Is NBC Dead?

[Brian Damage]

Get a hit drama in here, stat!

Just a couple weeks into the fall television season, the prognosis is not looking good for NBC. To wit:

• The 'Jay Leno Show' experiment at 10PM is flailing. The premiere attracted 18 million viewers; now it averages in the 5-6 million range. And its getting trashed by the critics, like Nancy Franklin of the New Yorker, who scathingly writes, "The forensic evidence so far indicates that a kind of death is taking place before our eyes; the only question is whether what we're witnessing is an accident or a crime scene.

• The once-beloved 'Heroes' started season 4 with its weakest premiere numbers yet, falling an astonishing 46 percent from last year's opener. Consider that season 2's premiere netted 17 million viewers. NBC would kill for just half that these days.

• Returning favorite 'Law and Order: SVU' was down 34 percent

• New drama 'Mercy' notched a weak second place last Wednesday with 8.2 million viewers, and the big, action-filled 'Trauma' arrived nearly DOA Monday night with 6.9 million.

• Acclaimed new comedy 'Community' slipped from its premiere numbers by 26 percent. Even worse, NBC slid down to fourth place last Thursday, thanks to Fox's combination of 'Bones' and 'Fringe.'

Once the home of outstanding, Emmy Award-winning 10PM dramas like 'ER,' 'L.A. Law' and 'Hill Street Blues,' NBC seems to be on life support, surviving on cheap talk, reality and game shows. Perhaps it's too late and NBC is done for.

We really hope not, so here are some ideas on how to resuscitate the network:

1. Move 'The Jay Leno Show' to 8PM -- and trim it to half an hour
Look, we'd love if the show went away for good, but it's not going to happen. Leno's humor isn't too risque for 8PM, and can be paired with comedies ('Community' and 'Parks and Recreation' could move from Thursday), half-hour game shows or a 90-minute 'Biggest Loser.' This would open up the 10PM hour for great dramas again, speaking of which ...

2. Make great dramas, then treat them well
If 'Mercy' and 'Trauma' are your best offerings, NBC, that's just sad. 'Parenthood' looks promising, but it's for midseason and the lead role is being recast. But worse is how the network has treated its acclaimed dramas. 'Friday Night Lights' barely earned renewal and was banished to the dead zone that is, well, Friday nights. A similar fate awaits 'Southland.' 'Kings' was hidden on Saturdays over the summer, then canceled. If NBC is really dying, then doesn't it at least want to go out in style?

3. Give up on the Thursday comedy block, because it isn't working
'The Office' and '30 Rock' are cruising, but the Thursday edition of 'Saturday Night Live,' 'Parks and Recreation' and 'Community' are struggling. Use some common sense: If you're getting crushed, move out of the way. The 8PM hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays look a bit less crowded.

4. At least air the good kind of reality TV
'The Biggest Loser' is fine; 'The Celebrity Apprentice' is gross. Take a page from corporate sibling Bravo, which developed its brand on 'Project Runway' (now on Lifetime) and 'Top Chef.' Heck, even their 'Real Housewives' franchise is better than most NBC reality shows ('I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here' ... really?!?).

5. If there's absolutely nothing cooking, raid the pantry
NBC is part of a big corporation that includes sister networks Bravo, Syfy, USA and Oxygen. Why not re-air some of their acclaimed hits, like 'Battlestar Galactica' or 'Burn Notice'? Call it the Friday Night Rewind or something.


http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/09/30/is-nbc-dead/#

[catlover79]

I agree with that article. Well, they are obviously not Jay Leno fans. If they dump the guests and keep the monologue and headlines, I'll be a happy girl. NBC was stupid to mess with the late-night lineup in the first place. They tried to fix something that wasn't broken - they should've kept Jay on The Tonight Show, Conan on Late Night, etc. Heck, *I* could do a better job running NBC than these hacks!

[spunkygirl]

Geez Jay's show isn't that bad, I can think of worse

Critics are such drama queens at times

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by catlover79

I agree with that article. Well, they are obviously not Jay Leno fans. If they dump the guests and keep the monologue and headlines, I'll be a happy girl. NBC was stupid to mess with the late-night lineup in the first place. They tried to fix something that wasn't broken - they should've kept Jay on The Tonight Show, Conan on Late Night, etc. Heck, *I* could do a better job running NBC than these hacks!

Monika, I wish you were running NBC instead of those hacks! You would do a much better job!

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Monika, I wish you were running NBC instead of those hacks! You would do a much better job!

Why thank you, Marv - plus I need a job, anyway!!

[Mr. Television]

NBC is run by idiots. I knew the Jay Leno Show was going to be a failure before it even aired. He should have stayed on the Tonight Show. The only show I watch on NBC right now is SVU and I have to DVR it because it's on opposite Criminal Minds. I won't even mention Chuck which is NBC's best show because it isn't going to be on until March.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

NBC is run by idiots. I knew the Jay Leno Show was going to be a failure before it even aired. He should have stayed on the Tonight Show. The only show I watch on NBC right now is SVU and I have to DVR it because it's on opposite Criminal Minds. I won't even mention Chuck which is NBC's best show because it isn't going to be on until March.

Makes you long for the days of Supertrain, Manimal, Pink Lady & Jeff and David Cassidy: Man Undercover, doesn't it??

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Makes you long for the days of Supertrain, Manimal, Pink Lady & Jeff and David Cassidy: Man Undercover, doesn't it??

It's hard to believe that this is the same network that Brandon Tartikoff used to run. Maybe the current people in charge love being the 4th place network. Their motto: Hey at least we aren't as low as the CW. lol

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

It's hard to believe that this is the same network that Brandon Tartikoff used to run. Maybe the current people in charge love being the 4th place network. Their motto: Hey at least we aren't as low as the CW. lol

Brandon Tartikoff - not only was he a terrific TV exec, from everything I've read about him, he seemed like a really terrific guy, too. He must be spinning in his grave at the current state of NBC.

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Brandon Tartikoff - not only was he a terrific TV exec, from everything I've read about him, he seemed like a really terrific guy, too. He must be spinning in his grave at the current state of NBC.

Speaking of Brandon, NBC could really use an injection of Punky Power! right about now!

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Brandon Tartikoff - not only was he a terrific TV exec, from everything I've read about him, he seemed like a really terrific guy, too. He must be spinning in his grave at the current state of NBC.

He was a Great person and a great entertainment President.. He actually gave low rated shows a chance and they ended up becoming hits....Cheers, Family Ties, Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere...Hunter, Knight Rider...and on and on and on. Networks cancel shows so early anymore. How is a show supposed to find an audience when it's canceled after only a few weeks? The best thing about him was that there wasn't any cheap reality shows on his network.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Speaking of Brandon, NBC could really use an injection of Punky Power! right about now!

That's another low rated show that he had faith in.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

He was a Great person and a great entertainment President.. He actually gave low rated shows a chance and they ended up becoming hits....Cheers, Family Ties, Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere...Hunter, Knight Rider...and on and on and on. Networks cancel shows so early anymore. How is a show supposed to find an audience when it's canceled after only a few weeks? The best thing about him was that there wasn't any cheap reality shows on his network.

Sonny, you hit the nail right on the head again!! Perfectly put!!

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

NBC is run by idiots. I knew the Jay Leno Show was going to be a failure before it even aired. He should have stayed on the Tonight Show. The only show I watch on NBC right now is SVU and I have to DVR it because it's on opposite Criminal Minds. I won't even mention Chuck which is NBC's best show because it isn't going to be on until March.

Jeff Zucker has absolutely been a cancer for NBC for the past decade or so. If you don't believe me, take a look at this article:
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/i...as_nothin.html

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Get a hit drama in here, stat!

Just a couple weeks into the fall television season, the prognosis is not looking good for NBC. To wit:

• The 'Jay Leno Show' experiment at 10PM is flailing. The premiere attracted 18 million viewers; now it averages in the 5-6 million range. And its getting trashed by the critics, like Nancy Franklin of the New Yorker, who scathingly writes, "The forensic evidence so far indicates that a kind of death is taking place before our eyes; the only question is whether what we're witnessing is an accident or a crime scene.

• The once-beloved 'Heroes' started season 4 with its weakest premiere numbers yet, falling an astonishing 46 percent from last year's opener. Consider that season 2's premiere netted 17 million viewers. NBC would kill for just half that these days.

• Returning favorite 'Law and Order: SVU' was down 34 percent

• New drama 'Mercy' notched a weak second place last Wednesday with 8.2 million viewers, and the big, action-filled 'Trauma' arrived nearly DOA Monday night with 6.9 million.

• Acclaimed new comedy 'Community' slipped from its premiere numbers by 26 percent. Even worse, NBC slid down to fourth place last Thursday, thanks to Fox's combination of 'Bones' and 'Fringe.'

Once the home of outstanding, Emmy Award-winning 10PM dramas like 'ER,' 'L.A. Law' and 'Hill Street Blues,' NBC seems to be on life support, surviving on cheap talk, reality and game shows. Perhaps it's too late and NBC is done for.

We really hope not, so here are some ideas on how to resuscitate the network:

1. Move 'The Jay Leno Show' to 8PM -- and trim it to half an hour
Look, we'd love if the show went away for good, but it's not going to happen. Leno's humor isn't too risque for 8PM, and can be paired with comedies ('Community' and 'Parks and Recreation' could move from Thursday), half-hour game shows or a 90-minute 'Biggest Loser.' This would open up the 10PM hour for great dramas again, speaking of which ...

2. Make great dramas, then treat them well
If 'Mercy' and 'Trauma' are your best offerings, NBC, that's just sad. 'Parenthood' looks promising, but it's for midseason and the lead role is being recast. But worse is how the network has treated its acclaimed dramas. 'Friday Night Lights' barely earned renewal and was banished to the dead zone that is, well, Friday nights. A similar fate awaits 'Southland.' 'Kings' was hidden on Saturdays over the summer, then canceled. If NBC is really dying, then doesn't it at least want to go out in style?

3. Give up on the Thursday comedy block, because it isn't working
'The Office' and '30 Rock' are cruising, but the Thursday edition of 'Saturday Night Live,' 'Parks and Recreation' and 'Community' are struggling. Use some common sense: If you're getting crushed, move out of the way. The 8PM hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays look a bit less crowded.

4. At least air the good kind of reality TV
'The Biggest Loser' is fine; 'The Celebrity Apprentice' is gross. Take a page from corporate sibling Bravo, which developed its brand on 'Project Runway' (now on Lifetime) and 'Top Chef.' Heck, even their 'Real Housewives' franchise is better than most NBC reality shows ('I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here' ... really?!?).

5. If there's absolutely nothing cooking, raid the pantry
NBC is part of a big corporation that includes sister networks Bravo, Syfy, USA and Oxygen. Why not re-air some of their acclaimed hits, like 'Battlestar Galactica' or 'Burn Notice'? Call it the Friday Night Rewind or something.


http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/09/30/is-nbc-dead/#

NBC should continue to have a four comedy block on Thurdsays only for "it's a tradition" reasons.