|
| The Programming Insider -- Friday 7/25/03 Marc Berman NBC Is Last but Not Least Opening Session: Jeff Zucker Speaks At an executive session that accentuated the positive (we're No. 1 in every daypart), while failing to mention the negative (like double digit year-to-year rating declines in prime time), NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker offered some interesting statistics. "As you know, we've been the top-rated network for seven of the last eight years and the last three in a row, remarkable winning streaks in this day and age. And I know there's been a lot of talk about competitors breathing down our neck, but the fact is in three years the prime-time leadership race has hardly changed at all. Three seasons ago we enjoyed a 7 percent advantage over Fox and a 20 percent lead over CBS. Last season, virtually the same: a 5 percent lead over Fox, and an 18 percent gap over CBS." Keep in mind, these statistics are based on adults 18-49 only. Among total viewers, something NBC has never emphasized, CBS is the top network. According to a humbler Zucker: "Which is not to say that we don't have our challenges. Of course we do. Fixing Tuesday this season is the biggest by far." Even if Whoopi is the next Emeril and lead-out Happy Family is anything by smiling once the ratings come in, the move of the rock-solid Law & Order: SVU to 10:00 p.m. guarantees NBC growth on Tuesday. The network's dominance on Friday, however, could be up for grabs if SVU replacement Boomtown can't handle potential CBS sleeper The Handler. "Obviously, I don't think Boomtown is going to be SVU. But I have confidence in that show and I think that the rest of the night will continue to be in very good shape. Dateline has been the No. 1 show on Friday nights at 9:00 p.m. for five years in a row now. So there's no reason to believe that's going to change. And I believe that Miss Match at 8:00 p.m. is the perfect fit for that time period. So I actually feel quite good about Friday nights, although I acknowledge at this stage of its life that Boomtown is not SVU." The big news, which wasn't necessarily surprising news, was the official announcement of Matt LeBlanc being spun-off into his own comedy, Joey, after Friends ends in May. Although life for Frasier after Cheers was obviously met with great success, keep in mind that Frasier was initially scheduled after Seinfeld in the 1993-94 season. LeBlanc's Joey will have to anchor Thursday from the get-go, no easy proposition given the absence of his five Friends. As for Frasier, which is expected to sign off after this coming season: "I don't think it's been in a slump for a long time," notes Zucker. "I think it had an off-creative year last season. And we've taken major steps to correct that. We've brought back in Chris Lloyd and Joe Keenan to run the show this year. And I also don't think that we supported Frasier at all last year on the night. It was an island unto itself. And I think we've taken some steps to shore up the night and help it with regard to that." If a show can't stand on its own after a decade, it's time to say goodnight. On the NBC Panel Front: THE LYON'S DEN Sunday 10:00 p.m. ET -The Premise: Described as a maverick scion from an American political dynasty, Rob Lowe as John "Jack" Turner trades a prestigious career for a job at a small pro-bono law clinic helping those without means who need legal representation. -Who Was There: Rob Lowe, Kyle Chandler, Wes Craven, Frances Fisher, David Krumholtz, Elizabeth Mitchell, James Pickens, Jr. and creator Remi Aubuchon -The Scoop: Lucky Rob Lowe -- six months ago the press was calling him the next potential McLean Stevenson for exiting a hit series. Now he's on a new show that looks potentially promising. -The Reality: With the growing Law & Order: Criminal Intent as its lead-in and opposite ABC's re-tooled The Practice, viewers bored with the David E. Kelley drama might find the legal-themed The Lyon's Den a satisfying alternative. Maybe Rob Lowe's departure from The West Wing wasn't such a bad career move after all. ---------- AVERAGE JOE Time period to be determined -The Premise: In yet another NBC reality series, a stunning beauty queen (is there any other kind?) and former NFL cheerleader moves into a multi-million dollar estate in Palm Springs thinking 16 potential Prince Charmings are arriving. The twist: The potential princes turn out to be average Joes -- nerds, geeks and ordinary people. Average Josephine, Kathy Griffin, hosts. -Who Was There: Kathy Griffin, four members of the reality cast and executive producer Stuart Krasnow. -The Scoop: If you think Kathy Griffin's voice on television is annoying, listening to her in person is like putting your nails against a blackboard. Even so, based on her fascination with reality ("I am tired of art") she's a good pick to host a show about the ordinary. -The Reality: Instead of finding the right reality programming, NBC's philosophy is to keep throwing them against the wall until one sticks. But considering this is one that seems to have a real sense of humor, you'll get a good laugh if you watch it. Count me in. ---------- MISS MATCH Friday 8:00 p.m. ET -The Premise: In this new romantic comedy, a burgeoning divorce attorney (Clueless star Alicia Silverstone) with a knack for matchmaking tries to make a career out of her hobby to the dismay of her boss and father (Ryan O'Neal). -Who Was There: Alicia Silverstone, Ryan O'Neal, Lake Bell, David Conrad, Jodi Long, James Roday and executive producer/creators Darren Star and Jeff Rake. -The Scoop: Although there is nothing wrong with a drama that is feel-good and cutesy, Darren Star (Melrose Place) should know from experience what viewers get hooked on and this isn't it. -The Reality: After prematurely canceling Providence last season, NBC is hoping the female-oriented Miss Match will add some fire to the time period after the non-success of recent entries Mister Sterling and America's Most Talented Kid. But will dateless women who are home on a Friday night really be interested in spending time with a small screen matchmaker? ---------- THE RESTAURANT Current -- Sunday 10:00 p.m. through Aug. 24 -The Premise: First-class New York chef Rocco DiSpirito and his ultra-chic Manhattan restaurant are the subjects of this currently running one-hour scripted drama. -Who Was There: Rocco DiSpirito, Nicolina DiSpirito and executive producers Robert Riesenberg and Ben Silverman -The Scoop: Although I personally am not hooked on this series, I wouldn't mind having a meal there in person. The food looks pretty darn good. -The Reality: After a modest start last Sunday (7.4 million viewers -- about three million less than repeat lead-in Law & Order: Criminal Intent), there might be some seats still available at The Restaurant. ---------- HAPPY FAMILY Tuesday 8:30 p.m. ET -The Premise: John Larroquette and Christine Baranski are hopeful empty nesters who can't seem to get their adult children out of the house. -Who Was There: John Larroquette, Christine Baranski, Jeff Davis, Tyler Francavilla, Susan Gibney, Melanie Paxson and executive producers David Guarascio and Moses Port. -The Scoop: If Happy Family fails, co-star Melanie Paxson has a future as an animated voice. Wait until you hear what comes out when she opens her mouth. -The Reality: The expected collapse of lead-in Whoopi is unlikely to make anyone happy once the ratings come in. Although NBC is busy touting the return of star John Larroquette, small screen life after Night Court (The John Larroquette Show, Payne) has been grim. Ditto for co-star Christine Baranski, when went from Cybill to short-lived sitcom Welcome to New York in 2001. Press Tour Tidbits: Notes of Interest -Starting the Day With Starting Over: At a breakfast for upcoming first-run syndicated strip Starting Over, this show isn't The View, it was not originally called The Last Woman Standing and it's a welcome alternative to the standard array of daytime talk, court, game shows and off-network sitcoms. In a reality-driven concept hoping to capitalize on the current craze in prime time, women from different backgrounds and with different dreams share a house in Chicago as they attempt to make extraordinary changes in their lives. "What's wonderful about this show is that we're tapping into an audience that actually has been under-served by reality television," said Jon Murray, executive producer of Starting Over. "For years we've heard from women who have said, 'You know, we can't be on The Real World. We're over 25.' And if you look at these shows out there, whether it's the Bachelor or anything else, these women are not on anything. So they're actually very excited that they would have an opportunity, and there have been no shortage of women this age and who look like this that want to be on television and do this show." ----- -Father of the Pride in 2004-05: In addition to Matt LeBlanc's Joey spin-off, NBC has also confirmed half-hour Father of the Pride, the first computer-generated-imaging (CGI) prime-time series for a major broadcast network. Father of the Pride centers on a pride of white lions that perform in Siegfried & Roy's world-famous Las Vegas act. Look for the voices of John Goodman, Orlando Jones, Carl Reiner and Curb Your Enthusiasm's Cheryl Hines. -Conan Hits the Big 10: Although it only seems like yesterday when I was reading the overnights to producer Jeff Ross and wondering if Conan O'Brien would make it past its current 13-week renewal, the ultimate survivor (and now Emmy nominee) will celebrate 10 years as host of NBC's Late Night with a 90-minute prime-time special on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 p.m. -Mark Your Calendars: With the exception of Las Vegas, Scrubs and Good Morning, Miami, all NBC fall entries will debut the week of Sept. 22. Look for those three to kick off one week later. -On the NBC Made-For Menu in 2003-04: Like this season, NBC will only produce an estimated six original made-for movies. Titles include Saving Jessica Lynch, Secret Santa with Jennie Garth in December, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation II with Randy Quaid and four-hour miniseries 10.5. -Nia Long Reprises Here Role on NBC's Third Watch: Underrated NBC Thursday drama Third Watch, which moves to 10:00 p.m. Monday this season, will feature the return of Nia Long (Judging Amy) as a young police officer who joins the force next season. Long originated the role this past April. In other Third Watch news, like The West Wing and ER, the show is to be broadcast wide screen. -Tiffani Thiessen Heads to Good Morning, Miami: Former Fastlane/Beverly Hills, 90210 star Tiffani Thiessen will appear in three early episodes of improved NBC comedy Good Morning, Miami, which moves to Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. In case you don't know it, the wisecracking nun is long gone! -I'm On and Gone in 60 Seconds: An innovative concept of one-minute movies -- featuring names like Michael Richards, Tom Arnold, Bill Bellamy, Carmen Electra and Jackee Harry -- will air on NBC as interstitial programming between commercials next season. Each original minute will unfold with a cliffhanger in the first 30 seconds followed by a resolution in the last 30 seconds. We'll call that fast TV! |