Article: Making Fall '05 better - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vashti1999 · 05-04-2005, 09:44 AM

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Making Fall '05 better by David Bianculli

Wednesday, May 4th, 2005

In the next two weeks, the broadcast networks have to make their final decisions on which new shows to add to their schedule - and which old ones to renew or reject.
Of the familiar shows, some are popular series guaranteed to return or already picked up (ABC's "Desperate Housewives"), some are instant losers guaranteed to remain in oblivion (NBC's "LAX") - and some are on the fence, not knowing at this point whether they'll be given a new lease on life.

Now seems the perfect time to champion some borderline shows, and to condemn others.

I've compiled a very subjective, passionate list of five shows I'd like to see again next season - and five shows I wouldn't.

In both cases, certain network renewals have beaten me to the punch. I'd plead aggressively in favor of renewing "Scrubs," a comedy that makes me laugh out loud every time I see it, but there's no need; producer Bill Lawrence's contract with NBC already covers next season.

Similarly, I'd spend time arguing against another year for "Will & Grace," but NBC just renewed it yesterday.

In alphabetical order, here are my picks for shows deserving of reprieves - and execution.

Save these shows

"Arrested Development," Fox. Its Emmy alone should buy it another year; its performances should buy it three.

"Bernie Mac," Fox. It's a singular comedy voice, a howlingly funny show and criminally overlooked and underused by Fox this season.

"Eyes," ABC. Timothy Daly has found the best role of his career, and every episode to date, while being breezily entertaining, has delivered at least one dramatic jolt.

"Jack & Bobby," WB. On a network lacking in maturity and uniqueness, this drama boasts both - as well as a fabulous portrayal by Christine Lahti.

"Joan of Arcadia," CBS. I'm not sure where this good vs. evil cliff-hanger thing is headed - but this touching and often inspirational show has earned the right to get there.

Dump these shows

"Blind Justice," ABC. David Letterman's spoof of the series said it all. Ron Eldard's acting isn't the problem; the problem is the concept.

"8 Simple Rules," ABC. There's no longer any reason for this show to exist. The characters have moved on after John Ritter's death; so should ABC.

"Life on a Stick," Fox. So amazingly unfunny, it should be called a sitdram.

"The Office," NBC. I'd tell NBC it can do better than this, but I'm not so sure it can. Even so, it's time to downsize.

"The Will," CBS. I know it's never, ever coming back - but with this funereally distasteful show, it seems only appropriate to dance on its grave.

Brent88 · 05-04-2005, 10:54 AM

I agree with all of that except 8 Simple Rules should stay. Rodney and LTP are likely gone though and I don't think ABC will cancel more than 2 sitcoms...

spunkygirl · 05-04-2005, 11:29 AM

Yeah it bugs me that people say the show can't exist without John Ritter, I mean he will always be amazing, but even I believe he would have wanted the show to go on without him

barwars · 05-04-2005, 01:30 PM

My 5 that should be saved....
Arrested Development
The Bernie Mac Show
Less The Perfect
Eyes
and 8 Simple Rules

My 5 that should be cancelled....
American Idol
Life On A Stick
The Simple Life
Blind Justice
and Listen Up

tvfan0101 · 05-04-2005, 02:39 PM

No amount of cancelling or renewing shows is going to make fall 2005 any better. Better writing will, though.

Although, keeping Arrested Development on the air certainly will not hurt.

rodwayne · 05-04-2005, 03:58 PM

Some shows that should be cancel but are comming back

Malcolm In The Middle:Why must we go through one more year of this farce?!?
That's 70 Show:Should be in the 80's by now!!!

When will they ever learn?!?

vashti1999 · 05-04-2005, 03:59 PM

JOAN
OF
ARCADIA

dawsongirl · 05-04-2005, 04:36 PM

Yay!! Listen to this ABC...Save EYES!!! Give it time to find an audience.

I however don't agree that 8SR should be canned. It's better than a lot of shows that are on.

Mr. Television · 05-04-2005, 04:49 PM

Save 8 Simple Rules And Bernie Mac

Mr. Monitor · 05-04-2005, 05:12 PM

SAVE BERNIE MAC INDEED!!!

Caffeine King · 05-04-2005, 05:55 PM

Save Bernie Mac and Eyes.

Cancel the rest of the shows on the chopping block.

L&OFan4Eva · 05-04-2005, 06:46 PM

Save AD, Eyes, and LTP. Oh, and Bernie Mac. And Jack and Bobby. Hell, all of 'em but Blind Justice.

tvfan0101 · 05-04-2005, 07:09 PM

Am I the only one who enjoys Blind Justice?

Mr. Television · 05-04-2005, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvobscurities

Am I the only one who enjoys Blind Justice?

No I like it too.

TJL · 05-04-2005, 07:57 PM

I think David Bianculli is the best TV critic I have ever read, and I love his work.
As much as I hate to admit it, I do agree with him on "The Office." I really do like the show, but NBC could do better, so I think the show will quietly go away.

05-04-2005, 09:44 AM	#1
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Article: Making Fall '05 better New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com Making Fall '05 better by David Bianculli Wednesday, May 4th, 2005 In the next two weeks, the broadcast networks have to make their final decisions on which new shows to add to their schedule - and which old ones to renew or reject. Of the familiar shows, some are popular series guaranteed to return or already picked up (ABC's "Desperate Housewives"), some are instant losers guaranteed to remain in oblivion (NBC's "LAX") - and some are on the fence, not knowing at this point whether they'll be given a new lease on life. Now seems the perfect time to champion some borderline shows, and to condemn others. I've compiled a very subjective, passionate list of five shows I'd like to see again next season - and five shows I wouldn't. In both cases, certain network renewals have beaten me to the punch. I'd plead aggressively in favor of renewing "Scrubs," a comedy that makes me laugh out loud every time I see it, but there's no need; producer Bill Lawrence's contract with NBC already covers next season. Similarly, I'd spend time arguing against another year for "Will & Grace," but NBC just renewed it yesterday. In alphabetical order, here are my picks for shows deserving of reprieves - and execution. Save these shows "Arrested Development," Fox. Its Emmy alone should buy it another year; its performances should buy it three. "Bernie Mac," Fox. It's a singular comedy voice, a howlingly funny show and criminally overlooked and underused by Fox this season. "Eyes," ABC. Timothy Daly has found the best role of his career, and every episode to date, while being breezily entertaining, has delivered at least one dramatic jolt. "Jack & Bobby," WB. On a network lacking in maturity and uniqueness, this drama boasts both - as well as a fabulous portrayal by Christine Lahti. "Joan of Arcadia," CBS. I'm not sure where this good vs. evil cliff-hanger thing is headed - but this touching and often inspirational show has earned the right to get there. Dump these shows "Blind Justice," ABC. David Letterman's spoof of the series said it all. Ron Eldard's acting isn't the problem; the problem is the concept. "8 Simple Rules," ABC. There's no longer any reason for this show to exist. The characters have moved on after John Ritter's death; so should ABC. "Life on a Stick," Fox. So amazingly unfunny, it should be called a sitdram. "The Office," NBC. I'd tell NBC it can do better than this, but I'm not so sure it can. Even so, it's time to downsize. "The Will," CBS. I know it's never, ever coming back - but with this funereally distasteful show, it seems only appropriate to dance on its grave.
	__________________ .

05-04-2005, 10:54 AM	#2
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	I agree with all of that except 8 Simple Rules should stay. Rodney and LTP are likely gone though and I don't think ABC will cancel more than 2 sitcoms...
	__________________ Brent

05-04-2005, 03:58 PM	#6
rodwayne Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 27, 2002 Posts: 367	Some shows that should be cancel but are comming back Malcolm In The Middle:Why must we go through one more year of this farce?!? That's 70 Show:Should be in the 80's by now!!! When will they ever learn?!?

05-04-2005, 03:59 PM	#7
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Keep JOAN OF ARCADIA

05-04-2005, 04:49 PM	#9
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Save 8 Simple Rules And Bernie Mac
	__________________ Sonny

05-04-2005, 11:29 AM	#3
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	Yeah it bugs me that people say the show can't exist without John Ritter, I mean he will always be amazing, but even I believe he would have wanted the show to go on without him

05-04-2005, 01:30 PM	#4
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	My 5 that should be saved.... Arrested Development The Bernie Mac Show Less The Perfect Eyes and 8 Simple Rules My 5 that should be cancelled.... American Idol Life On A Stick The Simple Life Blind Justice and Listen Up

05-04-2005, 02:39 PM	#5
tvfan0101 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 29, 2003 Posts: 961	No amount of cancelling or renewing shows is going to make fall 2005 any better. Better writing will, though. Although, keeping Arrested Development on the air certainly will not hurt.

05-04-2005, 04:36 PM	#8
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Yay!! Listen to this ABC...Save EYES!!! Give it time to find an audience. I however don't agree that 8SR should be canned. It's better than a lot of shows that are on.

05-04-2005, 05:12 PM	#10
Mr. Monitor Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 27, 2004 Posts: 402	SAVE BERNIE MAC INDEED!!!

05-04-2005, 05:55 PM	#11
Caffeine King I Love Rayanne Graff Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 01, 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 622	Save Bernie Mac and Eyes. Cancel the rest of the shows on the chopping block.
	__________________ Help Get All That Out Onto DVD! Help Get Wonder Showzen Out Onto DVD! ------- HELP SAVE ABC's "EYES" FROM CANCELLATION! Help Get Eyes Out Onto DVD! Help Save Eyes! Sign The Petition! Help Save Eyes!

05-04-2005, 06:46 PM	#12
L&OFan4Eva Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 02, 2005 Posts: 477	Save AD, Eyes, and LTP. Oh, and Bernie Mac. And Jack and Bobby. Hell, all of 'em but Blind Justice.

05-04-2005, 07:09 PM	#13
tvfan0101 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 29, 2003 Posts: 961	Am I the only one who enjoys Blind Justice?

05-04-2005, 07:57 PM	#15
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I think David Bianculli is the best TV critic I have ever read, and I love his work. As much as I hate to admit it, I do agree with him on "The Office." I really do like the show, but NBC could do better, so I think the show will quietly go away.
	__________________ "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