Quote: john lucas 101 @ August 19 2009, 2:46 PM BSTAnd the other 95 have just felt longer.
My Family - Series 9 Page 8
Quote: Robert D @ August 19 2009, 2:45 PM BSTThing is, out of the 100 episodes they've done, only five of them have been longer than 30 minutes.
Trouble is, sitcom writers are conditioned to write for shorter lengths. When they broaden it out, they have to start treating it more like a short film or play, and a lot of sitcom writers aren't up to it. And often the characters they've created just don't warrant the extra time.
Sounds like this user is informed then. (But I don't buy the idea that a registered person is significantly less likely to make it up.)
Quote: Aaron @ August 19 2009, 2:49 PM BSTSounds like this user is informed then. (But I don't buy the idea that a registered person is significantly less likely to make it up.)
I don't buy it either but that's what it says...
Quote: chipolata @ August 19 2009, 2:48 PM BSTTrouble is, sitcom writers are conditioned to write for shorter lengths. When they broaden it out, they have to start treating it more like a short film or play, and a lot of sitcom writers aren't up to it.
To a degree, yes. But, if anything, the continuing problem is always trying to keep time down, rather than letting a story breathe as much as you'd like. I don't think most sitcom writers have trouble sustaining 40-50 minutes, as that's often just using scenes or ideas one has to sacrifice to hit the half-hour mark. I agree for a 1 hour to 90 minute mark things are different, but that's usually having to write a successful comedy screenplay. (Screenplays are a different problem completely, but particularly for a comedy, which rarely is able to sustain more than an hour.)
Anyway, as regards My Family, if they are doing a 75 minute episode then presumably they'll be spending a lot more time out of the studio.
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 19 2009, 2:13 PM BSTMy worry is that they might not be able to sustain their usual level of hilarity for 75 minutes...
I dare say if they have got Kris Marshall back on board, they'll manage. 
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 19 2009, 2:56 PM BSTAnyway, as regards My Family, if they are doing a 75 minute episode then presumably they'll be spending a lot more time out of the studio.
Ah, but they've never taken it out of the studio, ever. And after 100 episodes of no locational footage, I doubt they'll change now. 
Quote: Robert D @ August 19 2009, 2:59 PM BSTAh, but they've never taken it out of the studio, ever.
They'll never sustain a 75 minute episode with it all in the studio. Fact.
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 19 2009, 3:03 PM BSTThey'll never sustain a 75 minute episode with it all in the studio. Fact.
They've done 60 minutes. It's only another 15 after all and with Nick back thus having the additional character...
Have you seen Kris Marshall recently, Rob? He's aged about 30 years in less than 10! Robert Lindsay looks in better nick than him. Kris is a comedy genius though, as evidence by My Life In Film and those BT ads.
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 19 2009, 3:07 PM BSTMy Life In Film
Talk about high concept!
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 19 2009, 3:07 PM BSTHave you seen Kris Marshall recently, Rob? He's aged about 30 years in less than 10! Robert Lindsay looks in better nick than him. Kris is a comedy genius though, as evidence by My Life In Film and those BT ads.
Yeah but... well, we'll just have to wait and see. Personally I don't 100% trust Wikipedia and thus believe no Nick, no 75 minutes and no Alfie leaving.
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 19 2009, 3:07 PM BSTBT ads.
Talk about high concept!
Actually, I take the 'no alfie leaving' bit back. It's pretty much confirmed when you look at the evidence.
*Removed from the titles
*No mention on the recording website
*He's not very good and people have wanted gone for ages. (Although I don't think he's that bad).
I agree, Rob. All good points.
Which one's Alfie again?