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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Thornir Alekeg" data-source="post: 2761331" data-attributes="member: 15651">But what happens when this possible great TV is not profitable TV?  Babylon 5 was written with a five-year story arc in mind pretty much from day 1.  In my opinion the show was great TV, but it wasn't profitable TV and as a result was always fighting cancellation.  They managed to complete the series, but it was very touch and go at the end of each season.So, should writers plan for a one season show, written with a definitive beginning, middle and end?  That is a very risky, very expensive proposition as expenses like set construction can't be defrayed over multiple years.  Do hey write for three season?  Do you then end up in the Firefly dilemma?  If you get cancelled before you can tell the whole story and end up with disappointed or angry fans.  If you manage to make all three, the fans might accept a definite ending, but there will likely be many who will still be upset.And what about the networks?  Should they commit to a three year deal before a show is aired and has proved the fans will come?  Should they accept that they every show is a single season long and every year they will have to find new ideas and capture new audiences?It sucks that many times TV shows last longer than they should, but that is the reality of the economics of TV.  Perhaps if the viewers pledged to watch whatever drek is on a particular network regardless of whether it was good or not, the networks might be willing to take some additional risks (although they would more likely throw an entire lineup of shows like Joe Millionare at you instead to keep costs low and profits high).</blockquote>

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