Since they have trouble filling less than an hour with much of interest, viewers may not hold their breath for the three-hour version.
The rumored three-hour version of the film does indeed exist, although not in order.
The shows are available in either their full original four-hour format, or an abbreviated three-hour version that omits the first hour of the show.
So Peter Sellars's three-hour avant-garde version has had the stage to itself here.
José Saramago died before the final cut was finished but still watched a three-hour version of the film.
The three-hour version, long feared lost, was rediscovered in a 70mm print owned by a collector.
But the three-hour version on Showtime does little to support the network's claim.
There were also three-hour and 127-minute versions released.
Ultimately, Universal signed off on a three-hour seven-minute version that executives said cost $207 million, many millions over budget.
Scarborough intends to bring back the show in a revised three-hour version at an undisclosed time in the future.