A generic term for dramatic series that run in a one-hour time slot. Along with the Sitcom and the Reality Show, one of the three primary non-news, non-sports television programming types found on American TV. The term is purely a type descriptor and conveys no indication of the level of humor or high drama on the show, or lack thereof.
Of course, an "hour-long" TV program is usually not really an hour long unless it's on The BBC, premium cable, or a streaming service. More like 40-42 minutes plus commercials. note
Contrast Dramatic Half-Hour.
