NBC 2005-2006 show lineup
The once-unstoppable network has announced its partial fall lineup today, a little ahead of FOX, ABC and CBS, and the despair is showing. It’s not very obvious, especially if you don’t look where some of the shows are being moved, why other shows are being canned, and what new shows are about. Not very obvious at all
First of all, let me assure all the fans of Matt LeBlanc (all 4 of them) – Joey is coming back in the fall. Yes, your prayers have been answered. While gems like Scrubs are not even present in the first half of the upcoming season, shite like Joey gets renewed. Why? You keep your best performers happy. On the same note, Will & Grace is coming back. At least that show knows it’s a gimmick, and is playing for the jokes. Predictable, snotty, “NY-snobs-with-money-and-connections”, but jokes nevertheless. When’s the last time you laughed at Joey? Or for that matter, with Joey? Sure his sister is hot, his nephew is a constant source of geeky, nerdy references, and his agent steals every scene she’s in, but what about Joey himself? Not funny, but it’s the best they got, so it’s gotta stay. But nevermind that dumb policy.
Another “fave” of mine – West Wing – is coming back on Sundays. You know, Sunday, that day of the week only two networks have tried to claim (ABC and FOX) and are currently deadlocked to prevail in ratings. Deadlocked in 10-15 million viewers. Sure, putting a meek, toothless, once impressive, once relevant political show up against Desperate Housewifes, Simpsons, Boston Legal and Grey’s Anatomy is a recipe for success. I guess it’s better than not getting another season of West Wing at all, but I don’t see the show surviving in that slot. Maybe it’s counter-programming – for all poor souls who despise ABC’s Housewives, and can do without FOX’s animation domination, something intelligent at the end of the weekend is a nice alternative. I’d tune in, but I’m in no way representing those 10-15 million needed to get noticed.
Among cancellations, Law & Order: Trial By Jury, too bad about that. I liked the acting (Bebe Neuwirth is phenomenal, and can deliver any line with a straight face), but got tired of the cross-linked storylines b/w other Law & Order shows. The Contender is gone. Sly is just not able to get a break, what’s going on with his karma? And American Dreams – a good idea that’s just run dry. Third Watch – to both of you still watching – just flip the channel any day of the week and find a suitable clone on another network. Committed is canned – it was quirky and kinda cute, but I guess not good enough for those looking to lure in 15 million people.
What’s new next season – anything that gets attention. Big stars – Jason Lee has a sitcom about a criminal who wins a lottery and tries to set his life straight (My Name Is Earl); big producers – Jerry Bruckheimer, who simply cannot be stopped these days is bringing up Pentagon drama E-Ring; big controversies – Martha Stewart is doing a clone of The Apprentice. Actually, I found that The Apprentice is all about the contestants, and the big boss with his/her antics is only icing on the cake. If they can find interesting candidates, and Martha’s writing and delivery is engaging, this can easily be a hit for NBC. I’m tolerating Donald just so I can see his peons interact (although this season it’s tough to find a favourite, when everyone seems to be coasting).
What else is new – another medical drama. Why, oh why? I know the mathematical, financial reasons for it (ER is falling behind, House MD is catching up, Grey’s Anatomy is spinning out), but why another show about doctors, when you already have a gem like Scrubs – oh, I forgot, it’s not even on the sked for Fall. Let’s leave this thing alone. Also, a sci-fi drama about underwater sea creature. I wonder if there’s more to it than one sentence description.
Overall, I clearly see that NBC is getting trigger-happy – West Wing move is suicide, Scrubs absence is bad. The Office is staying around for now – good. Sure, the BBC version is sharper, but then the US version hits more home, with sleepy offices, hush-hush socializing, and overall tone. Just because NBC doesn’t have a hit, doesn’t mean they should be sacrificing the rest of their lineup, no matter how weak it is. They need to get a few hits, so that this hectic schedule doesn’t kill everything else that’s watchable on the network.
They got greedy when they were #1, missed an opportunity to build solid shows, and are now officially milking what’s left. The talent is all there – actors, writers – who will simply go to another network, and have better luck with better shows. What needs to be done is a massive executive producing cleanup – these people are overpaid, they have no vision, and cannot deliver entertainment. How else can you explain a slide from #1 network to #3 in just one season? It wasn’t shows like “Friends” and “Frasier”, it was the people who nurtured, delivered and promoted these shows into the top 10 watched shows. Obviously these people are either gone, or are simply collecting their massive paychecks. Let them go, bring back energetic, cheaper, more open-minded producers who will take this failing network back to its perch. And don’t forget about the fringe – NBC has been good to “unpopular” segments of audience with “Frasier”, “West Wing”, “Scrubs” – so keep them going. Not every one of your shows has to be watched by 15 million people.
