Anyone Remember Chef Emeril Lagasse's Failed Sitcom "Emeril"?

[TMC]

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...went on the air primarily because Jeff Zucker, a whiz at being head of NBC/Universal these days, but an absolute failure as their programming executive from 2001 through 2005, thought Legasse had enough "personality" and popularity to front a situation comedy (never mind the fact that Emeril is a better chef than he is an "actor"). Let's face it, Zucker made other terrible programming decisions as well. Remember the other comedies he scheduled- "WATCHING ELLIE", with Julia Louis-Dreyfus? "COUPLING"? "HIDDEN HILLS"? "PRIDE OF THE FAMILY"? "JOEY", the successor to "FRIENDS" that "couldn't miss"??? And "FEAR FACTOR" was scheduled on Zucker's "watch" as well....ugh!

No matter what merits "EMERIL" may have had, it all boiled down to one factor- Emeril himself. And he just didn't have what it took to be a successful sitcom star....

Jeff Zucker’s highs and lows

• December 1991: Named exec producer of slumping “Today.” After bringing in Katie Couric and adding segments like a concert series, “Today” shoots back to No. 1 among morning shows, where it remains.
  
• December 2000: Appointed NBC Entertainment prexy.
  
• February 2001: Convinces the producers of “Friends” to add 10 minutes to February sweeps episodes, creating “supersize” editions.
  
• September 2001: “Emeril” debuts.
  
• October 2001: “Emeril” is pulled.
  
• December 2002: The “Friends” cast agrees to stick around for one more year; Zucker manages to keep the Thursday night lights on — for a little bit. But it’s one of several Hail Mary moves Zucker makes over the years to delay the bleeding.
  
• December 2003: Zucker begins his executive ascent, taking on oversight of news, broadcast and cable at the Peacock.
  
• January 2004: Gives “The Apprentice” the plum Thursday 9 p.m. slot, effectively ending the era of “Must See TV” and ceding ground to rivals on scripted programming.
  
• May 2004: Zucker’s portfolio expands with the completion of NBC’s acquisition of Universal Studios.
  
• September 2004: Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien agree to Zucker’s plan to transition O’Brien to host of “The Tonight Show” in 2009.
  
• May 2005: NBC ends the 2004-05 TV season in fourth place in the adults 18-49 demo, marketing the first time it’s come in last among the Big 4 nets.
  
• December 2005: Named CEO of NBC Universal TV group, setting him up as the successor to NBC Universal CEO Bob Wright .
  
• October 2006: Proclaims the end of scripted programming in NBC’s 8 p.m. slot as part of the “NBC 2.0” budget-cutting plan.
  
• February 2007: Named prexy and CEO of NBC Universal following Wright’s retirement.
  
• May 2007: Hires agent-turned-producer Ben Silverman to head NBC Entertainment, forcing out Kevin Reilly, who relocates to Fox.
  
• January 2008: Proclaims that NBC will cut costs by no longer producing as many pilots in favor of straight-to-series orders.
  
• December 2008: Announces plan to keep Jay Leno at NBC with a nightly 10 p.m. variety show.
  
• September 2009: “The Jay Leno Show” opens big but quickly settles into fourth place.
  
• December 2009: General Electric reaches deal to sell 51% stake in NBC Universal to Comcast Corp.
  
• January 2010: “Jay Leno Show” is axed amid a revolt from NBC affiliate stations over low ratings leading into late newscasts. NBC returns Leno to the 11:35 p.m. time slot, spurring O’Brien’s departure.
  
• September 2010: Zucker announces his departure from NBC.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by TMC

This Looks Terrible: Emeril

What are the biggest mistakes that were made during the production of the NBC sitcom Emeril (2001)?