NBC sticking with 'Joey' despite slide in ratings - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-21-2005, 11:37 PM

NBC sticking with 'Joey' despite slide in ratings

DAVID BAUDER

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - NBC is sticking with "Joey" - and several other new series - despite modest ratings.

"We knew we were going to be in for a tough year this year in the post-`Friends' era," Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal Television Group president, said Friday. "It turned out to be tougher than we expected."

NBC is third behind CBS and resurgent ABC among viewers aged 18 to 49. It may also be tough to hold off fourth-place Fox, which has the immensely popular "American Idol" back and will get huge ratings with the Super Bowl.

NBC hoped Matt LeBlanc's "Friends" spinoff "Joey" would hold 70 percent of the old show's audience on Thursday nights. Instead, it has kept only 60 percent and the network acknowledged creative problems with the show. Citing the charismatic star and cast chemistry, NBC said it will almost certainly be back next year.

Four other new NBC shows that have been modest successes - "Medium," "Committed," "The Biggest Loser" and "Medical Investigation" - will also likely be back next season, Zucker said.

"Quite frankly, among the networks, only ABC has had a better development season," Zucker said.

Still, Zucker declined to predict whether NBC would be able to retain its longtime lead in a more important measurement: how much money the networks rake in each spring in advertising commitments for the fall season.

"It's never been so close," Zucker said. "There's never been so much parity between the four networks."

The struggling network is placing its bets on a fourth "Law & Order" spinoff, the boxing series "The Contender" and a remake of the British hit "The Office," which will all premiere in March, NBC's top executives said Friday.

But they all face obstacles:

_ "Law & Order: Trial By Jury" lost popular cast member Jerry Orbach to cancer recently, although NBC said he had only a minor role in the show.

_ NBC won a bidding war for the Mark Burnett-produced series "The Contender," but has scheduled it opposite "American Idol" and is worried about the precedent set by a failed boxing series on Fox last fall.

_ Last year NBC tried to remake another British series, "Coupling," and failed miserably. Network entertainment President Kevin Reilly promised "The Office" would be nothing like that.

Despite ratings erosion, Zucker also said it was likely "The West Wing" would return for another year.

It's setting up an election between characters played by Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits, with the inauguration of a new "president" replacing Martin Sheen a year from now.

slackermonkey · 01-22-2005, 02:28 AM

Told ya!

Brian Damage · 01-22-2005, 11:14 AM

That is great news. Unless there is a major slide, the show will be renewed. I'm also glad to see Committed get a chance as well.

TJL · 01-22-2005, 11:29 AM

NBC would be foolish to can the show. They are really hurting in the comedy department, so they should keep the few good sitcoms they have.

Pavan · 01-22-2005, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I'm also glad to see Committed get a chance as well.

For now ... I don't see Committed lasting at all. In fact, it'll be gone by March 22 anyway when NBC brings on The Office. I wouldn't be surprised if NBC pulled it for February sweeps after that terrible performance on Tuesday. A distant 4th place behind American Idol, Amazing Race and Rodney. Even though American Idol won't air in the 9pm hour this Tuesday, Committed will still likely be 4th place behind Amazing Race, Rodney and House.

bananasplit · 01-22-2005, 04:37 PM

I'm glad NBC is sticking with Joey.

slackermonkey · 01-22-2005, 08:21 PM

The only thing I still don't understand is how the article cites a slide in ratings, when it's been getting its highest recent ratings for the past three weeks.

Pavan · 01-22-2005, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackermonkey

The only thing I still don't understand is how the article cites a slide in ratings, when it's been getting its highest recent ratings for the past three weeks.

While that is true, it still should be scoring much higher against Wickedly Perfect. Come Feb. 16, when Survivor returns, Joey will be back to numbers where it was against Survivor.

Brian Damage · 01-23-2005, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

While that is true, it still should be scoring much higher against Wickedly Perfect. Come Feb. 16, when Survivor returns, Joey will be back to numbers where it was against Survivor.

Maybe, maybe not.

01-21-2005, 11:37 PM	#1
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	NBC sticking with 'Joey' despite slide in ratings NBC sticking with 'Joey' despite slide in ratings DAVID BAUDER Associated Press LOS ANGELES - NBC is sticking with "Joey" - and several other new series - despite modest ratings. "We knew we were going to be in for a tough year this year in the post-`Friends' era," Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal Television Group president, said Friday. "It turned out to be tougher than we expected." NBC is third behind CBS and resurgent ABC among viewers aged 18 to 49. It may also be tough to hold off fourth-place Fox, which has the immensely popular "American Idol" back and will get huge ratings with the Super Bowl. NBC hoped Matt LeBlanc's "Friends" spinoff "Joey" would hold 70 percent of the old show's audience on Thursday nights. Instead, it has kept only 60 percent and the network acknowledged creative problems with the show. Citing the charismatic star and cast chemistry, NBC said it will almost certainly be back next year. Four other new NBC shows that have been modest successes - "Medium," "Committed," "The Biggest Loser" and "Medical Investigation" - will also likely be back next season, Zucker said. "Quite frankly, among the networks, only ABC has had a better development season," Zucker said. Still, Zucker declined to predict whether NBC would be able to retain its longtime lead in a more important measurement: how much money the networks rake in each spring in advertising commitments for the fall season. "It's never been so close," Zucker said. "There's never been so much parity between the four networks." The struggling network is placing its bets on a fourth "Law & Order" spinoff, the boxing series "The Contender" and a remake of the British hit "The Office," which will all premiere in March, NBC's top executives said Friday. But they all face obstacles: _ "Law & Order: Trial By Jury" lost popular cast member Jerry Orbach to cancer recently, although NBC said he had only a minor role in the show. _ NBC won a bidding war for the Mark Burnett-produced series "The Contender," but has scheduled it opposite "American Idol" and is worried about the precedent set by a failed boxing series on Fox last fall. _ Last year NBC tried to remake another British series, "Coupling," and failed miserably. Network entertainment President Kevin Reilly promised "The Office" would be nothing like that. Despite ratings erosion, Zucker also said it was likely "The West Wing" would return for another year. It's setting up an election between characters played by Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits, with the inauguration of a new "president" replacing Martin Sheen a year from now.

01-22-2005, 02:28 AM	#2
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	Told ya!
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01-22-2005, 11:29 AM	#4
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	NBC would be foolish to can the show. They are really hurting in the comedy department, so they should keep the few good sitcoms they have.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

01-22-2005, 04:37 PM	#6
bananasplit 'Whatsoever' Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 04, 2003 Location: Chi-Town Posts: 786	I'm glad NBC is sticking with Joey.
	__________________ She's a rebel She's a saint She's salt of the earth And she's dangerous "People who are very beautiful make up their own laws."

01-22-2005, 11:14 AM	#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	That is great news. Unless there is a major slide, the show will be renewed. I'm also glad to see Committed get a chance as well.

01-22-2005, 08:21 PM	#7
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	The only thing I still don't understand is how the article cites a slide in ratings, when it's been getting its highest recent ratings for the past three weeks.