Summary

In the 2020s , shortened tv set season have become mainstream , though some older shows make a type for why 20 + episode worked as a format . Shortened seasons have several vantage , and it makes perfect sense why 8 - 13 sequence are the norm for cyclosis handout . abbreviate season leave for a more concise narration , lacking much of the filler that would fare from prolonged release . Not to mention , with pic star actors taking on TV work , unretentive seasons allow them to commit to a labor without filming taking their whole class .

Classic web boob tube with 20 + episodes per season is grueling for any actor and work party , as they could take between 8 and 10 months of the year to fool . Still , some of thebest boob tube shows of all timehad that many episodes , and though they often had lulls with filler episodes and occasional duds , the extended formatting allowed viewer to charter with grapheme for longer and train meaningful connections with them . Shows likeSupernaturalandGilmore Girlshave some of the most beloved goggle box characters ever , which all justifies the 20 + instalment format .

10Lost (2004-2010)

The first three seasons of Lost all had over 23 episodes and are some of the most well-written TV seasons ever.

Cast

In damage of a serialized drama that was release on connection television , ABC’sLostis hard to top . While not every season had 20 + instalment , the best of them did , and the lengthy formatting appropriate for some of the most well - developed ensembles of graphic symbol in TV history . The flashback data formatting allow nearly every character their fair share of time , and the series wield to wheel in fascinating newfangled character to preclude things from becoming dry .

Not everyLostepisode is fantastic . There were plenty that felt like makeweight or that were stilted by dense flashback sequences . Yet , the instalment that miss pivotal plot onward motion make up with satisfy interpersonal moments , such as characters hold the activeness to play ping pong or golf . Lostrevolutionized television , and while the closing curtain was see as divisive , its achiever proves that masterful television can be written in a long - season format .

9Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)

Extended seasons of Gilmore Girls allowed viewers to connect meaningfully with Lorelai and Rory Gilmore.

One of the many incredibleTV shows that were perpetually omit at the Emmys , Gilmore Girlswas an fantabulous fibre - tug play with a beautiful mother / daughter family relationship at its burden . With seven farseeing seasons , audience were genuinely welcomed into the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore . Like many show with the extended format , the earlierGilmore Girlsseasons were the good , with the series finally miss its articulation from plump on too long . Still , time of year 7 had one of the top - rated episodes with the finale .

8Supernatural (2005-2020)

Sam and Dean Winchester became two of TV’s most beloved heroes.

Sam and Dean Winchester are one ofthe with child TV duos ever , as their relationship is examined through 15 long seasons and over 300 episodes . Supernaturalis a endurance contest to watch , and though it has some lulls , even thrown-away " scoundrel of the week " episode are take with lineament - building moments that found the two brothers as some of the most likeable , endear video protagonists ever . The installment counting may feel daunting for a newcomer , but for those who connect with the characters , 15 drawn-out seasons is a joy to engorge .

7Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Overarching narratives and worthwhile standalone episodes compose Buffy’s long seasons.

Another series with several seasons and a plethora of episodes to get through , Buffy the Vampire Slayermakes first-class consumption of its time . Episodes like " The Body " bear out for being terrific standalone stories , but the universal appeal is the long - term character ontogenesis , as the marathon series is fantastic at encounter off consultation emotion . Despite being over twenty years old , Buffystill resonates with unexampled audiences , with deeply relatable characters in a fantastical setting .

6Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

The NBC series used its episode count to create authentic, relatable characters.

Another dramatic play show with phenomenal penning and case developing that piss the most of its 20 + episode time of year isFriday Night Lights . In fairness , only the first season has over 20 episodes , but it ’s the clear standout of the series . Friday Night Lightsseason 1 perfectly establishes the ensemble , and the unquestionable , true - to - life sentence authorship style allows audience to engage with the Dillon Panthers , even if they do n’t give care about football . Not only isFriday Night Lightsone of thebest football television shows , it ’s one of the most candid shows about pocket-sized - township life and family .

5The O.C. (2003-2007)

The 2000s teen drama offered something for everyone in its 20+ episode seasons.

One of the primaryreasonsThe O.C.still hold updecades later is the ensemble cast ’s focus on grownup character , as well as the central teen . Aside from being a culturally fix TV serial publication for youthful adult in the 2000s , The O.C.also entertained older audiences with relatable adult characters who occupied a meaning dowry of the screen time . Longer seasons allow for more of the ensemble cast to glint , andThe O.C.used that sentence more in effect than other shows of the same stripling drama ilk .

424 (2001-2010)

The action thriller used its 24-episode format uniquely.

Possibly the most justifiable use of the 24 - episode data format is the series24 , which used the season ’s length for a shortly crafted , unique tale . Each episode of24consisted of one hour of the characters ' lives , with the first time of year exhibit one full day of action mechanism - pack espionage thrills . While24hasn’t maturate well in many ways , its pacing and use of its extended season data formatting are still exemplary television written material .

3The X-Files (1993-2018)

The original X-Files seasons were monumental television.

The X - Filesis one of the most iconic telly shows ever , prove by its opening composition being placeable even to those who have n’t seen the show . The central character moral force between Agents Mulder and Scully helped set up the series and the hearing ’s position on the outlandish conspiracy subject material . The X - Filesis one of the most riveting television system ride , and the retentive seasons permit for an efficacious irksome sunburn in the constantly developing relationship between the principal case and the thrive mythology of the show ’s macrocosm .

2Seinfeld (1989-1998)

Seinfeld rarely wastes an episode, with masterful comedy throughout.

Another serial that was absolutely massive to the 1990s wasSeinfeld . While the same can be enounce for many sitcom show , Seinfelduses its prolonged time of year to unprecedented comedic excellency . The first two seasons are bowdlerize , and the show really picks up withthe bestSeinfeldseasonsafter tacking on more instalment . Season 4 , in particular , uses its longer formatting for a hilarious overarching meta patch . Seinfeldis one of the greatest sitcoms ever , and it ’s difficult to imagine it with crop - down seasons .

1The Simpsons (1989-)

Early Simpsons seasons made classics out of nearly every episode.

WhileThe Simpsonsis long take out out in 2024 , the serial ' early seasons arrest some of the most iconic boob tube humor ever . In its golden old age in the 1990s , almost every episode of the hit grownup animated serial publication is a classic , offer up emotional reliability , laughter - out - loud humor , or run gag that have put up the test of sentence in American pappa culture . The Simpsonsis a truly massive television show , and the long - time of year format was essential to its brass as a ethnical watershed , allowing audiences to appreciate the Simpson family nigh all twelvemonth round .

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