Family Ties Forever!
04-07-2005, 01:48 AM
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=upsell_article&articleID=VR1117920529&categoryID=14&cs=1
Inside Move: Eye Laffer May Hear 'Yes' Again
'Dear' Comedy Cheats Death Yet Again
By JOSEF ADALIAN
April 4, 2005
After cheating death last year, little-laffer-that-could "Yes, Dear" is making a strong play for another season.
Critics have never given the skein much respect, and even CBS seemed to have grown tired of the family comedy. Eye execs chose not to put "Dear" on their fall sked last May, opting instead to try out new comedies on Monday and Wednesday nights.
As insurance, CBS ultimately decided to order 13 episodes of "Dear" as a midseason backup. It was a smart move: "Center of the Universe" was a quick flop, and having "Dear" on hand made filling the 9:30 Wednesday slot much easier
But in something of a surprise, "Dear" has turned out to be much more than a placeholder. Laffer is regularly retaining or building on its "King of Queens" lead-in. And while "King" is being hurt by "American Idol," the "Dear" perf is still impressive, especially for a little-promoted comedy in its fifth season.
Most industry insiders figured "Dear" would finish out its final run of 13 segs (which allowed the skein to cross the 100-episode threshold) and then quietly wrap things up. Now, however, there seems to be a chance the show could earn another season."Its performance has opened some eyes around here," said one CBS insider.
A renewal no doubt depends on how high CBS execs are on their 2005-06 comedy development next month and whether the net tries to expand to eight comedies next fall or stick with its current six-laffer sked. CBS declined to comment on the future of "Dear."
Date in print: Mon., Apr. 4, 2005'; 'Los Angeles'
Inside Move: Eye Laffer May Hear 'Yes' Again
'Dear' Comedy Cheats Death Yet Again
By JOSEF ADALIAN
April 4, 2005
After cheating death last year, little-laffer-that-could "Yes, Dear" is making a strong play for another season.
Critics have never given the skein much respect, and even CBS seemed to have grown tired of the family comedy. Eye execs chose not to put "Dear" on their fall sked last May, opting instead to try out new comedies on Monday and Wednesday nights.
As insurance, CBS ultimately decided to order 13 episodes of "Dear" as a midseason backup. It was a smart move: "Center of the Universe" was a quick flop, and having "Dear" on hand made filling the 9:30 Wednesday slot much easier
But in something of a surprise, "Dear" has turned out to be much more than a placeholder. Laffer is regularly retaining or building on its "King of Queens" lead-in. And while "King" is being hurt by "American Idol," the "Dear" perf is still impressive, especially for a little-promoted comedy in its fifth season.
Most industry insiders figured "Dear" would finish out its final run of 13 segs (which allowed the skein to cross the 100-episode threshold) and then quietly wrap things up. Now, however, there seems to be a chance the show could earn another season."Its performance has opened some eyes around here," said one CBS insider.
A renewal no doubt depends on how high CBS execs are on their 2005-06 comedy development next month and whether the net tries to expand to eight comedies next fall or stick with its current six-laffer sked. CBS declined to comment on the future of "Dear."
Date in print: Mon., Apr. 4, 2005'; 'Los Angeles'