David Ducovny Thinks Broadcast TV Needs Shorter Seasons

Here's why his recent comments are absolutely necessary in order for network television's survival.

Story by Matt Cummings

Network television - specifically CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, and The CW - are in a sort of renaissance. Fueled by some of the best programming we've seen since the "Must See" era of 1994-1995, shows are grittier and more realistic than ever before. Yet, some would claim the opposite, that the current formula for television is outdated and could lead to its death unless big changes are made. With pay television opting for shorter seasons (that is, between 10-13 episodes) with shows like the Amazon Original Bosch, broadcast television has been slow to catch up. Recent trends - such as the short run for Marvel's Agent Carter - suggest that someone is listening. But, has there been enough to change the entire industry?

That subject has been on our minds lately, as we've discussed it several times on our podcast Inside the Bucket. But now, recent comments by none other David Duchovny lend credence to the belief that television must do something large-scale and soon, before audiences leave potentially put them out of business.

It all started when Duchovny spoke to Variety at NBC’s Summer Press Day. There, he stated that he would have been unable to commit to The X-Files six-episode run if Creator Chris Carter had wanted a traditional 22-episode run. But it was Duchovny's additional comments about shorter seasons could keep network TV alive that got our attention.

“Television started to change in that now there are limited runs. I think it’s the way the networks have to survive in the future. I think you can attract the talent you want by having a shorter season and you can tell more interesting stories… I would never have gone and done another 22 episodes of ‘X-Files,’ but we’re going to do six — well, that’s like doing a movie. That’s like continuing the show in a way that we all can do at this point in our lives so that’s it all came about.”

For us, the suggestion makes absolute sense, some of the reasons we present below:

Actors Love It
For someone like Duchovny - or really anyone for that matter - the short-run series make total sense. Rather than try to get top-shelf actors to commit to the grind of a 22-episode season (which takes 9 months to complete), the shorter runs offer more opportunity for someone between a film or other project to commit. Could Netflix have gotten Kevin Spacey for House of Cards with a traditional requirement? How about HBO and Matthew McConnaughey in True Detective? The same could be said for CBS's Extant and Actress Halle Berry - her attendance was based entirely on CBS' promise to keep the Science-Fiction drama at 13 episodes. In Spacey's case, House of Cards has benefited tremendously, taking home a slew of Emmys, mostly because of his attendance.

The quality of seasons vastly improves

For decades, audiences have enjoyed the current 22-episode runs without asking whether they were getting the best season possible. Mired in needless side stories, network television audiences have become more aware of the problem, and shows have suffered for it. Watch anything that involves a dedicated story arc - like SJF favorites The Flash, Arrow, Person of Interest, or The Blacklist - and you'll see exactly what we're talking about. Slogging around for 22 episodes hurts the quality of those and many others, forcing writers to extend plots far beyond their lifespan. Shorter seasons would solve that problem, only delivering the best possible stories, and keeping fans around for its entirety. We also think shorter seasons help struggling shows, because it forces their writers to get to the point with their characters and situations. And in our fast-paced world, who has time for 22-epiode arcs anymore?

Is a sea change coming?
Will shows like The X-Files limited run pave the way for shorter seasons? Apparently, some people are listening: several shows like Fox's The Following and 24: Live Another Day have already benefited from their 15- and 12-episode runs respectively. The bold chances those series took can certainly be traced to shorter runs; but with fewer episodes comes more shows, and some have correctly countered that some never deserved to see the light of day. Would that result in audiences seeing a diluted pool, with shows being forced onto network television that had no business being there in the first place?

If the trend is to shorter seasons, we hope the quality of programming doesn't decline. But does the industry need to make a wholesale swap, cutting all shows to 10-13, in order for it to survive? We've already entered the trial period, but whether it becomes practice or remains an interesting idea limited by old-school network execs, the one player in this game - the audience - will ultimately dictate what happens. What do you think: is it time for a change, or are you happy with the current format?

The X-Files short series should premiere on Fox in 2016.

Source: Variety

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