NBC Isn't Out to 'Destroy Drama,' Says 'ER' Vet Anthony Edwards - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-21-2009, 09:45 PM

Was NBC trying to kill the drama genre when they decided to plant Jay Leno's folksy talkfest at the tail-end of primetime every night? TV critics and a smattering of on-screen stars tied to the network have been critical of the decision, which has so far resulted in canceled dramas ('Southland') and sagging ratings for Leno and the shows that follow him.

But Anthony Edwards, whose serious work on 'ER' benefited from the show's perch at 10 p.m., doesn't think his former network is out to "destroy drama." It's about survival, he tells PopEater, and NBC is simply doing what they think is best for their bottom line.

"That's what a commercial network is supposed to be doing," he says, "that's their business ... they're not a public library."

The wealth of channel options on television these days, Edwards believes, has made it less necessary for a big network like NBC to provide programs that otherwise would be too adult for pre-10 viewing.

http://www.popeater.com/2009/10/21/a...n-motherhood/#

catlover79 · 10-21-2009, 09:49 PM

All due respect to Mr. Edwards, but I must disagree with him here. Was he still on ER when Jeff Zucker took over NBC?

Mr. Television · 10-21-2009, 10:38 PM

Well his boss John Wells disagrees with him. I don't know how putting Leno on 5 days a week is going to help them survive. It won't be long before the affiliates start revolting. NBC can threaten them all they want but if enough bolts NBC is dead.

70s show watcher · 10-22-2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

All due respect to Mr. Edwards, but I must disagree with him here. Was he still on ER when Jeff Zucker took over NBC?

im not sure but i dont think he was

10-21-2009, 09:45 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 Isn't Out to 'Destroy Drama,' Says 'ER' Vet Anthony Edwards Was NBC trying to kill the drama genre when they decided to plant Jay Leno's folksy talkfest at the tail-end of primetime every night? TV critics and a smattering of on-screen stars tied to the network have been critical of the decision, which has so far resulted in canceled dramas ('Southland') and sagging ratings for Leno and the shows that follow him. But Anthony Edwards, whose serious work on 'ER' benefited from the show's perch at 10 p.m., doesn't think his former network is out to "destroy drama." It's about survival, he tells PopEater, and NBC is simply doing what they think is best for their bottom line. "That's what a commercial network is supposed to be doing," he says, "that's their business ... they're not a public library." The wealth of channel options on television these days, Edwards believes, has made it less necessary for a big network like NBC to provide programs that otherwise would be too adult for pre-10 viewing. http://www.popeater.com/2009/10/21/a...n-motherhood/#
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10-21-2009, 09:49 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	All due respect to Mr. Edwards, but I must disagree with him here. Was he still on ER when Jeff Zucker took over NBC?
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10-21-2009, 10:38 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Well his boss John Wells disagrees with him. I don't know how putting Leno on 5 days a week is going to help them survive. It won't be long before the affiliates start revolting. NBC can threaten them all they want but if enough bolts NBC is dead.
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