History SerialEscalation / LiveACtionTV

** How bizarre will the costumes be this season? So far, there's been a muscular pineapple, a crossdressing Elizabethan leopard, a rhino wearing old-fashioned pilot gear, an aristocratic giraffe, a walking pair of lips, a set of nesting dolls, a mish-mash of seashells, a cyborg porcupine, a one-eyed heart queen... and the craziest is yet to come!

** How bizarre will the costumes be this season? So far, there's been a muscular pineapple, a crossdressing Elizabethan leopard, a rhino wearing old-fashioned pilot gear, an aristocratic giraffe, a walking pair of lips, a set of nesting dolls, a mish-mash of seashells, a cyborg porcupine, a one-eyed heart... and the craziest is yet to come!

** Which celebrities will raise the A-list factor even higher? Antonio Brown, Music/TPain, Ninja, Music/{{Seal}}, Music/LilWayne, Tony Hawk, UsefulNotes/SarahPalin, Rob Gronkowski, Creator/MickeyRourke, [[Franchise/TheMuppets KermitTheFrog]], Creator/LoganPaul, Music/BobbyBrown...

** Which celebrities will raise the A-list factor even higher? Antonio Brown, Music/TPain, Ninja, Music/{{Seal}}, Music/LilWayne, Tony Hawk, Creator/SarahPalin, Rob Gronkowski, Creator/MickeyRourke, [[Franchise/KermitTheFrog]], Creator/LoganPaul, Creator/BobbyBrown...

* ''Series/TheATeam'': How many rounds of ammunition can they [[ATeamFiring pointlessly waste]] today? How many cars/jeeps/trucks will flip over? Will they destroy more property than in the last episode? Can [[CrazyAwesome Murdock's]] latest delusion be any funnier and/or more ridiculous than the last one?

** 2017, ''Series/CrisisOnEarthX'': Unlike last year, all four shows have an episode dedicated to the event (when previously ''Supergirl'' was only a RedSkiesCrossover), plus a few newcomers from ''WesternAnimation/FreedomFightersTheRay'' making their debut. It details the wedding between ''The Flash'' OfficialCouple Barry Allen and Iris West, only for the ceremony to be interrupted by parallel-Earth Nazis.
** 2018, ''Series/Elseworlds2018'': This one scales back to three episodes, leaving the Legends out, but Superman makes his crossover debut and Batwoman is introduced in anticipation of her own show. While previous crossovers were fairly self-contained, this one is clearly stated to be a trial run for a ''crisis'' that's just around the corner...

** 2019, ''Series/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths2019'': The one they've been building to for years, featuring a threat to the entire multiverse that brings in cameos from across decades of DC film and television history. Black Lightning makes his crossover debut, [[spoiler: *Ezra Miller's Flash from the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse* makes a cameo]], and it ends with the current CW DC shows becoming a MergedReality to make future crossovers that much easier.

** 2019, ''Series/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths2019'': The one they've been building to for years, featuring a threat to the entire multiverse that brings in cameos from across decades of DC film and television history. Black Lightning makes his crossover debut, [[spoiler: *Ezra Miller's Flash* makes a cameo]], and it ends with the current CW DC shows becoming a MergedReality to make future crossovers that much easier.

* ''Series/TheMaskedSinger'': How many contestants will participate this season? How good can the costumes and performances get?

** 2014, ''Seriesh/FlashVSArrow'': The two episodes (one apiece for ''Series/{{The Flash 2014}}'' and ''Series/{{Arrow}}'') are mostly self-contained and have no impact on each other.

* The annual crossovers set in the ''Series/{{Arrowverse}}'' has been gradually getting larger in scope with each installment.
** 2014: The two episodes (one apiece for ''Series/{{The Flash 2014}}'' and ''Series/{{Arrow}}'') are mostly self-contained and has no impact on each other.
** 2015: This time around it's an actual two-parter, with the Arrow episode taking place directly after the Flash crossover, and sets up the next series ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow''.
** 2016: A three-part epic in which Team Flash, Team Arrow, the Legends and ''Series/Supergirl2015'' have to repel an AlienInvasion.
** 2017: Unlike last year, all four shows have an episode dedicated to the event (when previously ''Supergirl'' was only a RedSkiesCrossover), plus a few newcomers from ''WesternAnimation/FreedomFightersTheRay'' making their debut. It details the wedding between ''The Flash'' OfficialCouple Barry Allen and Iris West, only for the ceremony to be interrupted by Nazis. This time it has a separate page dedicated to the event and it alone: ''Series/CrisisOnEarthX''.

** The show itself could be an example. What new assignment will make [[HilarityEnsues hilarity ensue?]] How many [[IncrediblyLamePun Incredibly Lame Puns]] can be worked into an episode? What new [[MadScientist insane]] [[GadgeteerGenius gadget]] will Graeme think up? Can Bill Oddie's background songs ''be'' [[EarWorm catchier]]? What next overblown monologue will Tim lead about England while [[SorryILeftTheBGMOn playing his record]] of ''Land Of Hope And Glory''? And most importantly, (how) ''can the [[BottleEpisode episodes set in one place really be as good as the others]], if not better?''

** 2016: A three-part epic in which Team Flash, Team Arrow, the Legends and ''Series/{{Supergirl 2015}}'' have to repel an AlienInvasion.

** The BigBad of the first season of Series/LegendsOfTomorrow was ComicBook/VandalSavage who other than being completely immortal was mostly a BadassNormal, then in season 2 they were fighting a LegionOfDoom led by [[SuperSpeed evil speedster]] and super genius Eobard Thawn / The Reverse Flash, when they defeated them they unleashed an EldritchAbomination [[UpToEleven and when they defeated him they unleashed a whole prison]] [[GenreShift filling history with fantastic creatures]] with the implication that they're saving the worst for last. In this case it could be argued that as the villains are getting more powerful so are the hero's since in this time they've added members higher on the SuperPowerLottery such as [[Franchise/TheFlash Wally West]] and ComicBook/JohnConstantine.

* ''Series/Vikings'': Season 1 had two major battles. The first one involved groups of plus 30 people duking it out and the second close to a 100. Come season 3 the final three episodes involes thousands of Vikings laying siege on Paris and by season 5 there are battles involving over 6000 every other episode.

** The fourth series finale tops even this, [[spoiler:putting ''every single universe'' in peril. If that weren't enough, it features all three of the Doctor's main companions from the New Series returning, plus Sarah Jane Smith, her son, computer, and robot dog, Captain Jack Harkness and the Torchwood crew, plus Rose Tyler's mother and ex-boyfriend (i.e. around 80% of all returning characters from the New Series, probably excepting only those who couldn't fit filming into their schedules). And let's not even get into which villain from the Classic series returns, or which ship finally sets sail.]]
** The 2009 Christmas special tops even this, [[spoiler: with the Master turning every single human on earth into a copy of himself, which is only the warm-up to the Time Lords coming back from with the intent of destroying the entire fabric of space/time, to allow themselves to "ascend" and become creatures of pure consciousness.]] The only mercy is that Creator/RussellTDavies is stepping down after this, so he won't be tempted to top even this next time.
** [[http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/The_Big_Bang The Fifth Series Finale]] tops even all those with [[spoiler: Daleks, Cybermen, Silurians, Judoon, Sontarans, Sycorax, Autons and more. In an alliance. To trap the Doctor. Which leads to most of time and space never having existed in the first place! Then, the universe gets better, but at the cost of the doctor never having existed at all. (Okay, he gets better too. But barely!).]]. It is very unclear how Moffat can possibly top that next year, though he will probably try. And succeed, of course.
*** Considering the reason for those Cracks that lead to the finale is still out there, it's almost guaranteed.
** Hell, [[Creator/StevenMoffat the Moff]] made the ''opening episode'' of Series 6, a WhamEpisode! If that's not SerialEscalation, I don't know what is!
** Series 6's finale involved River Song changing a ''fixed point in time''. ''History itself'' collapsed.
*** The Doctor managed to change the same moment safely through some LoopholeAbuse [[spoiler: He just had to be at the lake at the time, so the "Doctor" shot was actually the Tesselecta from a previous episode. The Doctor was inside it. Fixed moment? Changed. History? Intact.]] And then we get to what they were worried about. [[spoiler: the Question? [[TitleDrop Doctor Who?]] Yes, the show's name is a plot point now.]]
** The Series 7 opener has every Dalek '''''ever'''''.
*** And, topping them all, that series' finale has [[spoiler: the revelation that there is ANOTHER Doctor that has never been discussed before, one who's done something so terrible that the Doctor now refuses to acknowledge ever existed. And that's all after the Doctor finally visits Trenzalore, we find out it's the location of his future tomb, the Great Intelligence rewrites every victory the Doctor's ever had BY ENTERING HIS TIMELINE, and the truth about Clara is finally revealed.]] Oh, and that's just at the end of the episode. It STARTS with [[spoiler: the First Doctor and his very first companion, granddaughter Susan Foreman, stealing the TARDIS and fleeing Gallifrey.]]
** And all of THAT is topped in the 50th Anniversary Special, in which [[spoiler: Gallifrey is rescued with the help of every Doctor -- yes, ''including'' the redeemed War Doctor '''and''' the Twelfth Doctor, who doesn't formally debut until the Christmas special that follows]]!
** In the follow-up Christmas special "The Time of the Doctor", [[spoiler: Eleven, realizing he's actually on his final life, defends one planet for 900+ years -- and then Clara convinces the Time Lords to help him from their pocket dimension. He gets a ''whole new regeneration cycle'' and Twelve makes his debut]]!

* ''Series/Vikings'': Season 1 had two major battles. The first one involved groups of plus 30 people duking it out and the second close to a 100. Come season 3 the final three episodes involes thousands of vikings laying siege on Paris and by season 5 there are battles involving over 6000 every other episode.

* ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'': How much emotional and physical pain can the main leads get?Hm...how about a lot?

** [[Series/KamenRiderBuild the next series]] outdid themselves with their [[Main/MultiformBalance form]] quantity. This series has over 900 forms, due to [[Series/KamenRiderW W]] gimmick with multiple configurations. Let's not bring in multiple [[Main/SuperMode Super Forms.]] With so many forms, it will be no brainer that Super Duper Form will cause a nuclear blast, like [[Series/KamenRiderKuuga Kuuga.]]

** 2017: Unlike last year, all four shows have an episode dedicated to the event (when previously ''Supergirl'' was only a RedSkiesCrossover), plus a few newcomers from ''WesternAnimation/FreedomFightersTheRay''. It details the wedding between ''The Flash'' OfficialCouple Barry Allen and Iris West, only for the ceremony to be interrupted by Nazis. This time it has a separate page dedicated to the event and it alone: ''Series/CrisisOnEarthX''.

* ''Series/ICarly'': How many more things can Spencer set on fire? Exactly how sadist can you make a SadistTeacher? How long can the WordOfGod continue to ShipTease both sides? How neurotic can Mrs. Benson get? How much abuse can be heaped on poor defenceless Freddie? How much more FetishFuel and LesYay can they pack into a children's television show?

** The Fifth series finale (before the example after this) has a great example.
--->"[[IncomingHam Hellooo Stooneheeeenge!]] Who takes the Pandorica, takes the universe! But bad news everyone, 'cause [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall guess Who!]] HAH! You lot, you're all whizzing about, its very distracting. Could you all stay still for a moment, because ''' I! AM! TALKING! '''
---> *Spaceships freeze in their tracks*
--->Now the question of the hour is [[ArmorPiercingQuestion who's got the Pandorica?]] Answer: [[OhCrap I do.]] Next question: who's coming to take it from me? Come onnnnnn! Look at me, no plan, no backup, no weapons worth a damn. Oh, and something else: I don't have [[PunctuatedForEmphasis anything. To. Lose.]]
--->So!
--->If you're sitting up there in your silly little spaceships with all your silly. Little. Guns, and you've got any plans on taking the Pandorica, tonight, just remember who's standing in your way. [[LongRunner Remember every black day I ever stopped you.]] And then, AND THEN, do the smart thing. Let someone else try first.
---> [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome *Cue shot of spaceships flying away* ]]
*** [[http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/The_Big_Bang The Fifth Series Finale]] tops even all those with [[spoiler: Daleks, Cybermen, Silurians, Judoon, Sontarans, Sycorax, Autons and more. In an alliance. To trap the Doctor. Which leads to most of time and space never having existed in the first place! Then, the universe gets better, but at the cost of the doctor never having existed at all. (Okay, he gets better too. But barely!).]]. It is very unclear how Moffat can possibly top that next year, though he will probably try. And succeed, of course.

*** As an accompaniment to the aforementioned Fifth Series Finale, one particular exchange stands out:
--->'''Dalek''': "You will be EX-TERM-INATED!"
--->'''[[spoiler: River Song]]''': "Not yet. Your systems are still restoring, which means your shield density is compromised. '' [[DramaticGunCock Draws Pistol and adjusts it.]] '' One alpha meson burst through your eye stalk would kill you stone dead.
--->'''Dalek''': ''(stops moving)'' "Records indicate you will show mercy! You are an associate of the Doctor's!"
--->'''[[spoiler: River Song]]''': "I'm [[spoiler: River Song.]] Check your records again." ''(aims at the eyestalk)''
--->''[[{{Beat}} (A pause.)]]''
--->'''Dalek''': "...Mercy."
--->'''[[spoiler: River Song]]''': "Say it again?"
--->'''Dalek''': "Mercy!"
--->'''[[spoiler: River Song]]''': "One more time."
--->'''Dalek''': ''(shaking)'' "MERC-Y-Y-Y!"
** Followed up with:
--->'''Amy Pond''': "Where's the Dalek?"
--->[[spoiler:'''River Song''': ''(coldly)'' "It died."]]
** Hell, [[Creator/StevenMoffat the Moff]] made the ''opening episode'' of Series 6, a WhamEpisode! If thats not SerialEscalation, I don't know what is!

* The annual crossovers set in the ''Franchise/{{Arrowverse}}'' has been gradually getting larger in scope with each installment.

* ''TheSecretLifeOfTheAmericanTeenager'': What crazy unrealistic situation will happen next week? How stupid and unrealistic will the characters' behavior be? How much longer can they talk about sex before they'll be forced to address another issue of teenage life? Who's the next girl to get knocked up?

** ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'': Adding to the above, how high will the Riders' levels get? How much more ridiculous will the suits look? How much can [[spoiler:Kuroto Dan]] [[RefugeInAudacity get away with]] (and can he get any [[LargeHam hammier]] in the process)? Will the next tie-in movies become even crazier? [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking How much of the show]] [[{{Determinator}} can Yuuya Takahashi write or supervise]]?