Was NBC trying to kill the drama genre when they decided to plant Jay Leno's folksy talkfest at the tail-end of primetime every night? TV critics and a smattering of on-screen stars tied to the network have been critical of the decision, which has so far resulted in canceled dramas ('Southland') and sagging ratings for Leno and the shows that follow him.

But Anthony Edwards, whose serious work on 'ER' benefited from the show's perch at 10 p.m., doesn't think his former network is out to "destroy drama." It's about survival, he tells PopEater, and NBC is simply doing what they think is best for their bottom line.

"That's what a commercial network is supposed to be doing," he says, "that's their business ... they're not a public library."

The wealth of channel options on television these days, Edwards believes, has made it less necessary for a big network like NBC to provide programs that otherwise would be too adult for pre-10 viewing.


http://www.popeater.com/2009/10/21/anthony-edwards-nbc-marathon-motherhood/#

All due respect to Mr. Edwards, but I must disagree with him here. Was he still on ER when Jeff Zucker took over NBC?

Well his boss John Wells disagrees with him. I don't know how putting Leno on 5 days a week is going to help them survive. It won't be long before the affiliates start revolting. NBC can threaten them all they want but if enough bolts NBC is dead.

All due respect to Mr. Edwards, but I must disagree with him here. Was he still on ER when Jeff Zucker took over NBC?im not sure but i dont think he was