TV series’ seasons are getting shorter

Q: I watched a British political drama series called “Roadkill” on PBS a couple of years ago. I only recall four episodes, and the story seemed to end mid-plot. Were other episodes created?

A: “Roadkill,” the 2020 drama starring Hugh Laurie, consisted of just four episodes. That may not seem like much, especially to people accustomed to the longer runs once common with American network shows (around 20 for broadcast hits). In fact, another reader asked recently why a favored show had only six episodes in a season.

This has been happening longer than you might think; “Fawlty Towers,” the classic British comedy, had only six episodes in each of its two seasons in the ‘70s. The first season of “The Wonder Years” in 1988 had six episodes, as well.

Shorter seasons have become more common, especially with streaming shows.

Sometimes the decisions are financial. “The Wonder Years” was a spring tryout at first, so the limited number of episodes was cost-saving if the show did not succeed. But sometimes a short run is creative. A producer once said that a 21-episode season included seven good episodes, seven OK ones and seven stinkers. In theory at least, a shorter season reduces the risk of stinkers.

Still, this is frustrating for viewers who get to know shows and their characters, only to feel abruptly abandoned — and left with a long wait for more telecasts.

Q: Are any new episodes of “Undercover Boss” scheduled?

A: I don’t know of any such plans, and it’s been more than two years since a new episode was televised. So I’d say no.

Q: Is “9-1-1: Lone Star” coming back?

A: Fox decided to hold the show from last spring for a return in its fall lineup. The Rob Lowe series begins a new season Sept. 23. And for those of you who watch “9-1-1,” the series that led to “Lone Star,” it will begin its latest season on ABC Sept. 26.

Q: Was there a TV show, maybe in 2000, called “Robbing Mick Jagger”? I don’t think Mick was in it, but I do remember Ray Romano. Or did I dream it?

A: In 2007 there was a sitcom that, after several reported title changes, aired on ABC as “The Knights of Prosperity.” It involved a group of “blue-collar misfits,” as one reference puts it, who plan to rob Mick Jagger’s apartment and later Kelly Ripa’s and Ray Romano’s. It was not a success. But Jagger did appear on the show, as well as being an executive producer. And the cast included Sofia Vergara before “Modern Family.”

Q: Has “Tacoma FD” been renewed for another season on truTV?

A: No. It ended with the fourth season, which aired in 2023. As series creators Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme noted on X (formerly Twitter), truTV decided not to back scripted comedies. Plus, the show had worked through a “crazy ride,” including two corporate takeovers and four bosses. But they called “Tacoma” “the highlight of our careers,” and they have a lot of TV and movie projects in the works.

Write to brenfels@gmail.com.