NBC Chief Proclaims End to 'Friends' Is at Hand - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brett Ferino · 01-18-2003, 08:44 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker finally did something on Friday he has long been reluctant to do -- proclaim the impending end of the smash hit sitcom "Friends."

Speaking at NBC's winter showcase for television critics, Zucker said "Friends," now in its ninth season as the network's biggest comedy success since "Seinfeld," will positively, absolutely end its run after its upcoming 10th season.

NBC last month struck a deal with Warner Bros. Television to bring the Emmy-winning show back in the fall of 2003 for 18 more episodes, six segments fewer than a typical season order, for a reported license fee of $10 million per episode.

"Yes, that will be the final season. Even I acknowledge that -- the 10th and final year of the best comedy on television," Zucker said. "The door is not open after that."

On the drama front, Zucker said NBC had clinched a separate renewal deal with Warner to keep the acclaimed political drama "The West Wing (news - web sites)" on the air for at least two more seasons, through May of 2005.

Zucker also outlined a prime-time summer roster consisting of 60 percent original programming, most of it staged "reality" shows, with such titles as "The Next Action Star," "Love Shack," "Around the World in 80 Dates" and a street-racing show "The Fast and the Furious," inspired by the film of the same name. But Zucker said that except for occasional "sweeps" stunts, like four airings of the gross-out show "Fear Factor" slated for February, the network's regular season from September to May would remain generally "reality" free.

"I think reality has its place. ... For us, that place is in the summer," he said.

END OF 'FRIENDS'

Meanwhile, Zucker's unequivocal "Friends" declaration seemed to seal the fate of a show whose future had been the subject of fierce speculation in recent years. As recently as last summer, the producers of "Friends" had vowed that the ninth season would be their last, even though Zucker then left open the door to the series returning for another year.

Under the renewal deal, NBC would pay the AOL Time Warner Inc. production unit a reported $10 million an episode, making "Friends" the most expensive prime-time sitcom in history.

The show also will join the lofty ranks of comedies that have remained on the air at least 10 seasons, including "The Lucy Show," "My Three Sons," "Cheers," "Happy Days," "M*A*S*H" and "The Simpsons (news - Y! TV)."

As the highest-rated comedy on television, "Friends" has been one of NBC's hottest properties throughout its run and Zucker acknowledged that no other sitcom has yet emerged to fill its shoes.

NBC's remaining Thursday comedies remain strong -- "Will & Grace (news - Y! TV)," the quirky hospital comedy "Scrubs" and the freshman sitcom "Good Morning Miami" -- while the aging "Frasier" has slipped in the ratings but is otherwise holding its own on Tuesday nights. "The fact is that we probably won't find our next great big comedy until 'Friends' goes away," the network's programming chief said.

Zucker said all those shows will return in the fall but the future is doubtful for "Just Shoot Me," which has plunged in the ratings.

One comedy returning to the NBC schedule in April after an extended hiatus is a revamped "Watching Ellie," starring former "Seinfeld" co-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus (news). With the series now being taped with three cameras instead of one before a live studio audience, Zucker said "Ellie" would have the look and feel of a virtually new show.

The return of "Friends" for a 10th season gives NBC a bit more breathing room. The year before last, some critics were suggesting the comedy about six perky, coffee-drinking singles living in New York City had reached its crest.

But with a popular story line involving Ross (David Schwimmer (news)) fathering a child with Rachel (Jennifer Aniston (news)), "Friends" has enjoyed a creative resurgence and a rebound in its ratings.

The "Friends" executive producers had said last summer they wanted to go out on a high note, but Zucker said the writing team ultimately decided "they had enough stories left in them to tell to do one more season."

NBC is owned by General Electric Co.

01-18-2003, 08:44 PM	#1
Brett Ferino Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 18, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,782	NBC Chief Proclaims End to 'Friends' Is at Hand LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker finally did something on Friday he has long been reluctant to do -- proclaim the impending end of the smash hit sitcom "Friends." Speaking at NBC's winter showcase for television critics, Zucker said "Friends," now in its ninth season as the network's biggest comedy success since "Seinfeld," will positively, absolutely end its run after its upcoming 10th season. NBC last month struck a deal with Warner Bros. Television to bring the Emmy-winning show back in the fall of 2003 for 18 more episodes, six segments fewer than a typical season order, for a reported license fee of $10 million per episode. "Yes, that will be the final season. Even I acknowledge that -- the 10th and final year of the best comedy on television," Zucker said. "The door is not open after that." On the drama front, Zucker said NBC had clinched a separate renewal deal with Warner to keep the acclaimed political drama "The West Wing (news - web sites)" on the air for at least two more seasons, through May of 2005. Zucker also outlined a prime-time summer roster consisting of 60 percent original programming, most of it staged "reality" shows, with such titles as "The Next Action Star," "Love Shack," "Around the World in 80 Dates" and a street-racing show "The Fast and the Furious," inspired by the film of the same name. But Zucker said that except for occasional "sweeps" stunts, like four airings of the gross-out show "Fear Factor" slated for February, the network's regular season from September to May would remain generally "reality" free. "I think reality has its place. ... For us, that place is in the summer," he said. END OF 'FRIENDS' Meanwhile, Zucker's unequivocal "Friends" declaration seemed to seal the fate of a show whose future had been the subject of fierce speculation in recent years. As recently as last summer, the producers of "Friends" had vowed that the ninth season would be their last, even though Zucker then left open the door to the series returning for another year. Under the renewal deal, NBC would pay the AOL Time Warner Inc. production unit a reported $10 million an episode, making "Friends" the most expensive prime-time sitcom in history. The show also will join the lofty ranks of comedies that have remained on the air at least 10 seasons, including "The Lucy Show," "My Three Sons," "Cheers," "Happy Days," "MAS*H" and "The Simpsons (news - Y! TV)." As the highest-rated comedy on television, "Friends" has been one of NBC's hottest properties throughout its run and Zucker acknowledged that no other sitcom has yet emerged to fill its shoes. NBC's remaining Thursday comedies remain strong -- "Will & Grace (news - Y! TV)," the quirky hospital comedy "Scrubs" and the freshman sitcom "Good Morning Miami" -- while the aging "Frasier" has slipped in the ratings but is otherwise holding its own on Tuesday nights. "The fact is that we probably won't find our next great big comedy until 'Friends' goes away," the network's programming chief said. Zucker said all those shows will return in the fall but the future is doubtful for "Just Shoot Me," which has plunged in the ratings. One comedy returning to the NBC schedule in April after an extended hiatus is a revamped "Watching Ellie," starring former "Seinfeld" co-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus (news). With the series now being taped with three cameras instead of one before a live studio audience, Zucker said "Ellie" would have the look and feel of a virtually new show. The return of "Friends" for a 10th season gives NBC a bit more breathing room. The year before last, some critics were suggesting the comedy about six perky, coffee-drinking singles living in New York City had reached its crest. But with a popular story line involving Ross (David Schwimmer (news)) fathering a child with Rachel (Jennifer Aniston (news)), "Friends" has enjoyed a creative resurgence and a rebound in its ratings. The "Friends" executive producers had said last summer they wanted to go out on a high note, but Zucker said the writing team ultimately decided "they had enough stories left in them to tell to do one more season." NBC is owned by General Electric Co.