While Lost fans wait years to get simple answers to their many questions, Web users will soon be able to see if Tony and Angela ever hook up in just a few hours.
Sony Pictures Television is taking some of its old television shows, such as Who's the Boss?, and condensing them into easy-to-swallow three- to five-minute run times for the Internet. The programs will initially air on Sony's Minisode Network, an ad-supported Web site set to launch this summer through MySpace.com. Sony also hopes the programs will be picked up elsewhere on the Web and eventually play on mobile phones.
And what spawned this idea of bite-sized television? YouTube, of course.
"We looked at our library and asked how we could fit this content into where the world is going in terms of watching entertainment on the Web," said Steve Mosko, Sony Pictures Television president. "We thought this was the way to apply that logic of YouTube viewing to scripted drama that is fun and interesting."
Along with Who's the Boss?, Sony will attempt to shrink Natalie and the gang from Facts of Life and further miniaturize Tattoo and others from Fantasy Island. Other programs pegged for condensing include Silver Spoons, What's Happening!!, Diff'rent Strokes, The Partridge Family, Charlie's Angels, Sheena, V.I.P., and Ricki Lake.
The shows will have a full story arc, allowing viewers to follow the program's plot, and won't just be a "best-of" collection of scenes.
"They're meant to be fun and campy," Mosko said. "They've actually brought more attention to these classic shows than they've gotten in a long time."
look its a good idea for them to show the 80's show, only for the people who love those shows from back then.not every country after the world shows us reruns from our favorites shows of the 80's.if you don't like it don't watch it then.
The idea is completely idiotic. All it would do is leave the viewer wanting more. I love reliving my childhood through some of these shows and would much rather watch complete episodes.
I vote that the Sony executives who thought this gem of an idea up be shrunk, thus making it easier to step on them.
how stupid is this
That's it just keep making it smaller, shorter because where would the stupid people be without you. Who needs an attention span anyway? What a dumb idea? Why not just start broadcasting this stuff online, intact!?! Or release on DVD instead of making it into easy to swallow pellets of TV goodness.
One word. Hindenburg. Look it up. It is the only analogy that I can make that will describe how bad an idea this actually is.
Idiotic.. is all i m saying
Terrible idea. They should spend more time putting the full season sets on DVD than on this.
Goodbye continuity, hello ADD!
Agh, what a terrible idea.
Ridiculous!
Another way to encourage the ADD generation...
I guess if you are in the mood for reliving some of your favourite retro TV shows...it could be good. I'm waiting for Monkey Magic, the Goodies, Bananaman, Metal Mickey, Danger Mouse, You Can't Do That on TV and other retro kids shows from the 80s and 90s.
I can't imagine seeing a classic TV show with large chunks missing. Not very appealing. They'll be like overstuffed commercials.
That just sounds wrong. Now we might get people on the site who think that the actual episode of the show is only 3-5 minutes long. I can see why they want to do this but really hasn't it gone far enough.
That sounds like the best idea ever.. ever.. really ever....