HBO has a bothersome habit of killing some of its shows before their time (see: Carnivale, Deadwood), and apparently, some are worried that a similar fate will befall its newest fan favorite, Game of Thrones. Well, everyone can stop panicking for no reason, because it’s not going anywhere. For a while. Perhaps even a long while. As in, someone mentioned Law & Order as a comparison.
At their Television Critics Association press tour stop, HBO programming president Michael Lombardo assured everyone that despite any possible paranoia, Game of Thrones is here to stay.
“I hope it lasts for 20 years … I promise you we won’t stop it before it’s ready to stop. … There’s a great relationship fans have with the show, and we appreciate that.”
Twenty years?? That’s “forever” in TV Years! But it is comforting to know that a series that is based on a series of books –five published, two pending — has a very good chance of being around to tell the entire story. And that’s exactly what the plan is, according to HBO co-president Richard Plepler:
“We told [author George R.R. Martin] we’d go as long as he keeps writing.”
But will the number of episodes be increased from 10 per season after seeing such a great response? No. Because when you produce a TV show on a film-level budget, you can only do so many at a time. (Or none, at least for a few years. Just ask George Lucas.)
Quick question, though, of a killjoy nature: Will Game of Thrones‘ performance at the Emmys have any effect on this? Let’s cross our fingers on “NO.”
