Reply #15: Thanks for bringing this up

[Blasphemer]

For years, I've lamented the way that American series go on long past their creative peak. I definitely prefer the British method. Emma Thompson once guested on "Cheers" and she commented commented on her preference foe the American system but that was 15 years ago and TV has changed significantly and good writers are spread very thin. The most popular of sitcoms are mediocre at best compared to the great sitcoms of the past. I do think that dramas have held up better, which I think is due in part to cable stations giving creators and writers more leeway than the big 3 networks. I love the show Weeds and the season 3 finale was by all rights, the proper end to the series. What little I saw of Season 4 was the result of creatively spent writers. Yeah, they're still making money off the show but I have no desire to watch TV shows that are on their last legs. I simply stop watching as soon as they "jump the shark".