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JenovaProphet t1_j0z3h6y wrote

Not gonna lie, really wish streaming services didn't have such short seasons and short runs in general. I didn't mind the "filler episodes" back in the day as I found they often added fun nuance and background to characters you often don't have time to show in new shows.

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LiveFromNewYork95 t1_j0z7sh0 wrote

I think sitcoms need filler episodes, creating the dynamics is so important to comedy and you just don't do that in 8 episodes. Even a show like Reboot which I think is one of the better sitcoms to come out of streaming had a season one finale that (IMO) didn't fully land because it needed at least 4 or 5 more episodes to build the relationships that the finale relies on.

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JenovaProphet t1_j0z7vtx wrote

100% agree. Reboot is the perfect example of this. GREAT SHOW! Laughed the whole way. But I was genuinely confused at the season finale. I was like "this is it?"

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tinacat933 t1_j0zac6s wrote

Yes it was like …ok guess we are done nowadays

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bros402 t1_j11f57k wrote

Yeah, Reboot needed 12-16 episodes imo

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Pool_Shark t1_j11iqdz wrote

The 20+ season format was built around sitcoms originally and they really need it for the most part. Sitcoms don’t need to have a strong narrative we just need a cast of characters that we want to be around and find funny.

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Radix2309 t1_j12p0yn wrote

It absolutely needed at least 12 episodes.

I don't even get why it was so short. It's not like it's a special effect heavy show.

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Lil_Mcgee t1_j142ve5 wrote

I'd argue there's no such thing as filler when it comes to sitcoms really, most have little in the way of a narrative throughline and are kind of built on the idea of placing the characters in new and amusing situations each episode. A situational comedy if you will.

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LiveFromNewYork95 t1_j146nns wrote

I think you're right, it's filler by today's standard but really it's just what the medium is supposed to be

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mg_ridgeview t1_j0zbiy1 wrote

People like to crap on filler eps, but they never really bothered me that much. Some were better than others, but the good ones could be great. It allows a story to take its time, world build, explore other aspects of characters or the setting. You just don't want it to drag for too long.

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SirButtrubber t1_j0zheaz wrote

as long as the filler isn't in the form of a clip show... i can maaaybe give it a pass.

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JenovaProphet t1_j11qv2b wrote

Oh god, retrospective/clip episodes are literally the worst...

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ingloriousbaxter3 t1_j10shz9 wrote

As long as the filler episode have good character moments I’m fine with them

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Radix2309 t1_j12oyne wrote

They also added pacing that made the impactful events feel bigger. It gives time to decompress and process what happened and then build up to what came next.

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trumpet_23 t1_j1185bl wrote

It all depends on the show and the story that show is telling. One single story? Short seasons are gonna be best. Season-long stories (a la Buffy) or episodic shows (most sitcoms)? Please pump those episode numbers up! I want character examination!

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hotsizzler t1_j10tcte wrote

I think the lack of long seasons hurts so many shows. Rick and morty would be better if it was allowed to breath just a little.

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