When we think of past sitcoms, shows such as Friends or Modern Family come to mind. And with these comes conversations surrounding their longevity, and the 20+ episodes per season which left you with months of episodes to watch.
But now, with shows such as FX’s Adults and Hulu’s NSFW coming into the spotlight, this much-loved sitcom structure we have come to know is adapting. Instead, we are seeing shorter series, around eight episodes, with similar episode run-times. This has been the centre of much discourse, with many people questioning just how connected one can become to the recurring characters and their arcs in such a short space of time, and if this changes the whole genre as a result.
With the second season of Adults to release on 27 August, just over a year after the first seasons, we have seen just how much of a cult classic these new-age sitcoms can become. Social media has been flooded with edits and reactions, in an already established online community built from theories and ideas in the months leading to the premier.
The eight-episode structure seems to be working, especially with the younger generation. Perhaps it is their digestible nature, being able to be binged in a day or two while ill, on a reading week, or after essay season. Alternatively, it could simply be the representation of our generation in everyday situations, allowing us to connect with the characters, not in spite of the short series but because of this fast-paced intimacy.
...students can consume short-form media surrounding the series and nurture their connection to the show while between seasons.
The impact of social media is likely also at play. Viewers no longer need three-five filler episodes per season to get insight into a character because we have access to a large-scale database of ideas, opinions, and fan fiction. Through online discussions, sharing of theories, edits to different songs which imply different character traits, students can consume short-form media surrounding the series and nurture their connection to the show while between seasons. This gives larger gaps to fine-tune the writing, acting, and filming of a show, allowing it to perform its best in the eight episodes it has, rather than having inconsistent qualities in a longer, but more rushed, season.
Streaming has meant that so many series are available to us at all times, but the eight-episode season structure works because we are more connected than ever. No interest is lost in the gaps, and the shorter series become digestible for a student’s busy timetable.