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Mediaweek
July 9, 2007
Mr. Television Heads to TCA Press Tour
By Marc Berman
Mr. TV cares about his readers. So let me ask you, how are you quenching your discerning TV palate this summer without any quality original scripted programming on the broadcast networks? As any true fan of the small screen knows, getting through July and August can be, well, tough. But the potentially good news is the start of the Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour, which kicks off with highlights from PBS tomorrow (July 10), followed by cable and the five broadcast networks. It's a 17-day smorgasbord of big promises that attempt to make even a probable clinker like Cavemen sound like the next Seinfeld. But don't worry, my critical antenna will not be bent by the spin.
As I meet the stars and behind-the-scenes talent at the Beverly Hills event, I will keep you abreast of anything worth noting via The Programming Insider and PIFeedback.com.
As always, keep in mind that even a potentially bad new series (think ABC's aforementioned Cavemen, CBS' Viva Laughlin, NBC's Life and Fox's New Amsterdam) is usually better than the typical array of summer schlock. So, there is hope on the horizon. But don't get too excited: the unfortunate reality of each TV season is that two thirds of all new shows normally do not last past one season. And next season is no exception. It looks like there are more thorns in this bush than roses.
Since I like making predictions, let's start with what I guess will be the first new cancellation of the season: CBS' Viva Laughlin. Although the surprise midseason renewal for ABC's veteran According to Jim means there is already a show in the wings ready to replace Cavemen, I still say Viva Laughlin—a veritable Cop Rock: The Next Generation—will go first. I give it three episodes.
I also doubt that ABC sitcoms Samantha Who? (formerly called Sam I Am and Samantha Be Good) and Carpoolers (a show about people complaining en route to work—gosh, I can't wait to rush home from my job dealing with complaining people to watch that), CBS' Moonlight, NBC's remake of The Bionic Woman, Fox hours Nashville, New Amsterdam and The Search for the Next Great American Band and The CW drama Life Is Wild will last long.
Despite a recent angry call I received from the agent representing Nashville berating me for trashing the nonscripted series ("What gives you the right to judge my show?!" etc., etc.), I would still rather watch paint dry than spend an hour each week watching wannabes making it in Nashville. It looks awful.
And I do not have high hopes for ABC dramas Pushing Daisies and Private Practice (which reminds me of The Colbys a spinoff out of Dynasty that promptly failed), CBS' Cane (which is housed in the cursed Tuesday 10 p.m. hour—the former home of three-episode wonders Smith and 3 Lbs), Fox's Kitchen Nightmares and The CW nonscripted Sunday duo CW Now and Online Nation.
Since there is always one surprise new hit every season, my pick is NBC's Chuck. I admit that the demo I belong to is not necessarily the audience for a trendy comedy/drama about a young computer whiz who inadvertently becomes a secret agent for the government (let's face it, I'm getting ready to watch repeats of Murder, She Wrote and Diagnosis Murder). But solid early buzz makes Chuck a potential watercooler contender.
I also think that ABC's Women's Murder Club could also be an option for my female demo counterparts looking for something to watch on Friday. And I'm optimistic about new ABC dramas Big Shots and Dirty Sexy Money, CBS' nonscripted Kid Nation, Heroes lead-out Journeyman on NBC and The CW's Gossip Girl and Reaper. Fox's K-Ville, the first regular series to address life in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, looks like a good fit on Monday out of Prison Break in fourth quarter.
While I don't necessarily think The CW newsmagazine CW Now anchoring Sunday will bring legions of viewers to the network, there are two reasons why I think it will stick: It's cheap to produce and The CW has nothing else to program in 7 p.m. hour. In fact, I am willing to predict that the net axes lead-out Online Nation and expands CW Now to an hour.
Finally, two new sitcoms I have faith in are CBS' The Big Bang Theory and The CW's Aliens in America. And I also would like to think that Fox's Back to You, with multiple Emmy winners Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton, will stick. But let's hear what the nets have to say from L.A. I'll pop a Dramamine or two and get back to you when the room stops spinning.
© 2007 Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
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