Number of episodes in each season!
 

I was wondering. Does any one know why there is never the same amound of episodes in each season. I mean, I would understand if there was a little difference, but not so much. some have 13 other have 47 or 41, 20, 16. I find that very strange. Most cartoons have pretty much the same number of episodes in each season and if not, there is usually not a 30 episode difference. Does any one know?

Well the first season was more of a 'pilot' to see if it got picked up, after it did they made a 13 episode season, after seeing how succesful the franchise was its when they started to make the huge ass seasons, and as the show started to die they made very few to 'test' the waters. until it ended.

I've never known a programme that's been so careful.. :)

There was alot wrong with the series. That was only one of the things. Along with tons of animation errors. Like Dons disappearing wrist bands in the Return of the Technodrome episode.

You don't watch a lot then.

And the third season completes a 65-episode block, which is a common number for syndicated cartoons. The next season is when CBS picked it up and started with the irregular numbers of episodes per season, although there were still a few more syndicated episodes in season four.

I don't really understand the whole thing with syndication or something. Are there only certain episodes allotted for syndication and the others only for the original network to air?
I remember growing up, one of the stations I watched the show on aired all of season 1, most of season 2 (except the four Eye of Zarnoth and the Return of the Shredder episodes), 12 episodes from season 3 and 26 from season 4.
After a few years, they also introduced most of season 5 into their rotation but that was it.
Another station I watched it on aired everything from the first 4 seasons and that was it.
Then CBS only aired select episodes from season 4, 5 and everything from 6 onward.

Popularity
 

Proably because TMNT was much more popular in 1989-1990, when so many episodes aired, than when the TMNT interest begun to fall by 1995-1996.