Welcome to Elwood City Central Forum! If you haven't already, we encourage you to sign up and join in the fun of discussing the Arthur franchise!




Author Topic: Long Running Series  (Read 575 times)

Earwig

  • New Kid at Lakewood
  • *
  • Posts: 73
    • View Profile
Long Running Series
« on: February 11, 2013, 08:31:40 pm »
I want to propose a new topic because there are often comments about Arthur being a very long running series. I don't mean to downgrade Arthur in any way but there are a lot of shows that have gone beyond the number of shows that Arthur has. I am the number one fan and hopes that Arthur will continue forever, but to be fair to all these other shows I want to start this discussion off with this list of other long running shows.  My question is ,"Can Arthur last as long as any of these other shows and is there enoughdepth or subject matter in the series to make it?" Ok not the best question but surely  the list of long running shows must provide some comparitive points for comparing our mild mannered aardvark.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


Crossover Dreamer

  • In Mr. Ratburn's class
  • **
  • Posts: 119
  • Location: United States
    • View Profile
Re: Long Running Series
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2013, 09:46:41 pm »
I have a few reasons why I want Arthur to end soon.

One: I was looking forward to the series finale. I have I feeling I know what would happen in the series finale. It seems as predictable as the Bionic Bunny 10th anniversary special was for D.W. in "Happy Anniversary."

Two: The writers tend to reuse plots. I think I first noticed them doing that a lot during season 10. Not only do they reuse plots, but they even reuse plots with the same character. Example: "Hic or Treat," "The World Record," "Arthur vs. the Piano."

Three: Every season has had at least one episode I was uncomfortable watching because it was too scary. And ever since season 7 I got more and more disappointed with the series because the series' scary episodes were getting scarier. The writers relied less on the D.W./Brain parallels and more on dream sequences and other elements I was bored or annoyed with.

I'm trying to figure out what TV series I like has the most seasons.

"Where's my Prince Charming?!"

Earwig

  • New Kid at Lakewood
  • *
  • Posts: 73
    • View Profile
Re: Long Running Series
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2013, 10:10:01 pm »
all good points. Keep the point of episodes rather than series when you pick your prefered series though. Sazae San was a show I watched in Japan with or without my daughter and I thought it was brilliant. The Japanese all thought I was crazy because it had been on too long. At the time and maybe even now it it was the longest running show. I can't disagree with much you had to say although I like the scary shows but I concede that point.

MCCJ

  • Guest
Re: Long Running Series
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2013, 12:24:42 am »
The Simpsons is currently the longest American animated show with 520 episodes. The second longest is yours truly, Arthur. As for whether Arthur can outlast longer shows it depends on what keeps it going. Like Arthur should try new things. Things that have never been done before that can attract children as well as families in general. The Simpsons manage to keep going, but recently has had some close calls. It has been renewed for two seasons. How long that will last is a mystery at this time and depends on the production team of that show. They have to like do something that can really impress fans and at the same time can keep the show around longer. That's what Arthur needs to do.

Snowth Woogle

  • Aquaintance of Arthur
  • ***
  • Posts: 419
  • Location: The Sugar Bowl
    • View Profile
    • The Joseph Scarbrough Universe
Re: Long Running Series
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2013, 04:50:10 pm »
Earwig, forgive me if I come across as nosey, but I am curious: when I downloaded the document you provided, I couldn't help but notice the file properties, so I simply must ask... are you THE Greg Bailey?

But, to continue on with the discussion, as much as Arthur has entertained me since I was a kid, and as much as I have enjoyed the series, I really do think it's passed time that it be laid to rest; like previously mentioned, you KNOW a series has been on for TOO long when they start repeating plots and stories (Bewitched became a really big offender of this in its final two or three seasons). I've also said before too, while we have had a number of genuinely good stories, there's been an awful lot that just come off as kind of tired, and short on ideas in general. It's like the old saying goes, somethings there can be too much of a good thing; The Simpsons is always compared to Arthur, and I know tons of people have actually been wanting to see that show come to an end for sometime now as well. Similarly, Seth MacFarlane is actually desperately wanting to end Family Guy, but FOX won't let him (lesson learned there: always retain the rights to your own work), and it seems like a number of people have been complaining that FG isn't good anymore either... it's always kind of a good idea to conclude a series while it's still popular with viewers (The Muppet Show or M*A*S*H, for example) so that it can go out on a high note, as opposed to going on to the point where people are so sick of it that when it does finally conclude, it does so with very little fanfare.
I stretch like a snake, and I shimmy and shake, and I bounce like a ball, and I say something cute when you give me a squeeze!

MCCJ

  • Guest
Re: Long Running Series
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2013, 07:13:20 pm »
Earwig, forgive me if I come across as nosey, but I am curious: when I downloaded the document you provided, I couldn't help but notice the file properties, so I simply must ask... are you THE Greg Bailey?

But, to continue on with the discussion, as much as Arthur has entertained me since I was a kid, and as much as I have enjoyed the series, I really do think it's passed time that it be laid to rest; like previously mentioned, you KNOW a series has been on for TOO long when they start repeating plots and stories (Bewitched became a really big offender of this in its final two or three seasons). I've also said before too, while we have had a number of genuinely good stories, there's been an awful lot that just come off as kind of tired, and short on ideas in general. It's like the old saying goes, somethings there can be too much of a good thing; The Simpsons is always compared to Arthur, and I know tons of people have actually been wanting to see that show come to an end for sometime now as well. Similarly, Seth MacFarlane is actually desperately wanting to end Family Guy, but FOX won't let him (lesson learned there: always retain the rights to your own work), and it seems like a number of people have been complaining that FG isn't good anymore either... it's always kind of a good idea to conclude a series while it's still popular with viewers (The Muppet Show or M*A*S*H, for example) so that it can go out on a high note, as opposed to going on to the point where people are so sick of it that when it does finally conclude, it does so with very little fanfare.

Family Guy use to be watchable, but it isn't anymore. Same with American Dad and the Cleveland Show. That's the reasoning I've been watching The Simpsons a lot more now then ever before. Seth MacFarlene did indeed confirm that he wants to end it. He plans on doing The Flintstones after FG is finished. It also doesn't surprise me The Simpsons is compared to Arthur.

They both have been around since the 1990s (well that's to a degree). Large amounts of characters in both shows plus other things. Basically if you want to look at it that way, The Simpsons is what Arthur would be like if the show was rated PG. As for how long both shows will last well it depends on if anyone is still interested in it next year and the year after and so forth. What they need to do is find things that have never been done before and apply it. That will get people interested in the show again by doing new things.

Snowth Woogle

  • Aquaintance of Arthur
  • ***
  • Posts: 419
  • Location: The Sugar Bowl
    • View Profile
    • The Joseph Scarbrough Universe
Re: Long Running Series
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2013, 09:21:39 pm »
I don't want MacFarlane to remake The Flintstones.

The Flintstones is a television classic, it was a ground-breaker being the first animated primetime sitcom, it came from the golden era of television, and the last thing it needs is to be infested with foul language, raunchy humor, and vulgar content.
I stretch like a snake, and I shimmy and shake, and I bounce like a ball, and I say something cute when you give me a squeeze!

MCCJ

  • Guest
Re: Long Running Series
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2013, 09:50:45 pm »
I don't want MacFarlane to remake The Flintstones.

The Flintstones is a television classic, it was a ground-breaker being the first animated primetime sitcom, it came from the golden era of television, and the last thing it needs is to be infested with foul language, raunchy humor, and vulgar content.

I doubt we will see any of that.

Snowth Woogle

  • Aquaintance of Arthur
  • ***
  • Posts: 419
  • Location: The Sugar Bowl
    • View Profile
    • The Joseph Scarbrough Universe
Re: Long Running Series
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2013, 11:06:47 pm »
This is Seth MacFarlane we're talking about...
I stretch like a snake, and I shimmy and shake, and I bounce like a ball, and I say something cute when you give me a squeeze!

MCCJ

  • Guest
Re: Long Running Series
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2013, 12:18:19 am »
This is Seth MacFarlane we're talking about...

Okay. So what? If Eddie Murphy did it he would keep the elements that made The Flintstones well loved the same. I have a feeling MacFarlane will do the same since he is a fan of the show after all. I also am reading he is going to voice Barney as well. He also did state it would stay original too. Right now though due to his schedule it's been put on hold for now.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2013, 12:21:13 am by MC CJ »

MCCJ

  • Guest
Re: Long Running Series
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2013, 12:22:29 am »
I have a few reasons why I want Arthur to end soon.

One: I was looking forward to the series finale. I have I feeling I know what would happen in the series finale. It seems as predictable as the Bionic Bunny 10th anniversary special was for D.W. in "Happy Anniversary."

What do you think will happen in the series finale? I'm curious.

I don't want MacFarlane to remake The Flintstones.

The Flintstones is a television classic, it was a ground-breaker being the first animated primetime sitcom, it came from the golden era of television, and the last thing it needs is to be infested with foul language, raunchy humor, and vulgar content.

I doubt we will see any of that.

If anything, it would be cool for Seth McFarlane to take the helm of that live-action Jetsons film that has been in development for YEARS now...

I heard that film has been delayed so many times. lol.