Can NBC be fixed?

[AKA]

Originally Posted by James

Here's my advice:

START TAKING THE PARENTS TELEVISION COUNCIL SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know, James. I've said some pretty disparaging things about the PTC in the past, but I'm now a lot more conservative than I used to be on social issues. That said, I still think the PTC is unnecessary. Isn't it parents' job, and not that of the network, to police what their children watch?

I'm expecting my first kid in July. Maybe I'll feel different when he's old enough to watch TV. But my wife and I already have a pretty strict idea of what we will and won't let our kids watch.

[yankeesrj12]

Originally Posted by James

Here's my advice:

START TAKING THE PARENTS TELEVISION COUNCIL SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Haha, good one!

The day a network listens to this joke group is the day pigs fly.

[TV Knowledge Fan]

...a few good suggestions on how NBC might be "fixed" (or, at least improved immediately):

1) Cut "THE BIGGEST LOSER" to one hour.

Every week the network is wasting its time trying to "cover" two hours on Tuesdays with this bloated {no pun intended} reality competition, they're losing a golden opportunity to fill one of those hours with a decent drama or two half-hour comedies, and build upon the evening's schedule, from "LOSER" to "PARENTHOOD".

2) In fact, declare a moratorium on all "reality shows", and develop more "scripted" series.

3) Restore "DATELINE NBC" to its original magazine format, and eliminate the "true crime" hours that have virtually strangled it these days.

4) Banish Dick Wolf from producing any further "LAW & ORDER" sequels.

5) Stop trying to produce virtually all of the network's shows "in-house", and allow more independent producers and studios to furnish programs again.

Ever since the broadcast networks were allowed to produce and own their own series since the mid-'90s [for potential syndication, cable, and DVD profits], most TV schedules, including NBC's, look too "familiar"; nothing but "the same old" crime dramas and sitcoms on the networks, allowing "innovative" series to flourish on cable. This is why most viewers are slowly deserting network television in droves. IF NBC could produce one or two "different" series that isn't just a "cookie-cutter" version of one of their other programs, then the "breakthroughs" will occur...and ratings will increase.

6) Tell Jay Leno to leave "THE TONIGHT SHOW", once and for all.

I realize Jay is now responsible for at least 20% of the network's profits (as Johnny Carson was in 1979, around the time Fred Silverman was appointed NBC's president, trying to "save" the network's overall schedule and profit margin [they were #3 back then], failing miserably enough to resign in 1981), but let's face it: "familiarity breeds contempt". And Jay is as contemptible in his current format as ever: how many times can you sit through "Jay-Walking", or his inane and idiotic "field reporters on assignment" before you holler, "ENOUGH!!!!"? And the sad truth is, Jay is funnier in person in his night club and concert engagements than he is on his own show! You're being cheated!!!!! And he's supposed to be the face of "NBC Late Night"???
A fire hydrant would make a better late night host than Leno, so use that!!! Or someone that can actually attract the kind of audience the network wants for its "big ticket" advertisers....

7) You'd like to drag the Parents Television Council into programming decisions, James? Okay, call 'em on it: ask them directly, "What kind of series would YOU like to see on NBC next fall?". If they have constructive ideas, let them work with the network to create at least one series along their guidelines, give it a chance, and see what happens...

8) Stop scheduling "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" retrospectives in prime-time for a while, and allow Lorne Michaels to produce a prime-time series instead.

9) Bring back "----DAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES"- any day, so long as there's a good feature film to watch for two hours....and some new made-for-TV movies as well.

10) Schedule more sitcoms that don't just appeal to "twentysomethings" and jaded, cynical viewers [how many variations of "THE OFFICE" and "30 ROCK" can one stand??]. How about a good "old fashioned" family comedy....or two? Or more?


These are but a few suggestions. You may have other ideas.

[icecream]

I really have to disagree on Jay Leno. While not perfect, he is easily my favorite talk show host. Conan the barbarian is the one who was never funny.

[catlover79]

What NBC really needs is someone with vision, another Brandon Tartikoff. His contributions to NBC (and TV in general) can never be underestimated.

[70s show watcher]

Originally Posted by catlover79

What NBC really needs is someone with vision, another Brandon Tartikoff. His contributions to NBC (and TV in general) can never be underestimated.

i agree but unfourtunley i dont think there will ever be another brandon tartikoff alought warren littlefeild turned out to be quite good after a rough start and unlike some other nbc entertaiinment heads jeff zucker cough cough littlefeild was man enough to admit when he screwed up

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...a few good suggestions on how NBC might be "fixed" (or, at least improved immediately):

1) Cut "THE BIGGEST LOSER" to one hour.

Every week the network is wasting its time trying to "cover" two hours on Tuesdays with this bloated {no pun intended} reality competition, they're losing a golden opportunity to fill one of those hours with a decent drama or two half-hour comedies, and build upon the evening's schedule, from "LOSER" to "PARENTHOOD".

2) In fact, declare a moratorium on all "reality shows", and develop more "scripted" series.

3) Restore "DATELINE NBC" to its original magazine format, and eliminate the "true crime" hours that have virtually strangled it these days.

4) Banish Dick Wolf from producing any further "LAW & ORDER" sequels.

5) Stop trying to produce virtually all of the network's shows "in-house", and allow more independent producers and studios to furnish programs again.

Ever since the broadcast networks were allowed to produce and own their own series since the mid-'90s [for potential syndication, cable, and DVD profits], most TV schedules, including NBC's, look too "familiar"; nothing but "the same old" crime dramas and sitcoms on the networks, allowing "innovative" series to flourish on cable. This is why most viewers are slowly deserting network television in droves. IF NBC could produce one or two "different" series that isn't just a "cookie-cutter" version of one of their other programs, then the "breakthroughs" will occur...and ratings will increase.

6) Tell Jay Leno to leave "THE TONIGHT SHOW", once and for all.

I realize Jay is now responsible for at least 20% of the network's profits (as Johnny Carson was in 1979, around the time Fred Silverman was appointed NBC's president, trying to "save" the network's overall schedule and profit margin [they were #3 back then], failing miserably enough to resign in 1981), but let's face it: "familiarity breeds contempt". And Jay is as contemptible in his current format as ever: how many times can you sit through "Jay-Walking", or his inane and idiotic "field reporters on assignment" before you holler, "ENOUGH!!!!"? And the sad truth is, Jay is funnier in person in his night club and concert engagements than he is on his own show! You're being cheated!!!!! And he's supposed to be the face of "NBC Late Night"???
A fire hydrant would make a better late night host than Leno, so use that!!! Or someone that can actually attract the kind of audience the network wants for its "big ticket" advertisers....

7) You'd like to drag the Parents Television Council into programming decisions, James? Okay, call 'em on it: ask them directly, "What kind of series would YOU like to see on NBC next fall?". If they have constructive ideas, let them work with the network to create at least one series along their guidelines, give it a chance, and see what happens...

8) Stop scheduling "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" retrospectives in prime-time for a while, and allow Lorne Michaels to produce a prime-time series instead.

9) Bring back "----DAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES"- any day, so long as there's a good feature film to watch for two hours....and some new made-for-TV movies as well.

10) Schedule more sitcoms that don't just appeal to "twentysomethings" and jaded, cynical viewers [how many variations of "THE OFFICE" and "30 ROCK" can one stand??]. How about a good "old fashioned" family comedy....or two? Or more?


These are but a few suggestions. You may have other ideas.

Those are great suggestions. NBC is probably too dumb to do them though.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Those are great suggestions. NBC is probably too dumb to do them though.

That's basically it in a nutshell!!!