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**petitemimi** · 02-15-2009, 03:57 PM

I took all the Clark time that you calculated from all seasons and I made an average per episode for Clark (maybe you already did it!) rounded down:

Average per episode
S2= 23 min
S3= 22 min
S4= 21 min
S5= 20 min
S6= 17 min
S7= 16 min
(Tom time: 18 min)
S8= 20 min

**BadToad** · 02-15-2009, 04:14 PM

No, thats cool. I'm good with numbers, but suck at averages. Go figure

**9-SOSIHTWB** · 02-15-2009, 04:41 PM

Considering that each episode lasts approx 42 mins, in season 6 and 7 Tom Welling wasn't on screen as long as I thought he would be!!!!!!!!!!!!

**akaLane** · 02-15-2009, 05:48 PM

This truly is a great project, BadToad, and I'm grateful that you've taken the time to do this and share the info with us. Season 8 seems to be looking up in terms of average screentime for Clark (and for Lois, too, whom I particularly care about

), so I look forward to seeing how the rest of the season shakes out.

**BadToad** · 02-15-2009, 07:20 PM

I think given the fact that there are only 2 fulltime cast members now, there was just no way they couldn't up Clark's screentime. Though he had even more screentime in the earlier seasons, with a full cast in almost every episode. Go figure.

**Just Another Guy** · 02-15-2009, 08:53 PM

In those early seasons, the show had fleshed out very little backstory and environment. Nowadays, Smallville has created its own universe that runs in part without Clark's participation. (Luthorcorp being a prime example.) Those early seasons were about "young Clark Kent in high school." Since then, they've built on the universe so that we can see what's happening when Clark isn't around.

Not saying it's good or bad. Just saying that's why. That's my opinion, anyway.

**BadToad** · 02-15-2009, 09:07 PM

You could be right, but IMO, it hasn't served the show particularly well, and its taken away from the character of Clark. And if this show isn't supposed to be about Clark, and getting that character right, then I'm really wondering what the heck the whole point was.

Also, there was a ton of Luthorcorp stuff in the early seasons, and it never took away from Clark.

**TW1977** · 02-15-2009, 09:17 PM

Pretty interesting! Thanks for the info!

**Just Another Guy** · 02-15-2009, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by BadToad

You could be right, but IMO, it hasn't served the show particularly well, and its taken away from the character of Clark. And if this show isn't supposed to be about Clark, and getting that character right, then I'm really wondering what the heck the whole point was.

Well, most TV shows adapt their own premise as time goes on for the sake of ratings and/or creativity. Clark's story can't be boring or rushed, so other stuff has to happen in order to spread it out.

Originally posted by BadToad

Also, there was a ton of Luthorcorp stuff in the early seasons, and it never took away from Clark.

Sure, but in the middle of the series, we started seeing Lana's story taking off on its own; even more Lex, Lionel, and Luthorcorp drama; and eventually, more DC characters like Brainiac and Oliver. Every little subplot adds up, until they make up a fair percentage of the show. Luthorcorp was just the best example. And remember, in season 1, we saw very little of it.

**skully** · 02-15-2009, 09:29 PM

Originally posted by 9-SOSIHTWB

Considering that each episode lasts approx 42 mins, in season 6 and 7 Tom Welling wasn't on screen as long as I thought he would be!!!!!!!!!!!!

S7 was crabbed up with too much Kara and Grant Gabriel.

BTW, awesome work, BT.

**BadToad** · 02-15-2009, 09:34 PM

Well, most TV shows adapt their own premise as time goes on for the sake of ratings and/or creativity. Clark's story can't be boring or rushed, so other stuff has to happen in order to spread it out.

Sure, other things need to happen, but not to the detriment of Clark. Seems to me that by stalling Clark's story so badly, they've definitely hit boring territory, and now with the end very near, there's a definite rushed quality to a lot of it. IMO, good writers figure out how to write good stories for their main character, not lose interest in him because they are stretching the show out.

Sure, but in the middle of the series, we started seeing Lana's story taking off on its own;

I can't think of one Lana story that took off on its own that improved this show. YMMV

Every little subplot adds up, until they make up a fair percentage of the show.

And the main character get squeezed out. His importance and prominence chipped away with each new shiney subplot that the writers want to play with. To me, that isn't good writing in the slightest.

Let me give you an example of a show that handled it well, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon, someone who is generally well considered as a writer and showrunner, used to have a motto. With every script, every episode, he used to ask "where's the Buffy?" Because he recognized who the most important character was, and he knew that the key to keep the show cohesive and strong was to keep the show centered on her. I don't believe SV writers look at every script and ask "Where's the Clark?", nor do I believe that they are even remotely as interested in him as a character as they should be given the premise of the show. JMO

Luthorcorp was just the best example. And remember, in season 1, we saw very little of it.

I haven't gone back and rewatched S1 lately, but I can tell you that Luthorcorp was very, very heavily featured in S2 & S3, and the show still managed to remain very tightly centered on Clark, and never shortchanged his end of the story.

**Just Another Guy** · 02-15-2009, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by BadToad

Sure, other things need to happen, but not to the detriment of Clark. Seems to me that by stalling Clark's story so badly, they've definitely hit boring territory, and now with the end very near, there's a definite rushed quality to a lot of it. IMO, good writers figure out how to write good stories for their main character, not lose interest in him because they are stretching the show out.

I can't think of one Lana story that took off on its own that improved this show. YMMV

And the main character get squeezed out. His importance and prominence chipped away with each new shiney subplot that the writers want to play with. To me, that isn't good writing in the slightest.

Let me give you an example of a show that handled it well, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon, someone who is generally well considered as a writer and showrunner, used to have a motto. With every script, every episode, he used to ask "where's the Buffy?" Because he recognized who the most important character was, and he knew that the key to keep the show cohesive and strong was to keep the show centered on her. I don't believe SV writers look at every script and ask "Where's the Clark?", nor do I believe that they are even remotely as interested in him as a character as they should be given the premise of the show. JMO

I haven't gone back and rewatched S1 lately, but I can tell you that Luthorcorp was very, very heavily featured in S2 & S3, and the show still managed to remain very tightly centered on Clark, and never shortchanged his end of the story.

I never said it was for better or worse. I simply said that it happens. And, yes, seasons 2 and 3 were big on Luthorcorp. But season 1 wasn't.

For the record, I've been a fan of every season, for the most part. I certainly wouldn't say it's ever become boring to me. And sure, Clark's part has diminished, from a certain point of view, but I'm a fan of ensembles, so, hey, I'm happy either way.

**Clark/Lois-fan** · 02-18-2009, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by petitemimi

I took all the Clark time that you calculated from all seasons and I made an average per episode for Clark (maybe you already did it!) rounded down:

Average per episode
S2= 23 min
S3= 22 min
S4= 21 min
S5= 20 min
S6= 17 min
S7= 16 min
(Tom time: 18 min)
S8= 20 min

It's funny that with each season, we get less and less minutes of Clark, with S8 turning it around

**lifelovedestiny** · 02-19-2009, 03:24 PM

Wow, this made my day seeing how much Lois is actually in each episode! (It's more than I thought, but a little more never hurt anyone

!!)

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