Awful Reality: Networks Are Doing Better Without Writers - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-13-2008, 12:27 AM

"Wife Swap" and "Supernanny" this week did about the same numbers as "Daisies" and "Practice" earned when they were in originals, with "Supernanny" beating a new-to-NBC episode of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." What's more, the shows cost about one-quarter to one-third as much as their scripted counterparts -- and, as one network partisan noted, they repeat well.

On Mondays, ABC is doing better with newcomer "Dance War" than it did with scripted programming a year ago.

NBC has gotten off to a stronger start this winter with a slew of nonscripted shows. "American Gladiators," "The Biggest Loser" and "The Celebrity Apprentice" are all outperforming NBC's average for scripted shows and has given the Peacock an outside chance to finish in second place for the season.

CBS hasn't unleashed any new reality skeins yet, but the net is praying the first regular season edition of summer hit "Big Brother" can help make up for the lack of scripted originals.

Fox, meanwhile, is about to head into ratings orbit with next week's arrival of "American Idol." Execs there are also confidently predicting big things for new "Jerry Springer"-esque quizzer "Moment of Truth."

With no end in sight for the strike, nets are said to be readying more greenlights for reality shows as well as scripted shows and formats imported from overseas. Announcements on additional strike contingency programs are likely to come later this month, insiders said.

The real question is whether these boffo early numbers for nonscripted shows can be maintained.

In a few months, nets will virtually run out of all original scripted programming, which means reality shows could begin cannibalizing each other -- or that viewers will get sick of all reality, all the time.

But if nets discover they can do well with mostly nonscripted skeds, some execs predict it will lead to fewer hours of scripted shows when the strike is over.

http://www.variety.com/VR1117978850.html

catlover79 · 01-13-2008, 12:30 AM

Just goes to show some people have no taste.

Brian Damage · 01-13-2008, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Just goes to show some people have no taste.

More like MOST people. Lol

catlover79 · 01-13-2008, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

More like MOST people. Lol

Good point.

bingbangbaby · 01-13-2008, 12:38 AM

Yeah but couldn't it only look like they're doing better because that's all that's there? Like for instance, when I have pizza or pasta or chicken in my fridge, that's what I eat, usually until it's gone or until I get some more. But when I'm out of the good stuff then you'll find me eating the week old lunchmeat, cans of spaghettio's and the leftovers like you'd think I loved them-- until I get some more of the good stuff.

So of course the spaghettio's seem to be going better...it's because there's no linguine carbonara, lasagna, and rigatoni around.

JulieSomoski · 01-13-2008, 12:44 AM

This is basically the first step to seeing reality shows dominate the broadcast networks.

Mr. Television · 01-13-2008, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roseanne88-97

This is basically the first step to seeing reality shows dominate the broadcast networks.

Yea I agree. This is what the networks wanted all along anyway. It's less expensive and brings ratings. They might not repeat well but you can always replace one reality show for another.

Ireneparalegal · 01-13-2008, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingbangbaby

Yeah but couldn't it only look like they're doing better because that's all that's there? Like for instance, when I have pizza or pasta or chicken in my fridge, that's what I eat, usually until it's gone or until I get some more. But when I'm out of the good stuff then you'll find me eating the week old lunchmeat, cans of spaghettio's and the leftovers like you'd think I loved them-- until I get some more of the good stuff.

So of course the spaghettio's seem to be going better...it's because there's no linguine carbonara, lasagna, and rigatoni around.

Excellent post.

Mikado · 01-13-2008, 12:54 AM

There is still network TV? i hadnt even noticed!

Brian Damage · 01-13-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingbangbaby

Yeah but couldn't it only look like they're doing better because that's all that's there? Like for instance, when I have pizza or pasta or chicken in my fridge, that's what I eat, usually until it's gone or until I get some more. But when I'm out of the good stuff then you'll find me eating the week old lunchmeat, cans of spaghettio's and the leftovers like you'd think I loved them-- until I get some more of the good stuff.

So of course the spaghettio's seem to be going better...it's because there's no linguine carbonara, lasagna, and rigatoni around.

Good point, but the fact is, with cable and all these other options outside of the networks, ratings shouldn't be as good as they are for these type of shows.

catlover79 · 01-13-2008, 01:06 AM

Thank goodness a lot of my fave classic shows are on DVD - I rarely watch regular TV anymore - and I'm not missing much!!!

MonarC · 01-13-2008, 12:43 PM

I was surprised to see a NEW episode of Ugly Betty last week. There is also gonna be a new one this week. I was like what happened I thought the writers were on strike.

TJL · 01-13-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roseanne88-97

This is basically the first step to seeing reality shows dominate the broadcast networks.

I have been saying this for a few years now; reality TV shows will be the death of scripted programming.

Why? as Walking Tall said, they are cheap to make. No stars, no writers, easier to develop than a sitcom or drama so if a show tanks, you have another one ready to go in no time.

You think FOX cares about the strike when "American Idol" is going to bring in 20 million viewers when it premiers?

I really don't want to think about what TV will be like in say a year if the strike is still going on and the Networks are doing an "all Reality" format.

JulieSomoski · 01-13-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

I have been saying this for a few years now; reality TV shows will be the death of scripted programming.

Why? as Walking Tall said, they are cheap to make. No stars, no writers, easier to develop than a sitcom or drama so if a show tanks, you have another one ready to go in no time.

You think FOX cares about the strike when "American Idol" is going to bring in 20 million viewers when it premiers?

I really don't want to think about what TV will be like in say a year if the strike is still going on and the Networks are doing an "all Reality" format.

American Idol has literally NO competition this year at all. It could just be it's biggest season yet. Everyone knows there's a strike going on, so the first thing they're gonna head to is AI. I wouldn't be surprised to see it take in 30 million viewers each week, especially for the auditions.

If any network went alll-reality, NBC would definitely be first. They've been coming in dead last all fall (either that, or switching on and off with FOX), yet now with this strike, they've brought in all these reality shows, and now they're winning.

clj2 · 01-13-2008, 06:35 PM

Actually, I'm starting to like Supernanny and Wife Swap. Much better than all of those serialized ABC shows (Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives..).

01-13-2008, 12:27 AM	#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	Awful Reality: Networks Are Doing Better Without Writers "Wife Swap" and "Supernanny" this week did about the same numbers as "Daisies" and "Practice" earned when they were in originals, with "Supernanny" beating a new-to-NBC episode of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." What's more, the shows cost about one-quarter to one-third as much as their scripted counterparts -- and, as one network partisan noted, they repeat well. On Mondays, ABC is doing better with newcomer "Dance War" than it did with scripted programming a year ago. NBC has gotten off to a stronger start this winter with a slew of nonscripted shows. "American Gladiators," "The Biggest Loser" and "The Celebrity Apprentice" are all outperforming NBC's average for scripted shows and has given the Peacock an outside chance to finish in second place for the season. CBS hasn't unleashed any new reality skeins yet, but the net is praying the first regular season edition of summer hit "Big Brother" can help make up for the lack of scripted originals. Fox, meanwhile, is about to head into ratings orbit with next week's arrival of "American Idol." Execs there are also confidently predicting big things for new "Jerry Springer"-esque quizzer "Moment of Truth." With no end in sight for the strike, nets are said to be readying more greenlights for reality shows as well as scripted shows and formats imported from overseas. Announcements on additional strike contingency programs are likely to come later this month, insiders said. The real question is whether these boffo early numbers for nonscripted shows can be maintained. In a few months, nets will virtually run out of all original scripted programming, which means reality shows could begin cannibalizing each other -- or that viewers will get sick of all reality, all the time. But if nets discover they can do well with mostly nonscripted skeds, some execs predict it will lead to fewer hours of scripted shows when the strike is over. http://www.variety.com/VR1117978850.html
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01-13-2008, 12:30 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Just goes to show some people have no taste.
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01-13-2008, 12:44 AM	#6
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	This is basically the first step to seeing reality shows dominate the broadcast networks.
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01-13-2008, 12:38 AM	#5
bingbangbaby I see you!! Senior Member Join Date: Jul 15, 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,070	Yeah but couldn't it only look like they're doing better because that's all that's there? Like for instance, when I have pizza or pasta or chicken in my fridge, that's what I eat, usually until it's gone or until I get some more. But when I'm out of the good stuff then you'll find me eating the week old lunchmeat, cans of spaghettio's and the leftovers like you'd think I loved them-- until I get some more of the good stuff. So of course the spaghettio's seem to be going better...it's because there's no linguine carbonara, lasagna, and rigatoni around.

01-13-2008, 12:54 AM	#9
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	There is still network TV? i hadnt even noticed!

01-13-2008, 01:06 AM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Thank goodness a lot of my fave classic shows are on DVD - I rarely watch regular TV anymore - and I'm not missing much!!!

01-13-2008, 12:43 PM	#12
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	I was surprised to see a NEW episode of Ugly Betty last week. There is also gonna be a new one this week. I was like what happened I thought the writers were on strike.

01-13-2008, 06:35 PM	#15
clj2 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,501	Actually, I'm starting to like Supernanny and Wife Swap. Much better than all of those serialized ABC shows (Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives..).