Ongoing or Finite Stories?

[JustJon]

Do you prefer stories that go on and on (like soap operas, sitcoms, most tv) or stories that end (standard movies, miniseries)?

I think a big part to me of a good story is a good ending. There are times when I am reading or watching a great story and I can't wait for it to be over because I really want to see how it ends, who the killer is, etc. Same goes for tv, when I'm happy that shows I like end for the season because I want to see how they wrap up the season's storylines.

[JPMNICK]

in the past year I have realized I like finite stories much better. I DVR a lot of shows, but the ones i go to first are the finite stories like House and Numb3rs where each week the show has a real ending.

I find myself losing interest very quickly in shows like Lost and Hereo's where you go MONTHS with nothing really getting resolved and more stories being added.

[TeeBone]

Movie - Finite
Books - Finite
Drunk girl at a party telling what happened to her that day - Infinite; just to see people's faces.

[lleeder]

I prefer finite cause they make you think more and wonder what would happen if given more time. The problem now is many times a sequel will come along and ruin that sense of "What If?"

[IrishAlkey]

I just got finished watching Damages and realized I love having something wrapped up quickly and neatly, as opposed to Heroes, which is dragging along and starting to piss me off.

As opposed to Lost, which they write on the toilet of the bus that's driving them to the set...

[Furtherman]

I like Finite movies, with the exception of Lord of The Rings or any other worthy sequels... which I can't think of right now...

But as for TV shows - I have no problem with ongoing, because I understand that those type of shows have a story to tell and in order to tell it, they have to confine to television standards. If "something happened" (and something ALWAYS does) every week as some people use as an excuse to complain, then the shows would never succeed.

A show like Lost is even better the second time around, it's original and attention grabbing, and I cannot wait to sit through another season with the knowledge that we will be no closer to learning all the secrets of the island then we are today. That will not happen until the show comes to a close (unless it's cancelled prematurely), so you might as well sit back and enjoy the ride. Same goes with Heroes.

[cougarjake13]

for me if its a movie i want it to be finite, none of that cliffhanger shit, like lord of the rings which took 3 movies and 6 years or whatever to finish, i loved the movies just haited the wait

tv shows i like for them to go on but it depends on the show

[epo]

Most TV premises are much better with a finite setting. The BBC definitely gets it right with this one.

[Kris10]

On and on.... this is the exact reason why I'm not a movie person. I hate when movies end because I like to find out what happens to the characters.

[jauble]

Most TV premises are much better with a finite setting. The BBC definitely gets it right with this one.

I have nothing more to add you said it perfectly

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/02/22/gervais_wideweb__470x367,0.jpg

[LiddyRules]

I like finality.

Especially with videogames, I like finality. Games like Tetris or pinball bother me because there is no ending, there's no win. Surpassing someone's high score is a hollow victory. I want to feel as though there's a point to it all.