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I think you've got it the wrong way round, actually. British shows typically run for a 6 episode series and then might go several years before a new series is p

I think you've got it the wrong way round, actually. British shows typically run for a 6 episode series and then might go several years before a new series is produced. The Thick Of It has had 24 episodes since its inception in 2005, whereas its US adaption has already had 28 since 2012. Armando Ianucci (the writer) has straight up stated that he won't write any more The Thick Of It until he feels he has material worthy of new episodes. I think it's the US networks putting pressure on writers to produce produce produce which ends up being the difference between the perfection of The Thick Of It and the greatness of Veep (in my opinion).

pluma 12y ago
What's more, the British seem to have no qualms about simply ending a series when they think there's nothing more to add. Consider Spaced: the cast and the audience loved it, but the story had come to a conclusion after the second series and the circumstances that originally gave birth to the ideas had changed, so they refused to consider another series. Contrast this with American shows which typically only end if they get cancelled and where success is measured in how often you can get a new series funded.
- timje1 12y ago
  There are plenty of American shows that should have been cancelled after a single season, but weren't because they were popular. Stuff like Prison Break, Heroes. In fact Prison Break's season 1 had a very clear, obvious conclusion (they broke out) - so there was no clear path for the story to take after that. In Britain it would not have been picked up for a second series.
r00fus 12y ago
We share the same viewpoint. When I meant long-run I meant in terms of seasons, not in terms of episodes per season (e.g. Dr. Who). The US corporate pressure to produce is definitely the problem. There is little counterbalance in the US, whereas in the UK the BBC allows writers like Ianucci freedom to do what they feel is right.

pluma 12y ago

What's more, the British seem to have no qualms about simply ending a series when they think there's nothing more to add. Consider Spaced: the cast and the audience loved it, but the story had come to a conclusion after the second series and the circumstances that originally gave birth to the ideas had changed, so they refused to consider another series. Contrast this with American shows which typically only end if they get cancelled and where success is measured in how often you can get a new series funded.

timje1 12y ago
There are plenty of American shows that should have been cancelled after a single season, but weren't because they were popular. Stuff like Prison Break, Heroes. In fact Prison Break's season 1 had a very clear, obvious conclusion (they broke out) - so there was no clear path for the story to take after that. In Britain it would not have been picked up for a second series.

r00fus 12y ago

We share the same viewpoint. When I meant long-run I meant in terms of seasons, not in terms of episodes per season (e.g. Dr. Who). The US corporate pressure to produce is definitely the problem. There is little counterbalance in the US, whereas in the UK the BBC allows writers like Ianucci freedom to do what they feel is right.