In the old days, HBO’s “The Gilded Age” would have roared into a third season with at least 12 episodes. And they’d be an hour long.
But I’m told when “The Gilded Age” returns — maybe this spring or later — there will be only 8 installments.
Disappointed fans will be further frustrated when they hear that the episodes are “Short,” says insider. Length of episodes in the first two seasons ranged from 46 to 80 minutes. It sounds like Season 3 will fall more on the 46 end.
Oh how we long for those old days! HBO and Warner Discovery could have developed a 5 or 6 season series with “Gilded Age.” But that would take money, and the new owner — David Zaslav — obviously doesn’t want to make that investment. “Gilded Age,” from Julian Fellowes, was set to become the American “Downton Abbey.”
Most of the original cast will return with the exception of Tony winner Michael Cerveris, who’s currently killing it on Broadway in Elton John’s “Tammy Faye” as the slimy Jerry Falwell. A slew of new people are coming including Phylicia Rashad, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Bill Camp, and many Broadway stars.
Maybe if “Gilded Age” returns with bigger numbers this time, HBO will give it a longer fourth season. It’s too bad this season is so curtailed, however. Season 3 is usually when a show really takes off.
