Is SNW too much of an ensemble show?

[Mudd]

I'll stop masking up, and swabbing myself once a week, and buying N95s by the 25-pack, when we get to Washington's Birthday without a significant outbreak.

Which still does not mean the world around you is continuing to function as if we are in "mid-pandemic." There's not a reason on Earth that the number of episodes a TV series produces annually would be limited by that concern, which is what this exchange has been about.

 

[ichab]

I don't agree. Most US Network TV shows still clock in at 22 episodes on average and the cast and crew of those shows are just fine. Imagine if these folks did this in the 50's when 36 episodes was common and the show were lead driven. In fact, with larger ensembles, long seasons are easier on the cast since you can split them up. (much like SNW does already) The days of actors like David Janssen carrying the load in 30 episodes per season to the point of exhaustion are over.

Yep. Frankly, I don't remember many actors complaining about having to film 20 episodes as that was steady work in an industry where having steady work is rare.

It's probably more about budget and streaming platform standards. Shows like SNW and DISCO look like features (and a lot of the Disney + shows). I imagine the money wouldn't go nearly as far spread over 22 episodes. I also would imagine a shorter season makes it easier for the cast to pursue other opportunities, but they could certainly handle a 22 episode season with no sweat.

Agreed. It's ALL because of the budget. If the costs for making these shows was the same as it was twenty years ago, we'd still be seeing 20 plus episode seasons.

 

[ichab]

One of the main reasons why that joke on Futurama about TOS being "79 episodes, about 30 good ones" is so funny is because it's so true.

And I don't find Futurama itself funny so.....we're just going to have to agree to disagree.

 

[Unique]

I'll stop masking up, and swabbing myself once a week, and buying N95s by the 25-pack, when we get to Washington's Birthday without a significant outbreak.

<squints>
I do believe you’re serious.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

<squints>
I do believe you’re serious.

Quite. Taking COVID seriously is why I'm able to say,

I'm still COVID-negative. And in breaking news, Generalissimo Francisco Franco is continuing his valiant struggle to remain dead.

At any rate, while it has not yet been reduced from "existential threat" to "minor nuisance," it has become a manageable existential threat, and "Serveaux" is quite right about the fact that so long as nobody takes unnecessary risks (and let's face it, taking unnecessary risks is what gets people killed on sets, whether it's with pathogens, vehicles, heights, water, swords, high voltages, or firearms), no reason not to produce episodes at something close to the rate at which they've been produced pre-COVID.

 

[Unique]

Quite. Taking COVID seriously is why I'm able to say,

At any rate, while it has not yet been reduced from "existential threat" to "minor nuisance," it has become a manageable existential threat, and "Serveaux" is quite right about the fact that so long as nobody takes unnecessary risks (and let's face it, taking unnecessary risks is what gets people killed on sets, whether it's with pathogens, vehicles, heights, water, swords, high voltages, or firearms), no reason not to produce episodes at something close to the rate at which they've been produced pre-COVID.

You must be a load of fun at parties.

 

[fireproof78]

I don't mind the lower episode count, though not for COVID reasons. I caught it before they knew what it was and have been fine ever since.

I practice the same cautious things I've done that I was taught since I was 5: stay home when sick, wash my hands, don't touch my mouth or face, cover my sneezes and wash my hands after every potential exposure.

 

[Unique]

I don't mind the lower episode count, though not for COVID reasons. I caught it before they knew what it was and have been fine ever since.

I practice the same cautious things I've done that I was taught since I was 5: stay home when sick, wash my hands, don't touch my mouth or face, cover my sneezes and wash my hands after every potential exposure.

I caught it in mid-2020 and all I got was a neck/headache, and then I lost my sense of smell and taste two days later, which was what clued me in that the headache was viral. I didn’t get smell/taste back for nearly 4 weeks; it was kinda freaky, especially since I had no sinus symptoms at any point. I haven’t had a recurrence, either. Vitamin C, D, and zinc provide strong protection against most of this stuff; the moment I realized what was going on I gave it to the husband and kids and they got through with just a mild headache for one day as their only symptom.

 

[Mudd]

I have managed not to get it, so far, despite my wife having had it twice since 2021. She has it now.

I see no point in us trying to "isolate" from one another. It's silly - I'm pretty damned sure exposed before she shows symptoms.

 

[Unique]

I have managed not to get it, so far, despite my wife having had it twice since 2021. She has it now.

I see no point in us trying to "isolate" from one another. It's silly - I'm pretty damned sure exposed before she shows symptoms.

You probably have immunity from prior coronavirus exposure; a certain percentage of people do. Or your Vitamin D levels are so high you’re Teflon to viruses.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

You must be a load of fun at parties.

If they catch the SNL reference ("And in breaking news, Generalissimo . . . ," they get a laugh.

Meanwhile, I'm regularly attending concerts, attending live theatre, attending church services, riding public transportation, and taking vacations that involve all of the above. And docenting at a museum, every Saturday.

Isolation, at this point, without any evidence of infection, is indeed silly. Doing your best to reduce the virus-load your immune system has to deal with, and to avoid becoming a vector, not so silly.

Oh, and I've got one other thing going for me: based on my strong and escalating COVID vaccine reactions, and the fact that I can't remember the last time the flu made me sicker than the one flu-shot I got, I'm guessing I probably have a very robust immune system. Maybe not as robust as those of certain individuals at the Darwin Genetic Research Station, but still very robust.

 

[Unique]

One acquires a robust immune system through regular exposure to a variety of germs, alongside a good diet, sunshine, and exercise.
Good luck with those vaccine reactions.

My answer to the topic of this thread: No. We should get more Pike but we need more Una and Ortega to flesh the bridge crew out, and if this is all they’re going to do with Pelia…it’s just a waste.

 

[Oddish]

We should get more Pike but we need more Una and Ortega to flesh the bridge crew out, and if this is all they’re going to do with Pelia…it’s just a waste.

I think she's only just begun...

 

[fireproof78]

I'm hesitant to declare anything a waste if the season isn't over.