George Lopez Continues to Shine on Nick at Nite - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Pavan · 12-15-2008, 11:57 AM

Nick at Nite Can’t Get Enough George Lopez
Cable Net Wants to Expand on Success of Family Sitcom

With comedy “George Lopez” powering Nick at Nite to the top spot in the ratings among adults 18 to 49 for 2008, the network is reaching out to the comedian to team on more projects.

“We’re talking to George Lopez. He’s been a great partner to us and we hope to do more work with him in the future,” said Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group.

Since coming to Nick at Nite at 10 p.m., “Lopez” has improved ratings in its time period by 50% from a year ago.

“‘George Lopez’ is the epitome of the modern family in many ways,” Ms. Zarghami said. “It’s a modern couple working hard, two modern kids who talk to them the way modern kids talk to parents, and it was a great show that got seen by very few people when it was on the [broadcast] network.”

Ms. Zarghami stopped short of saying Nick at Nite might make more episodes of the sitcom with Mr. Lopez, but she said we should see him hosting or doing specials.

“Every time he’s on the air, he gets great response,” she said.

Ms. Zarghami is banking on family viewing, which she says has shown signs of making a comeback. To that end, Nick at Nite is adding more family-oriented sitcoms to its lineup next year, including Chris Rock’s “Everybody Hates Chris” and “The Nanny,” starring Fran Drescher, who may run for Hillary Clinton’s seat in the U.S. Senate.

Nick at Nite shares a cable channel with Nickelodeon and increasingly is sharing an audience. Nick at Nite this year averaged 656,000 adult viewers 18 to 49, up 20% from last year. That’s important because while Nickelodeon remains the top kids network, the kids business is tough and evening programming generates as much as 75% of the channel’s revenue, according to Derek Baine of SNL Kagan.

“The first generation of Nickelodeon kids are now Nickelodeon parents,” Ms. Zarghami said, adding four in every 10 parents of small children grew up watching Nickelodeon.

Research shows that with this generation, “Watching TV is actually a family activity that people are not embarrassed about,” she said. “This generation does not call the TV the idiot box the way my parents did.”

Anecdotal reports are increasing of people watching more with their kids, or “co-viewing,” and that creates two opportunities for Nickelodeon.

“One is for kids to bring their parents to stuff they love, and there’s an opportunity for parents to bring their kids to stuff that they really like,” Ms. Zarghami said. “And what we’re finding with ‘George Lopez’ is he has gotten onto the radar of a lot of adults through their kids and vice versa.”

The network also has been feeding the co-viewing habit by programming movies, including “Grease” and “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.”

Nick at Nite is creating original movies and programs as well.

“Gym Teacher” was the No. 1 show on television with kids when it aired in September. Nick at Nite in the first quarter plans to air “Spectacular!,” a movie in which teams of talented singing and dancing teens compete for a choir championship.

Other films are in the pipeline awaiting a green light, Ms. Zarghami said.

The network also has ordered an original animated series, “Glenn Martin D.D.S.,” from former Disney boss Michael Eisner’s company.

ryan423 · 12-15-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

To that end, Nick at Nite is adding more family-oriented sitcoms to its lineup next year, including Chris Rock’s “Everybody Hates Chris” and “The Nanny,” starring Fran Drescher, who may run for Hillary Clinton’s seat in the U.S. Senate.

Eww. For the sake of my city, god no!

ThomasE · 12-18-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan423

Eww. For the sake of my city, god no!

Come on now. She might be qualified. After all, "she was working in a bridal shop in flushing, Queens."

TVFactFan · 12-18-2008, 05:59 PM

Not good to hear EHC and the nanny is coming. damm

ThomasE · 12-18-2008, 08:14 PM

Bite your tongue, Solomeister. Those are good choices. LOL.

TVFactFan · 12-18-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasE

Bite your tongue, Solomeister. Those are good choices. LOL.

Never thought a upn show would end up on N@N

ThomasE · 12-18-2008, 08:18 PM

Actually, I must agree with you. I found this out last year that EHC is coming to NAN. I was like "wow, that's interesting".

12-15-2008, 11:57 AM	#1
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	George Lopez Continues to Shine on Nick at Nite Nick at Nite Can’t Get Enough George Lopez Cable Net Wants to Expand on Success of Family Sitcom With comedy “George Lopez” powering Nick at Nite to the top spot in the ratings among adults 18 to 49 for 2008, the network is reaching out to the comedian to team on more projects. “We’re talking to George Lopez. He’s been a great partner to us and we hope to do more work with him in the future,” said Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. Since coming to Nick at Nite at 10 p.m., “Lopez” has improved ratings in its time period by 50% from a year ago. “‘George Lopez’ is the epitome of the modern family in many ways,” Ms. Zarghami said. “It’s a modern couple working hard, two modern kids who talk to them the way modern kids talk to parents, and it was a great show that got seen by very few people when it was on the [broadcast] network.” Ms. Zarghami stopped short of saying Nick at Nite might make more episodes of the sitcom with Mr. Lopez, but she said we should see him hosting or doing specials. “Every time he’s on the air, he gets great response,” she said. Ms. Zarghami is banking on family viewing, which she says has shown signs of making a comeback. To that end, Nick at Nite is adding more family-oriented sitcoms to its lineup next year, including Chris Rock’s “Everybody Hates Chris” and “The Nanny,” starring Fran Drescher, who may run for Hillary Clinton’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Nick at Nite shares a cable channel with Nickelodeon and increasingly is sharing an audience. Nick at Nite this year averaged 656,000 adult viewers 18 to 49, up 20% from last year. That’s important because while Nickelodeon remains the top kids network, the kids business is tough and evening programming generates as much as 75% of the channel’s revenue, according to Derek Baine of SNL Kagan. “The first generation of Nickelodeon kids are now Nickelodeon parents,” Ms. Zarghami said, adding four in every 10 parents of small children grew up watching Nickelodeon. Research shows that with this generation, “Watching TV is actually a family activity that people are not embarrassed about,” she said. “This generation does not call the TV the idiot box the way my parents did.” Anecdotal reports are increasing of people watching more with their kids, or “co-viewing,” and that creates two opportunities for Nickelodeon. “One is for kids to bring their parents to stuff they love, and there’s an opportunity for parents to bring their kids to stuff that they really like,” Ms. Zarghami said. “And what we’re finding with ‘George Lopez’ is he has gotten onto the radar of a lot of adults through their kids and vice versa.” The network also has been feeding the co-viewing habit by programming movies, including “Grease” and “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.” Nick at Nite is creating original movies and programs as well. “Gym Teacher” was the No. 1 show on television with kids when it aired in September. Nick at Nite in the first quarter plans to air “Spectacular!,” a movie in which teams of talented singing and dancing teens compete for a choir championship. Other films are in the pipeline awaiting a green light, Ms. Zarghami said. The network also has ordered an original animated series, “Glenn Martin D.D.S.,” from former Disney boss Michael Eisner’s company.
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12-18-2008, 05:59 PM	#4
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,053	Not good to hear EHC and the nanny is coming. damm

12-18-2008, 08:14 PM	#5
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Bite your tongue, Solomeister. Those are good choices. LOL.

12-18-2008, 08:18 PM	#7
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Actually, I must agree with you. I found this out last year that EHC is coming to NAN. I was like "wow, that's interesting".