Can Joey be saved? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

spunkygirl · 01-20-2005, 03:45 PM

from the tvguide insider:

http://www.tvguide.com/news/insider/050120b.asp

If Joey is to get by, he's gonna need a little help from his Friends. Almost six months after Matt LeBlanc's NBC sitcom premiered to good reviews and great ratings, viewers are vanishing, and they're taking the critics with them. In other words, the show had better get a lot better — fast — or it'll quickly join AfterM*A*S*H in spin-off heaven.

"It's not about anything more than Joey moving to Los Angeles, living in an apartment and interacting with his sister and nephew," groans Ed Martin, editor of the TV-biz newsletter "Jack Myers Report." Adds an industry insider: "If it's not sinking, it's certainly floundering."

Although NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly notes that Joey is the season's No. 1 new comedy, he concedes, "There's work to be done." Efforts are under way to surround Chandler's former roommate with more interesting, er, pals. "The show is being opened up," Reilly says, citing Lucy Liu's recent guest stint as the producer of "Deep Powder," the prime-time soap Joey stars on. "There will also be a cast member or two added," and story lines will span multiple episodes.

Executive producer Kevin Bright says the series will refocus on "Joey being a fish out of water in L.A." An upcoming episode finds the lovable dimwit stuck in traffic en route to his first Tonight Show appearance. Backstage drama at "Deep Powder" will also come to the fore.

And if all else fails, Joey's old buddies may — all together now — be there for him. A cameo by, say, Courteney Cox or Matthew Perry "isn't out of the question," Reilly teases. But Bright wants to get Joey in fighting shape first. "I don't see how [a guest spot] would be helpful," he says, "except to get people to tune in for one week." At this point, that might not be such a bad idea.

slackermonkey · 01-20-2005, 04:53 PM

I'll just copy/paste my reply at Friends Boards:

Thank God they're aware of how mediocre the show has been so far. Opening up the show, especially with Friends-style multi-episode story arcs, sounds like a step in the right direction. I'm not so sure about more characters though. Shouldn't they first work on developing the ones they already have?

By the way, I wouldn't say the ratings are "disappointing" or "slipping." It's not doing as well as it should be, but based on how well NBC's other shows are doing, especially Will & Grace, it's doing alright for itself.

Brian Damage · 01-20-2005, 11:48 PM

First of all, it is nice to see Reilly give the show a vote of confidence. Second of all, I don't have a problem with the show adding a couple of characters. As long as they carefully choose who they are going to be. To be honest, I don't know why critics are complaining about the early episodes with Joey interracting with the other characters in his apartment. Joey was new in town with no job and was just getting reaquainted with his family. Were they the strongest episodes? No, but they still were serviceable. I absolutely agree with the longer story arcs. That in my opinion, is what made Friends such a success. The stories didn't allow the viewer to turn away and miss an episode.

slackermonkey · 01-20-2005, 11:57 PM

No story arcs was one of the major disappointments for me when the show first started. I'm really, really glad they're going in that direction again. I don't mind the occasional self-contained episode - in fact, they make for a nice break in between arcs and such - but stories stretching over several episodes provides a hook that hopefully will land a few more viewers.

Brian Damage · 01-21-2005, 12:02 AM

I agree that is why I like this whole Deep Powder arc so much.

slackermonkey · 01-21-2005, 12:12 AM

I do too, to an extent. I prefer a story arc if it's broken up by other stories occasionally. With the past six episodes all being related to Joey's new role on Deep Powder, I'm a little burned out on that story and want to see more stories about him and his family and adjusting to L.A.

Brian Damage · 01-21-2005, 12:43 AM

I think tonite's episode qualifies for that.

slackermonkey · 01-21-2005, 12:57 AM

True. That's why I'm looking forward to the Valentines episode.

slackermonkey · 01-21-2005, 02:40 AM

Liu's was just a guest stint. I doubt they'll make her a regular.

Interestingly enough, it's looking like Bobbie's starting to be in every episode now. Usually, she'd appear for 1 or 2 of every 3 episodes, but by Feb 3, she'll have been in the past four consecutive episodes.

Brian Damage · 01-22-2005, 11:17 AM

I assume she is one of two people that have been added as a regular cast member.

slackermonkey · 01-22-2005, 06:46 PM

She's already a regular cast member. Her name has been in the credits all season long.

Brian Damage · 01-23-2005, 06:42 PM

I guess, but she hasn't been in every episode. I guess what I'm trying to say is that she'll have a more prominent role on the show.

slackermonkey · 01-23-2005, 07:45 PM

Apparently, when NBC ordered the first thirteen episodes, she was contracted to do the pilot and six additional episodes. Once the network ordered the back 11 episodes, she was contracted to join the show as a full-time cast member.

Brian Damage · 01-23-2005, 07:53 PM

I see. Plus, the critics seem to love her the most out of the whole show. I wouldn't be surprised if NBC offered her her own sitcom.

slackermonkey · 01-23-2005, 07:59 PM

That's actually how she got the job on Joey.

She was set up at NBC to develop her own sitcom, and plans were stalling. The Joey producers, meanwhile, had a small role for Joey's agent in the pilot (which was actually intended to be a one-shot appearance; Joey would make references to her in subsequent episodes) and loved her work, so she was offered the role after plans for her sitcom fell through. They enjoyed having her so much that they offered her a recurring regular role on the show, with the option to become a full-time regular later in the series.

01-20-2005, 03:45 PM	#1
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	Can Joey be saved? from the tvguide insider: http://www.tvguide.com/news/insider/050120b.asp If Joey is to get by, he's gonna need a little help from his Friends. Almost six months after Matt LeBlanc's NBC sitcom premiered to good reviews and great ratings, viewers are vanishing, and they're taking the critics with them. In other words, the show had better get a lot better — fast — or it'll quickly join AfterMAS*H in spin-off heaven. "It's not about anything more than Joey moving to Los Angeles, living in an apartment and interacting with his sister and nephew," groans Ed Martin, editor of the TV-biz newsletter "Jack Myers Report." Adds an industry insider: "If it's not sinking, it's certainly floundering." Although NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly notes that Joey is the season's No. 1 new comedy, he concedes, "There's work to be done." Efforts are under way to surround Chandler's former roommate with more interesting, er, pals. "The show is being opened up," Reilly says, citing Lucy Liu's recent guest stint as the producer of "Deep Powder," the prime-time soap Joey stars on. "There will also be a cast member or two added," and story lines will span multiple episodes. Executive producer Kevin Bright says the series will refocus on "Joey being a fish out of water in L.A." An upcoming episode finds the lovable dimwit stuck in traffic en route to his first Tonight Show appearance. Backstage drama at "Deep Powder" will also come to the fore. And if all else fails, Joey's old buddies may — all together now — be there for him. A cameo by, say, Courteney Cox or Matthew Perry "isn't out of the question," Reilly teases. But Bright wants to get Joey in fighting shape first. "I don't see how [a guest spot] would be helpful," he says, "except to get people to tune in for one week." At this point, that might not be such a bad idea.

01-20-2005, 04:53 PM	#2
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	I'll just copy/paste my reply at Friends Boards: Thank God they're aware of how mediocre the show has been so far. Opening up the show, especially with Friends-style multi-episode story arcs, sounds like a step in the right direction. I'm not so sure about more characters though. Shouldn't they first work on developing the ones they already have? By the way, I wouldn't say the ratings are "disappointing" or "slipping." It's not doing as well as it should be, but based on how well NBC's other shows are doing, especially Will & Grace, it's doing alright for itself.
	__________________ ...Derek TV on DVD Checklist: 05/09 - Scrubs: The Complete Third Season 05/30 - Joey: The Complete First Season 06/13 - Cheers: The Complete Eighth Season 06/13 - Frasier: The Complete Eighth Season 06/20 - Justice League: Season 2 07/25 - Animaniacs: Volume 1 10/?? - Scrubs: The Complete Fourth Season 12/06 - Animaniacs: Volume 2

01-20-2005, 11:48 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	First of all, it is nice to see Reilly give the show a vote of confidence. Second of all, I don't have a problem with the show adding a couple of characters. As long as they carefully choose who they are going to be. To be honest, I don't know why critics are complaining about the early episodes with Joey interracting with the other characters in his apartment. Joey was new in town with no job and was just getting reaquainted with his family. Were they the strongest episodes? No, but they still were serviceable. I absolutely agree with the longer story arcs. That in my opinion, is what made Friends such a success. The stories didn't allow the viewer to turn away and miss an episode.

01-20-2005, 11:57 PM	#4
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	No story arcs was one of the major disappointments for me when the show first started. I'm really, really glad they're going in that direction again. I don't mind the occasional self-contained episode - in fact, they make for a nice break in between arcs and such - but stories stretching over several episodes provides a hook that hopefully will land a few more viewers.

01-21-2005, 12:02 AM	#5
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I agree that is why I like this whole Deep Powder arc so much.

01-21-2005, 12:12 AM	#6
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	I do too, to an extent. I prefer a story arc if it's broken up by other stories occasionally. With the past six episodes all being related to Joey's new role on Deep Powder, I'm a little burned out on that story and want to see more stories about him and his family and adjusting to L.A.

01-21-2005, 12:43 AM	#7
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I think tonite's episode qualifies for that.

01-21-2005, 12:57 AM	#8
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	True. That's why I'm looking forward to the Valentines episode.

01-21-2005, 02:40 AM	#9
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	Liu's was just a guest stint. I doubt they'll make her a regular. Interestingly enough, it's looking like Bobbie's starting to be in every episode now. Usually, she'd appear for 1 or 2 of every 3 episodes, but by Feb 3, she'll have been in the past four consecutive episodes.

01-22-2005, 11:17 AM	#10
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I assume she is one of two people that have been added as a regular cast member.

01-22-2005, 06:46 PM	#11
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	She's already a regular cast member. Her name has been in the credits all season long.

01-23-2005, 06:42 PM	#12
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I guess, but she hasn't been in every episode. I guess what I'm trying to say is that she'll have a more prominent role on the show.

01-23-2005, 07:45 PM	#13
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	Apparently, when NBC ordered the first thirteen episodes, she was contracted to do the pilot and six additional episodes. Once the network ordered the back 11 episodes, she was contracted to join the show as a full-time cast member.

01-23-2005, 07:53 PM	#14
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I see. Plus, the critics seem to love her the most out of the whole show. I wouldn't be surprised if NBC offered her her own sitcom.

01-23-2005, 07:59 PM	#15
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	That's actually how she got the job on Joey. She was set up at NBC to develop her own sitcom, and plans were stalling. The Joey producers, meanwhile, had a small role for Joey's agent in the pilot (which was actually intended to be a one-shot appearance; Joey would make references to her in subsequent episodes) and loved her work, so she was offered the role after plans for her sitcom fell through. They enjoyed having her so much that they offered her a recurring regular role on the show, with the option to become a full-time regular later in the series.