So what does this mean for The Office, 30 Rock, and Scrubs?
The network that once boasted of its "must-see TV" saw most of its Thursday lineup last week -- "Scrubs," "30 Rock," "The Office" and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" -- attract fewer viewers than Univision's telenovela, "Destilando Amor."
Suddenly, the dagger's hanging over some of our favorite shows. The Fall 2007 season could very well be it. Enjoy them now, because I have a really bad feeling these shows will be on the cutting block very soon. All because these shows can't keep up with American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.
The moral of the story once again is that the average television viewer is an idiot.
(edited by It's False on 1.6.07 1818)
The Wisdom of Homsar: Let's sing a song of Pennzoil!
Originally posted by It's FalseSuddenly, the dagger's hanging over some of our favorite shows.
Easy, big fella. That's not how it works. First, take a look at this chart which has the REAL numbers - http://www.tvweek.com/docs/docs/chart060407.pdf - and then remember that (a) Sweeps were over, (b) NBC was in reruns while the shows you're slamming were first-run, (c) CNN is actually WRONG on almost all their numbers - everything actually BEAT Univision with the exception of "Scrubs" (which TIED), (d) "Destilando Amor" is first-run and on five nights a week and (e) that's without even going into the fact that CNN (of all places) is perpetuating cultural bias by inferring that the network of the Spanish speakers has no business pulling NBC-type numbers. Add all that up and ... well, don't believe everything you read. I'm not saying Reilly wasn't a goner and ratings played a big part in it, but not because of anything that happened last week, for heaven's sake. Usually the AP does a better job but they probably should have left this one to actual TV writers.
Originally posted by CRZ CNN is actually WRONG on almost all
Finally, I agree
Look, I doubt Earl and the Office are in much trouble - Scrubs has never been too popular, but some watch it.
But why do people watch and programmers schedule crap like Idol, Dancing and that dumb Pirates show?
They're cheap. Scrubs, for example, has 8 or so on it's main roster, who all get paid good money, along with sets to maintain, plenty of scriptwriters, post production, cameras, all of it.
For a half-hour
Idol or Dancing - only 4 well- paid people (I guess Dancing has 5) and then some bucks for the contestants. They're live, so no post-Prod, except the viginettes. About like Wrestling, except the wrestlers get paid too, so production costs more.
And we dumb folks (here and in other countries) watch it. Me too (at least from time to time). Until that stops, of COURSE that's what they will schedule. And NBC hasn't found "theirs" yet. Fox has Idol, CBS Survivor and BB and Race, ABC has Makeover, wife swap and the Bachelor. NBC - really, only the Apprentice and Deal - and Apprentice is gone.
It's just economics. That's why they make cable - I wonder why Fx or some other station doesn't pick up Jericho.
Its too late for him to affect the already announced schedule for next season, right? I'm pretty sure that means that the comedies are safe for now. At any rate, I'd expect that given the will-they/won't-they status of Scrubs fate just a few weeks ago, next season will probably be Scrubs final regardless. The Office sounds safe for the reasons mentioned above, plus the fact that people love to DVR it (hollywoodreporter.com). The only show I'd be concerned about is 30 Rock. I can see that getting pulled mid-season if it doesn't have the ratings.
You believe me, don't you? Please believe what I just said...
Very much this. There's pretty much no chance that it will see any increase in ratings after being away for almost a whole year--this is a show that requires a knowledge of what's come before.
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