The original post: /r/television by /u/truecrimebuff1994 on 2026-05-25 00:28:57+00:00.
When did the trend of only ordering 18 episodes, instead of the classic 22, start for network (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX) shows airing in the standard Fall-Spring season? Both dramas and comedies. (Happy’s Place, High Potential, Will Trent–all 18 episodes).
Of the network shows I watch, only the Law and Order franchise have what I always considered to be a “full season.” Has “The back 9” vanished almost entirely?
18 episodes for the midseason slate makes sense–you have less weeks. But there were several Fall shows this year where I was caught off-guard that they ended in mid-April at 18 total episodes, because their finales didn’t quite feel like they were finales. It was more like the writing was rushed, hitting a wall with the episode count and could have benefited from 3 or 4 more.
So when did this start? I know there’s a trend for even shorter seasons on streaming, but the network broadcast standard had always been 22, or so I thought.
(And don’t get me started on shows like the Scrubs revival, or Memory of a Killer, or even RJ Decker. If you’re just going to do 9 or 10 episodes, screw network TV, just throw it on Disney Plus / Hulu and let 'em curse.)