Network Television
Posted on 03/27/2008 8:31:09 AM PDT by abb
It's been a midseason muddle for the broadcast networks.
Most of the 10 comedies and dramas launched in the last three months, such as NBC's high-profile Internet pickup "quarterlife" and Fox's Julianna Margulies drama "Canterbury's Law," struck out with viewers.
The resumption of regular programming, as the industry slowly ramps up production following the 100-day writers strike, cannot come soon enough for the networks.
The walkout, which ended six weeks ago, transformed the TV schedule into a barren landscape of low-rated reruns and reality shows, not the best platform to promote new scripted offerings.
Midseason often is reserved for rolling out questionable shows that didn't make the networks' cut for fall. Some shows do find an audience, such as ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," NBC's "Medium" and CBS' "Rules of Engagement." And Fox has regularly held off promising new entries to launch around midseason heavyweights "American Idol" and "24."
This season, the midseason scripted batting average has been modest: CBS took one bite at the apple with the February comedy "Welcome to the Captain." Airing amid repeats of its Monday night comedy block, "Captain" was sunk after five episodes.
NBC yanked "quarterlife" after a single episode in January. Soon after, the network debuted "Lipstick Jungle," which has limped along Thursday nights with a season average of 6.7 million viewers.
ABC debuted "Miss Guided" after "Dancing With the Stars" last Tuesday. The sitcom averaged 9.3 million viewers, losing 7.7 million from its lead-in. When moved to its regular Thursday slot, the series dropped to a 6.3 million viewers. The drama "Eli Stone," which airs against "Lipstick," has given lukewarm returns with a 8.6 million viewers. Still, ABC is creatively pleased with the show, and "Stone" looks likely to return next season.
But the network with the worst -- and best -- track record is Fox.
Currently a lock to win the season, Fox's January-launched "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" remains the highest rated of the midseason scripted flock with an average of 10.8 million viewers and is likely to return next fall.
On the downside, Fox recently threw four other shows against the wall that have largely failed to stick: the comedies "The Return of Jezebel James" and "Unhitched" and the dramas "Canterbury's" and "New Amsterdam."
"Canterbury's" (6.7 million) was pushed from its Monday slot to Friday after two episodes. "Jezebel James" (3.2 million) won't return after getting pulled off the schedule. "Unhitched" (4.7 million) is struggling on Sundays amid Fox's animated comedies, which post higher numbers in repeats than "Unhitched" does in originals.
"Amsterdam," which moved to Mondays after a two-night showcase after "Idol," has held up best of the quartet with an average of 10.1 million viewers.
"I didn't want to have anything left in the cupboard in case something surprised us," said Preston Beckman, executive vp strategic program planning at Fox. "In the case of 'New Amsterdam,' we have evidence the show is catching on among viewers and we hope to see that translate into ratings."
Of course, With "Idol" powering the network to weekly ratings victories, Fox can shrug off the missteps. And Beckman likewise noted the amount of reality programming on the air gave scripted shows an uphill battle.
"As all the nets put on more unscripted, it's not the right environment to promote scripted shows," he said. "It's a different audience."
With scripted shows like CBS' Monday night comedy block returning to above-average ratings, networks are anticipating an influx of scripted TV fans as fall shows resume their runs. But whether any of the struggling midseason efforts will benefit from the on-air revival remains to be seen.
ping
There’s been new shows???
There was nothing on at all last night. Tuesday is the worst night for t.v..
Garbage in, garbage out.
I haven’t watched a show other than “The Unit” (on DVD) in the last few years.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed “Jericho” this season. Sad to see it end.
I could care less if the writers went back on strike. Maybe they would then break out some of the good old “Gunsmoke”, “Have Gun Will Travel”, etc episodes.
Only thing good on the tube is the black and white movies of yesterday. You’d think the writers would get it.....but then again they believe their stuff don’t stink. Hollywood should have let them stay on strike and let the new writers blossom.
The strike has taught people that there are other things to do than watch TV. I like the Sarah Connor Chronicles although it was a bit weak at times. Having seen New Amsterdam I think it is more of chick show than anything else. Highlander ruled in its day.
Was anyone else on FR as disgusted with the new Knight Rider as me? From the beginning lesbian one night stand to the loser like ‘hero’, to a conspiracy involving ‘Blackriver’ military contracting firm. I mean, give me a break.
Network Television
Sarah Connor Chronicles! Good Stuff.
The only new show I have even watched over the past few years is LOST...and I admit to being hopeless addicted to it! I have no idea what any of the other new shows have been about. I’m usually watching an old movie or some sort of history or nature documentary. I also know where the OFF swith is on the TV and use it frequently.
By the end of this decade or shortly thereafter, television networks as we know them today will cease to exist. They will be just another url on the world wide web competing against millions of others.
Network evening newscasts will go dark after the ‘08 elections and their news divisions disbanded.
TV sucks I would rather and do for the most part watch old movies on Turner classics. I was chatting at lunch the other day with co-workers and we all agreed that the variety shows with the likes of Carol Burnett and Sonny and Cher would beat any reality show hands down. Imho
I’d rather they’d just rerun football games. For comedy, they could rerun Ravens and Dolphins games.
the gutter part of the dial.
Too bad advertisers have not gotten a clue yet.
I don’t think I’ve watched a regular network show (save for sports and news, and even less of the latter) since “Moonlighting” and that was what, 20 years ago?
Haven’t missed a thing.
“Jericho” was fantastic(!) , but I guess CBS has cancelled it. :-( Heard Sci-Fi channel was interested in it but I guess that fell through.
LOL! Then you’re just the one to comment on the current shows.
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