Small screen, big investment: TV episodes have become way too long
Briefly

The genre of The Bear has been debated extensively, particularly around its classification as a comedy despite the lack of humor. Initially functioning as a half-hour sitcom, its fourth season includes episodes stretching well beyond this format, with runtimes varying from 30 minutes to over an hour. This trend reflects a broader shift away from traditional television norms, allowing shows like Stranger Things to expand their episode lengths as well. The freedom from linear scheduling has empowered creators to tell more comprehensive stories, reducing the constraints of commercial breaks.
The classification of The Bear as a comedy is misleading, as it lacks traditional humor and levity, influencing its perception as a sitcom despite deeper narratives.
The latest season of The Bear features episodes ranging from 30 minutes to over an hour, highlighting a trend towards flexible runtimes in contemporary television programming.
The decline of scheduled linear television has allowed creators more freedom in runtime, removing the constraints imposed by ad breaks and fostering creative storytelling.
With distorted runtimes across various shows like Stranger Things and Too Much, viewers can now expect longer episodes, altering the landscape of traditional television viewing.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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