History Main / Front13Back9

* The 13th episode of ''ArrestedDevelopment'' draws a number of its plot arcs to a close, including the LoveTriangle between Michael, Marta, and Gob, as well as Tobias' anxiety over his reluctance to go nude.

* ''Series/{{Glee}}'' had a crucial competition win, resolution for several story arcs, and even a traditional kiss in the final scene in its 13th episode. All of the front 13 were produced before airing and have fewer songs. They're also generally considered the shows best episodes by the majority of the fandom

The term is derived from the UsefulNotes/{{Golf}} terms "front-" and "back-nine", likely because [[OfficeGolf the golf course]] is the common [[ExecutiveMeddling executive foraging grounds]].

* ''Series/{{Glee}}'' had a crucial competition win, resolution for several story arcs, and even a traditional kiss in the final scene in its 13th episode. All of the front 13 were produced before airing and have fewer songs, less use of Sue Sylvester, and no theme episodes.

The most obvious signs of this Trope (apart from WordOfGod) are the additions or alterations of important elements or a change in show atmosphere midway through the first Season (as opposed to between the first and second seasons) or a SeriesFauxnale in the middle of ''any'' season.

Compare TwelveEpisodeAnime and BritishBrevity, the latter of which denotes a country with a short broadcast season. Contrast CutShort, where a series doesn't even make the full Front 13,

* In Series/{{Community}}, there is a very clear shift in tone and characterization after the first half of the first season that persisted for the rest of the show's run, making the first half come off as particularly rough.
* Series/TwentyFour has Bauer's wife and daughter rescued and the first assassin killed in the 13th episode, providing some resolution if the back 9 (well, back ''11'' in this case) was not ordered. The scene where the ''second'' assassin was dispatched could have been cut in that case.

Nowadays, network TV shows in the United States (with the exception of news programs and daytime {{soap opera}}s) usually have about 22 episodes per season, give or take one or two.[[note]]Back during the black-&-white era, however, a typical half-hour sitcom could air as many as 36 episodes per season! Also, hour-long shows premiering on cable channels tend to have only 13-16 episodes per season (sometimes split half-and-half, or close to it), with "pilot" seasons sometimes running only six or seven. HBO's standard season, for instance, has always been 13 episodes long.[[/note]] But networks rarely have enough confidence in a new show to order all 22 at once. Typically, the first 13 episodes will be ordered, followed by the remaining 9 if ratings are high enough. These sets of episodes are referred to as the "Front 13" and "Back 9", with the latter term being more commonly used. The front 13 are often produced before any episodes are aired and before there can be any public feedback. If the creators are doubtful about the back 9 being ordered, the 13th episode often contains some kind of resolution so the audience isn't left hanging. ShortRunners often have 12 or 13 episodes produced, even if not all of them were aired.

Compare TwelveEpisodeAnime, BritishBrevity.

* {{Dollhouse}} had a DVD-only 13th episode due to confusion between the network and studio about the number of episodes in the order. It was set in a post-apocalyptic future to avoid disrupting the show's story arcs with an episode that wasn't aired.

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' is a subtle example. The front 13 were produced before airing, so footage from all of them was available when editing the pilot. So in the scene where Buffy thrashes around in bed having prophetic dreams, she can only predict the first 13 episodes...
** Although since ''Buffy'' was a MidseasonReplacement, the first season couldn't be full length to begin with.
* ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' is essentially the front 13 (as well as the pilot), and nothing else.
* ''Series/MythQuest'' has only 13 episodes. It's not clear if it was cancelled or just not renewed.

* After bad ratings for ''Vanished'' Fox told the writers to wrap it up in 13. They did.
* ''The Mob Doctor'' got cancelled after 13 episodes. The writers JustEatGilligan by having her kill the mob boss and run off with her FBI informant boyfriend.

Nowadays, network TV shows in the United States (with the exception of news programs and daytime {{soap opera}}s) usually have about 22 episodes per season, give or take one or two.[[note]]Back during the black-&-white era, however, a typical half-hour sitcom could air as many as 36 episodes per season! Also, hour-long shows premiering on cable channels tend to have [[BritishBrevity only 13-16 episodes]] per season (sometimes split half-and-half, or close to it), with "pilot" seasons sometimes running only six or seven. HBO's standard season, for instance, has always been 13 episodes long.[[/note]] But networks rarely have enough confidence in a new show to order all 22 at once. Typically, the first 13 episodes will be ordered, followed by the remaining 9 if ratings are high enough. These sets of episodes are referred to as the "Front 13" and "Back 9", with the latter term being more commonly used. The front 13 are often produced before any episodes are aired and before there can be any public feedback. If the creators are doubtful about the back 9 being ordered, the 13th episode often contains some kind of resolution so the audience isn't left hanging. ShortRunners often have 12 or 13 episodes produced, even if not all of them were aired.

* Series/TwentyFour has Bauer's wife and daughter rescued and the first assassin killed in the 13th episode, providing some resolution if the back 9 was not ordered. The scene where the ''second'' assassin was dispatched could have been cut in that case.

Network TV shows in the United States usually have about 22 episodes per season nowadays[[hottip:*: Back during the black-&-white era, however, a typical half-hour sitcom could air as many as 36 episodes per season! Also, hour-long shows premiering on Cable channels tend to have only 16 episodes per season (split 8/8 or 9/7), and HBO's standard season has always been 13]]. But networks rarely have enough confidence in a new show to order all 22 at once. Typically the first 13 episodes will be ordered, followed by the remaining 9 if ratings are high enough. These sets of episodes are referred to as the "Front 13" and "Back 9", with the latter term being more commonly used. The front 13 are often produced before any episodes are aired and before there can be any public feedback. If the creators are doubtful about the back 9 being ordered, the 13th episode often contains some kind of resolution so the audience isn't left hanging. ShortRunners often have 12 or 13 episodes produced, even if not all of them were aired. Compare: TwelveEpisodeAnime

* ''The Mob Doctor'' got cancelled after 13 episodes. The writers Just Eat Gilligan by having her kill the mob boss and run off with her FBI informant boyfriend.

Network TV shows in the United States usually have about 22 episodes per season nowadays[[hottip:*: Back during the black-&-white era, however, a typical half-hour sitcom could air as many as 36 episodes per season! Also, hour-long shows premiering on Cable channels tend to have only 16 episodes per season (split 8/8 or 9/7), and HBO's standard season has always been 13]]. But networks rarely have enough confidence in a new show to order all 22 at once. Typically the first 13 episodes will be ordered, followed by the remaining 9 if ratings are high enough. These sets of episodes are referred to as the "Front 13" and "Back 9", with the latter term being more commonly used. So far so dull, but the 13/9 structure does tend to bleed through into the actual show in interesting ways. The front 13 are often produced before any episodes are aired and before there can be any public feedback. If the creators are doubtful about the back 9 being ordered, the 13th episode often contains some kind of resolution so the audience isn't left hanging. ShortRunners often have 12 or 13 episodes produced, even if not all of them were aired. Compare: TwelveEpisodeAnime

* ''The Mob Doctor'' got cancelled after 13 episodes. The writers [[Just Eat Gilligan]] by having her kill the mob boss and run off with her FBI informant boyfriend.

Examples:

* In {{Community}}, there is a very clear shift in tone and characterization after the first half of the first season that persisted for the rest of the show's run, making the first half come off as particularly rough.

* In {{Community}}, there is a very clear shift in tone and characterization after the first half of the first season that persisting for the rest of the show's run, making the first half come off as particularly rough.

Network TV shows in the United States usually have about 22 episodes per season nowadays[[hottip:*: Back during the black-&-white era, however, a typical half-hour sitcom could air as many as 36 episodes per season! Also, hour-long shows premiering on Cable channels tend to only have 16 episodes per season (split 8/8 or 9/7), and HBO's standard season has always been 13]]. But networks rarely have enough confidence in a new show to order all 22 at once. Typically the first 13 episodes will be ordered, followed by the remaining 9 if ratings are high enough. These sets of episodes are referred to as the "Front 13" and "Back 9", with the latter term being more commonly used. So far so dull, but the 13/9 structure does tend to bleed through into the actual show in interesting ways. The front 13 are often produced before any episodes are aired and before there can be any public feedback. If the creators are doubtful about the back 9 being ordered, the 13th episode often contains some kind of resolution so the audience isn't left hanging. ShortRunners often have 12 or 13 episodes produced, even if not all of them were aired. Compare: TwelveEpisodeAnime

Network TV shows in the United State usually have about 22 episodes per season nowadays[[hottip:*: Back during the black-&-white era, however, a typical half-hour sitcom could air as many as 36 episodes per season! Also, hour-long shows premiering on Cable channels tend to only have 16 episodes per season (split 8/8 or 9/7), and HBO's standard season has always been 13]]. But networks rarely have enough confidence in a new show to order all 22 at once. Typically the first 13 episodes will be ordered, followed by the remaining 9 if ratings are high enough. These sets of episodes are referred to as the "Front 13" and "Back 9", with the latter term being more commonly used. So far so dull, but the 13/9 structure does tend to bleed through into the actual show in interesting ways. The front 13 are often produced before any episodes are aired and before there can be any public feedback. If the creators are doubtful about the back 9 being ordered, the 13th episode often contains some kind of resolution so the audience isn't left hanging. ShortRunners often have 12 or 13 episodes produced, even if not all of them were aired. Compare: TwelveEpisodeAnime

''[[FridayNightDeathSlot Friday nights]] - that's when [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Fox advertises its 12-episode DVD sets.]]''
-TimMinear

Network TV shows usually have about 22 episodes per season. But networks rarely have enough confidence in a new show to order all 22 at once. Typically the first 13 episodes will be ordered, followed by the remaining 9 if ratings are high enough. These sets of episodes are referred to as the front 13 and back 9, with the latter term being more commonly used. So far so dull, but the 13/9 structure does tend to bleed through into the actual show in interesting ways. The front 13 are often produced before any episodes are aired and before there can be any public feedback. If the creators are doubtful about the back 9 being ordered, the 13th episode often contains some kind of resolution so the audience isn't left hanging. ShortRunners often have 12 or 13 episodes produced, even if not all of them were aired. Compare: TwelveEpisodeAnime

The term is derived from the UsefulNotes/{{Golf}} terms "front" and "back nine", likely because [[OfficeGolf the golf course]] is the common [[ExecutiveMeddling executive foraging grounds]].

* {{Dollhouse}} had a DVD-only 13th episode due to confusion between the network and studio about the number of episodes in the order. It was set in a postapocalyptic future to avoid disrupting the show's story arcs with an episode that wasn't aired.

* ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' is essentially the front 13 (as well as the pilot), and nothing else.

* {{Glee}} had a crucial competition win, resolution for several story arcs, and even a traditional kiss in the final scene in its 13th episode. All of the front 13 were produced before airing and have fewer songs, less use of Sue Sylvester, and no theme episodes.
* BuffyTheVampireSlayer is a subtle example. The front 13 were produced before airing, so footage from all of them was available when editing the pilot. So in the scene where Buffy thrashes around in bed having prophetic dreams, she can only predict the first 13 episodes...
* ''{{Firefly}}'' is essentially the front 13 (as well as the pilot), and nothing else.

* Series/TwentyFour has Bauer's wife and daughter rescued in the 13th episode, providing some resolution if the back 9 was not ordered.

Network TV shows usually have about 22 episodes per season. But networks rarely have enough confidence in a new show to order all 22 at once. Typically the first 13 episodes will be ordered, followed by the remaining 9 if ratings are high enough. These sets of episodes are referred to as the front 13 and back 9, with the latter term being more commonly used. So far so dull, but the 13/9 structure does tend to bleed through into the actual show in interesting ways. The front 13 are often produced before any episodes are aired and before there can be any public feedback. If the creators are doubtful about the back 9 being ordered, the 13th episode often contains some kind of resolution so the audience isn't left hanging. ShortRunners often have 12 or 13 episodes produced, even if not all of them were aired.

* TwentyFour has Bauer's wife and daughter rescued in the 13th episode, providing some resolution if the back 9 was not ordered.

''Friday nights - that's when Fox advertises its 12-episode DVD sets.''
-Tim Minear

* BuffyTheVampireSlayer is a subtle example. The front 13 were produced before airing, so footage from all of them was available when editing the pilot. So in the scene where Buffy thrashes around in bed having prophetic dreams, she can only predict the first 13 episodes...

Network TV shows usually have about 22 episodes per season. But networks rarely have enough confidence in a new show to order all 22 at once. Typically the first 13 episodes will be ordered, followed by the remaining 9 if ratings are high enough. These sets of episodes are referred to as the front 13 and back 9, with the latter term being more commonly used. So far so dull, but the 13/9 structure does tend to bleed through into the actual show in interesting ways. The front 13 are often produced before any episodes are aired and before there can be any public feedback. If the creators are doubtful about the back 9 being ordered, the 13th episode often contains some kind of resolution so the audience isn't left hanging. Shows which are CancelledTooSoon often have 12 or 13 episodes produced, even if not all of them were aired.