Why are there so many reruns every season? With most shows the reruns are in the summer time. Does anyone besides me wish that the show was a daily thing?

-- Lisa Schroy (LSchroy@aol.com), February 10, 2000

Answers

I don't know why the networks are rerun happy. NBC seems to be especially guilty. My husband and I have gotten so angry about the midseason reruns, we turn the channel. It's hard to follow the story line when they repeat episodes not only from the current season but from last season as well! I'm tired of waiting for a sweeps period to see a current episode. My coworkers think it's a way for the networks to produce fewer episodes--a money saving device. Regardless, if your listening NBC, give us a break.

-- Jamie D (jsdaer@amug.org), February 11, 2000.

The reason that ER has become so rerun happy may have to do with the fact that each episode costs a million dollars to produce and direct. That doesn't include the huge salaries that many of the shows actors make. So, if NBC were to film as many episodes as they did when the show first began, they would have to increase the advertising space prices, which would in turn mean a loss in show sponcers.

-- Rebecca (psyguy@hotmail.com), February 11, 2000.

Part of the reason that ER's new episodes are so sporadic, and have been in the past as well, is because of the way the show is directed.

Something you really have to pay attention to notice is that there are a lot of long tracking shots, especially during trauma room scenes. What you have is one long camera shot, with the camera moving around the room and sometines into other rooms, with actors and extras moving in and out of the shot. To accomplish these types of setups require oodles of rehearsal and preparation time. ER usually has two or three of these type of shots *per episode.* Most shows are lucky to have something like that happen to them once a season.

And speaking of the season, almost all TV shows order 22-23 episodes per season (and some order fewer than that). There are 52 weeks in a year; I think you can do the math. Convincing the networks to order more episodes than they currently do would be a nearly impossible task.

-- Victor (mata9@flash.net), February 11, 2000.

Except for the first season (which had 25 episodes, including the 2- hour pilot), EVERY season of ER has consisted of 22 episodes. As of the end of this month, we will have seen 15 of this year's episodes. So, hang on to your hats, ER fans. There will only be seven (that's right, 7) more new episodes between the end of February and the end of May. I don't know why any of you are complaining. It's the same way every year. It's the same way with most shows (especially the expensive, hour-long dramas). 22 episodes, spread out over 8 months, with nothing but reruns and preemptions in between. Get used to it.

-- Marcy (mrolfe@aznet.net), February 11, 2000.