ended with a big cliffhanger—if you know, you know—and I can’t wait to find out WHAT IS GOING ON this week. Also, a big bad who was part of many WandaVision theories was finally mentioned in Agatha All Along, and this surprised me a little. Finally, the new 9-1-1 disaster involving bees had Eddie, one of the firefighters, running from a swarm to save a young lady, and that was the funniest scene. Also looking forward to 9-1-1 next week: Athena’s life is once more in danger, and I can’t wait to discover how she will escape that.
CA: 9-1-1 absolutely blew me away this week with the chaotic bee attack on Los Angeles. From the very first scene—a dramatic mid-air collision between two flying vehicles caused by the swarm—you could tell it was going to be intense. The episode then rewinds to show how everything unfolded, while weaving in Athena’s return to work after all the trauma she’s been through. It was easily one of the best premieres I’ve seen this season.
In contrast, new shows haven’t exactly wowed me. Doctor Odyssey was a big-budget disappointment in my opinion, not living up to the hype. But I’m really looking forward to the premiere of Found. Having already caught an early look, I can assure viewers it’s going to be an exciting, compelling hour of TV. This one’s definitely worth watching!
SO: I'm definitely looking forward to this week's season finale of The Rings of Power after all the comments it continues to stir up week after week, both positive and negative. I'm also curious to see The Penguin and Nobody Wants This, which though they premiered a few days ago, I haven't had a chance to watch yet.
EV: 2 nice little comfort comedy shows that surprised me in the last weeks are The English Teacher and High Potential. These shows just hit the right spot for a half hour of fun entertainment, quick paced, witty and refreshing.
That wraps up another round table! Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments below. See you next week!
You can email zoe@spoilertv.com if you have any question suggestions.
