It's difficult for a TV show to get on the air, let only stay there for any length of time. But it's even more difficult, once it's established itself, for a program to keep the quality high and consistent. TV shows have three major things to contend with:
1) The cowardliness of network TV programmers, who've been given a wakeup call in the last few years by HBO's success with edgier fare.
2) The many hours that need to be filled. By the end of its fifth season, a program may have accumulated more than 100 episodes — for a one hour show, minus commercials, that's about 75 hours worth of material.
3) The tightrope that all ongoing shows must walk: offering enough changes to keep the audience interested without making changes so drastic that regular viewers panic and flee.
It's no wonder that no matter how good or successful a show is, it'll inevitably go downhill if kept on the air too long. Think about how many young, virile shows became impotent and arthritic, yet still insisted on wearing ascots and trying out corny pickup lines on young women.
This entire phenomenon has been given a name: when a show "jumps the shark", it means it's begun its inevitable slide into painful mediocrity (or downright crap). But jumping the shark usually denotes a specific moment when everything takes a turn for the worse. Some shows, however, turn bad more slowly, without a defining moment to signify the decline.
One the most extreme cases of a slow decline was All in the Family. After seven years on the air, two of its main characters, Mike and Gloria, left. After three more years, Edith was killed off. Archie was the only one of the original four characters still hanging on for the final three years. They even changed the name of the show to Archie Bunker's Place to reflect this sad state of affairs. For a perfect analogy, imagine Seinfeld carrying on for an extra three years without George, Kramer, and Elaine.
Article comments
1 - D Gismondi
What about Anthony Jr. ? Time and again we see him in this "mad at the world" attitude. I mean he has no happy side to him whatsoever, and what he does show is a very bland non- expressive personality. Coming from so much drama, how can that be ? Also, he has no "place", and is just "there" like a bump on a log. Damn do something with his character, ANYTHING !
(please keep in mind that I have not seen any episodes of the 5th season, so some of what I say may not be a valid arguement.)
2 - Lono
I think it is the best TV show (long form) ever! It's only comparison is Seinfeld, which is also the best TV show ever. Both will impact all of television for years to come. Can't wait for the next season, but like a Boston album... they only film every few years. Sadly, this year is said to be the last. Of course, Friends said that for about 6 seasons as a negotiating trick.
3 - dave
I think the Sopranos is in decline, ever since the three stunning episodes around the time ralphie was knocked off. They have run out of ideas when it comes to the original cast. The Steve Buscemi gamble didn't pay off. They shouldn't have marginalised Uncle Junior making him senile as he was an insightful, funny character. Realistically could a kid like Anthony Junior get that girl he's going around with ? Also there was a tacky moment when Tony Soprano told Johnny Sack that he wasn't going to sacrifice his cousin. The ending was cool though when Tony was running from the Feds. Lets hope series six is the best yet, although series one will always be the complete masterpiece.