In the New York Times today (Monday, May 15th), there is an article about Jeff Zucker who is the programming guru at NBC. It details the network's falling fron 1st Place to 4th in the primetime ratings. Towards the end of the article, Zucker says this about The Office: "We all feel 'The Office' is a very funny show. It deserves another shot." This portends quite well for the show, and makes me very happy as the last couple episodes were quite good, and would think next season would be good as well.
Monday: Fear Factor, Las Vegas, Medium Tuesday: Joey, My Name is Earl, Scrubs, Four Kings, L&O: SVU Wednesday: Dateline, E-Ring, L&O Thursday: Will & Grace, Thick and Thin, The Apprentice, ER Friday: Fathom, Dateline, Inconceivable Saturday: usual band of repeats Sunday: Dateline, The Apprentice with Martha Stewart, L&O: CI, Crossing Jordan
New Series: Comedy: My Name is Earl (20th), Four Kings (Warner Bros. TV), Thick and Thin (NBC Universal); Drama: E-Ring (Warner Bros. TV/Bruckheimer), Fathom (NBC Universal), Inconceivable (Touchstone/Tollin Robbins); Reality: The Apprentice with Martha Stewart (Mark Burnett Prods) Returning Series (tho some in midseason): Fear Factor, Las Vegas, Medium, Joey, L&O: SVU, L&O, L&O: CI, ER, The Office, West Wing, Dateline, Will & Grace, Crossing Jordan, Biggest Loser, Scrubs Potential New Midseason Launches: Filmore Middle, Lies and the Wives We Tell them To; The Book of Daniel Not Returning: L&O: Trial by Jury, Committed, American Dreams, Medical Investigation, The Contender, Revelations
So that would be a good sign for The Office (and the best thing that Zucker's done for nighttime); if he was smart, he needs to give it that 7:30p Thursday Central timeslot. Tuesday night 7-9 is NBC's black hole due to Fox.
By the way, check out how NBC presented its Thursday nights to advertisers...spin doctors earning their pay...
Originally posted by NBC THURSDAY This season, NBC's Thursday lineup was the most upscale night on network television in adults 18-49 living in homes with incomes of $75,000 or more. "Joey" returns as the season's number one new fall comedy and Emmy winner "Will & Grace" enters its final season, having delivered its best season ever in upscale demographics. "The Apprentice" with Donald Trump remains solidly upscale while "ER" - entering its 12th season still on target creatively -- continues to provide choice demographic delivery at night's end. The medical drama has been NBC's number one drama for every one of its 11 seasons.
Anyone who still compares Matt Smith to Tennant by now have NEVER watched a Patrick Troughton adventure because Smith was eerily channeling him throughout. Smith certainly does not handle being the "Last Time Lord" like Tennant did.