How Extended Episodes Led to Decline

Launched in 1955, Gunsmoke quickly captured hearts with its 30-minute episodes, riding the wave of Western genre popularity. In a bid to capitalize on this success, the show’s format was expanded to hour-long episodes. Ironically, this decision backfired, diluting the show’s charm and leading to a decrease in its once soaring popularity.

The shift to longer episodes initially alienated many fans, causing a significant slump in viewer ratings. There were even talks of cancelling the beloved Western. However, a strategic move to a different television slot provided the show with a much-needed lifeline, sparing it from the chopping block.