The Novela Formula

It starts off wonderful when we get really hooked on a show. Season one is great, you’re connecting with the characters, the season finale was a cliffhanger and the WHAM, season two doesn’t look so hot. It’s a mess actually. You get ticked off and start going on the show’s Facebook page or GetGlue to vent about how the writers are ruining the show.

Corporate wasn’t sure about season 1 but when they see how much a following the show has and they start making changes. Writers are fired. New characters are brought in. People start dying or getting pregnant. Essentially, it’s the love of money that ruins a show. They begin to see how long they can drag out a certain plot or just switch the pace entirely.

This is quite the opposite with Spanish novelas. All novelas have an expiration date. You know it’s going to happen and all loose ends will be tied. Our favorite shows now could be greatly enhanced if we started taking this approach. We get a steady pace, an awesome ending and the actors can walk away from a show proud of it. There are a few shows this could benefit from and some shows that probably would be better off going as long as they can. Examples below:

Once Upon A Time is a show that can’t go on forever. I mean, it can, but it will start to suck. This is a 4 season show, maximum. And I think I was too generous with a fourth season.  How long can they keep going ‘round and ‘round with Regina?

Hart of Dixie is one that I’m on the fence about. We could get a conclusive ending if they were to pursue only the love angle, but it could go on for a while if they started focusing a little more on the medical emergencies. Then again, how many emergencies will happen in a small town?

Community should have an expiration date as well. Six seasons and movie; real fans know why. Also six seasons because they will have to graduate eventually. Although I’m not sure how we can keep them in college those additional 2 years….

I’m 50/50 about Vampire Diaries.  Should Elena just choose a brother and then wrap it up? Or should they go on for a while with a new villain coming out every season? That’s what they have been doing for so far. Season 1 was about Katherine. Then season 2 the scarier villain was Klaus of whom Katherine was afraid.  Now in season 3 we have Silas and he frightens even Klaus. I’m seeing a pattern here. And I think they should make a lateral move with the villains. Things will soon change now that The Originals will have a spin off and I’m eagerly awaiting that premier.

Big Bang Theory can go on for years. Some say it has jumped the shark, others still say it’s fresh.  Sitcoms like this usually don’t get stale quickly. The cast seems to be growing nicely and transitions are smooth.

Psych is another show that won’t peak quickly.  It’s mainly because every episode is a different but believable case.

Happy Endings can go on for decades.  I can’t even put into words how hilarious the writers/actors have made this show.

Those are just a few samples of shows I threw out there. I’d like to know what everyone thinks.  What causes a show to jump the shark and what can writers do to keep it from happening?