Written on 7/5/16

-Because of the shortened season, and because I want to have the 100th episode in November, season five is starting early. Based on the plans I have now, season five will have the most episodes since season two. I still have no idea how I was able to pull off 28 episodes in nine months, but I feel like my increased standards along with my procrastination and writer's block are reasons for why I haven't been able to match that count. Of course, it should always be quality over quantity, but I didn't even reach 20 episodes this season. I failed to reach my goal this time, but I really want to go the distance for season five and get more episodes done.

-Anyway, for the reasons mentioned above, season five is having an early premiere date of August 28. I chose that date because the MTV Video Music Awards are that night and the episodes will air right after them as a leadout program. You know, like how new episodes of television shows will often air right after the Super Bowl? I wanted to do that last year, but the episode wasn't ready yet. And the season will not only start early, but open up with two episodes. This will help me make up for the missing season four episodes. I'm going to do another doubleheader on September 25, which is when season five would have started and the fall schedule begins. A third and final double episode night will take place most likely on October 30, the night before Halloween. I already have a Halloween episode ready to be written but I just came up with another one so I'll use that one. The two episodes will most likely contrast each other with the first one being darker and more intense.

-The big one-hour 100th episode is slated for November 27. I refuse to give away any major details, but the plot is very Thank You, Heavenly and involves a battle. I came up with it along with a couple other potential stories for the 100th episode. It was the first one I thought of and I fell in love with it so I'm going to see how it works out for me. Leading up to the episode, I'm going to add a section to Backstage Pass called "100 Things You May or May Not Know About Thank You, Heavenly." In every Backstage Pass from the season premiere to the 100th show, I'm going to include interesting facts and tidbits about the series. I already reveal a lot about the show in the Backstage Pass as it is, so I'll try to be as fresh as I can with the information.

-A Christmas episode is in the works, with three different plots: Sparky and Buster in the main plot, RK and Wade in the subplot, and Jaylynn and Anja in the C-plot. It will come on December 18 and will be either a half-hour or 45 minutes. I was considering a New Year's Eve episode, but I really have nothing right now and I wouldn't know when to air it exactly, since Christmas/New Year's fall on the weekend this year. If it does happen, I guess it will come on December 23 or December 30.

-The fourth Super Bowl episode will come next January. One of the stories I was going to use for this season's episode will just be saved and used for next season's episode.

-There might be another time machine episode, and if it does happen, it will be the two-part season finale. I'm also going to end it in May, no late finishes this time. Unless I really have no choice, but like I said, I want to go the distance in season five.

-There's going to be a third Cimorelli episode in season five, guest-starring Fifth Harmony as well. It's going to have RK take way too many sleeping pills, become a psychotic killing machine in his dreams and kidnap both girl groups in an attempt to get them to stop singing as he drives all over Vegas in an RV. No, I'm just kidding, that's not happening. I actually came up with the idea of Sparky and the gang traveling to Nashville to meet Cimorelli in real-life this time, but after the second episode, I'm just going to hold off on it until season six, maybe. I don't know, I'm not that interested in doing a third Cimorelli episode unless I have something new to say.

-There's going to be at least two episodes next season that play with the format of the series.

-After season five, I'm releasing The Thank You, Heavenly Movie in the summer of 2017. It's going to be epic. Or it might be if I was actually doing it. I used to be interested in doing a film based on the show but then I realized that I can literally tell any story I want with a regular episode. Until I find something too good to use on the show, a movie's not happening. The Thank You, Heavenly Movie will most likely end up being the series finale since the 100-episode count will be passed while I'm still interested in writing the show, it has to be the biggest adventure the kids have ever been on and I have to devote all my time and energy into writing it. Makes no sense to do a film script and then go back to the show a few weeks after that.

-I'm not going to reveal any episode plots for season five right now because I just know it's going to come back and bite me, so here are the dates for new episodes from August 28 to December 30. Remember, everything is subject to change:

August 28 (season premiere doubleheader)

September 25 (fall premiere doubleheader)

October 2

October 9

October 16

October 23

October 30 (Halloween doubleheader)

November 6

November 13

November 27 (TWO-PART 100TH EPISODE)

December 18 (Christmas episode)

December 23 (potential New Year's Eve episode)

December 30 (potential New Year's Eve episode)

-The goal is to get to 26 episodes like I tried doing this season. I have a long road ahead of me, but I will definitely try writing more frequently and ahead of time.