TV

4 Wild Things TV Shows Did When They Ran Out Of Budget

4 Wild Things TV Shows Did When They Ran Out Of Budget
Image credit: Legion-Media/Paramount Television

Here’s what happens when TV shows go flat broke.

We all love TV shows for different reasons: thrilling plots, compelling characters, or stunning visuals. But what happens when these beloved shows run out of money? Well, the lack of funds can spark some wild creativity or cause some really terrible decisions. Let’s take a look at some instances.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

The second season finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation revolves around Commander Riker contracting a serious alien virus, leading to a lackluster storyline that takes place mostly in sick bay.

The episode was hastily produced due to network pressure and had to use previously-shot footage which turned the finale into a clip show.

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The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk TV show, a beloved part of Marvel history, featured David Banner transforming into a green, half-naked bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno. In an attempt to save money during the first season, the show shamelessly used existing footage from other movies owned by the studio.

For example, one episode took place entirely on an airplane and incorporated scenes from the film Airport 1975. Another episode involved a truck chase and used footage from the TV movie Duel. Surprisingly, both the airplane and Duel footage were from well-known and recent productions.

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The Walking Dead

The second season of The Walking Dead sees the group of survivors taking refuge in a farmhouse, which initially seems promising but becomes monotonous over time. The decision to focus on the farmhouse was influenced by budget constraints and the network's desire to have more indoor scenes.

The budget cuts also caused conflicts between the show's director Frank Darabont and the network. Ultimately, the director was fired and replaced.

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Lost

Lost took a similarly stagnant approach when it decided to confine its main characters to polar bear cages for six episodes during the third season. This plot choice left viewers questioning if they had accidentally switched to watching Prison Break.

Critics believed that the writers of Lost were running out of creative ideas, but in reality, the show was facing budgetary constraints and attempting to buy time.