It's finally that time of year when the smell of new episodes of our favorite shows fills the air. Many of these shows, however, are approaching an unfortunate point. It hasn't escaped my notice (nor the notice of hundreds of TV watchers for decades) that after a certain number of episodes, even the best shows need to call it quits. Known as "jumping the shark" after an episode of "Happy Days" with a ridiculous premise, there is an epic history of shows who have reached this point and seem to refuse to give up. This not only makes fans of the show aggravated, but prevents the by-then successful actors from moving on to other jobs.
I propose that there should be a general rule for all of television: no show should last longer than five seasons. That is more than 100 episodes, which is plenty of time for whatever is meant to happen in that show to happen and for everybody to be content with the amount of content placed before them. Especially if you're binge-watching.
Several of our favorite shows have committed this tragic sin and could have avoided unfortunate ends, if only they had stopped sooner. ***Spoilers ahead***
"Friends"
Did we really need to see Ross and Rachel break up more than twice? Or technically once, considering:
"How I Met Your Mother"
This show, potentially, could have ended a lot sooner. Was it necessary for it to drag on for four more years than it needed to, especially since the creators knew how it would end from the beginning, only for Ted to end up with Robin anyway?
"Two and a Half Men"
If only this show had ended sooner, we wouldn't have had to witness the tiger-blood-infused madness that was the meltdown of Charlie Sheen. Whenever the main character of a show is replaced, it's time to say goodbye.
"Lost"
Even this critically-acclaimed show could have done without its last season. And especially its last episode. The fact that those people were actually dead after being in a horrible plane crash was really not the surprise finale the creators imagined it to be.
Some of our favorite shows today have definitely jumped the shark long ago. "The Big Bang Theory" is running thin on nerd material. "Bones" is beginning to feel cold. "Criminal Minds" rotates a new character every season. And, as much as it pains me to say, "Supernatural" keeps recycling its plot every year.
So, how do we avoid losing our favorite shows to the deep, dark cavern of monotony? We let them end when they are supposed to, when there really is no more story to tell. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule. Cartoons and crime dramas can stay on the air for so long without wearing thin because nothing changes in their world; there are endless opportunities to further the story because it never actually goes anywhere. "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" has followed the cartoon world's lead with this and, ten years later, people are still excited to see what's next for the gang.
You know what they say: If you love something, set it free. I don't see why you can't apply this to your favorite TV show. So here's to fewer seasons, more quality content, and better shows.
