NBC Gives Up

[eggwards]

We were watching Heroes last night. Surprisingly one of the more plot-heavy episodes. We seem to be following the show just to see if they can actually pull it out of the tailspin that it's been on since the last episode of the first season. Every once in a while there's a spark of life in it, but more often it's full of comic book clichés and

Comments

[eggwards]

Well, NBC has reniged on the full season order for Knight Rider. They cut back to 17 episodes, which was 17 more than the show needed.

NBC Universal now makes more money from the Cable networks than ever before, but the programming, especially on Sci-Fi, is incredibly cheap, Battlestar non-withstanding. Still, if it wasn't for Battlestar, Caprica wouldn't be greenlighted. Sci-Fi won't be allowed to spend so much for any future show that doesn't have a built in audience (or share production costs abroad).

I think we are getting to the point where distribution is going to go around the networks, and maybe even cable. I think Hulu, You Tube, Apple TV and Netflix are showing us the future.

[eggwards]

Well, it's the fact that a show can be watched in any order that makes it great for reruns. It's sort of like reading a Garfield Cartoon every now and again vs. reading a novel. Many people just can't actually read a whole book anymore.

The biggest mistake I think Heroes made was keeping Sylar alive. The character was done, and evil defeated at the end of season 1, but now his character limps along having to interact with all of the other cast members whether it makes sense or not, just because he was a fan favorite. He's not the only one, but his character makes it hard for the writers to move on to something new and fresh. They could have brought him back later, but think about it, do all Superman stories have Lex Luthor, or all Batman stories have the Joker? If the villain is overused, the story suffers.

[magebear]

The only reason I keep cable is for the internet connection. I download or stream anything I really want to watch.

[eggwards]

Yes, and I'm doing more of that, through the legal channels right now. Still, if you go to get programming out there through other means, I could be watching HBO and Showtime shows as well. If I was a little more savvy, tech wise, maybe I'd fully make the switch. If times get harder, the Cable just may have to go.

do you find that you are watching more or less now? How do you discover the next thing you want to watch? Word of mouth?

[magebear]

Yes, and and some word of mouth. The hubbie still is a tube boob.

[hanover]

You never mentioned Lost. :)

I think thats one of the ballsiest shows on TV. They kill of beloved characters and the characters stay pretty consistent. Benjamin Linus will be, and always will be a son of a bitch. The cool thing about it, their survival depends on him. This real asshole who doesn't care if people die. Talk about balls! :)

Not to mention the twists and turns this series has taken. People getting off the Island and it's not even the last season yet. Resolutions coming when you least expected them. It just shows you that they are going to play by their rules and not what you'd typically see on television.

I say Kudos to Lost and wish more non-pay cable networks would take chances on programs like that one.

[eggwards]

I mentioned Lost in passing, but you are correct, it is one of the best shows around and a good model for what I would liek to see on TV. Still, if it wasn't for a big, buzzworthy begining, the show would be gone

[njbearcub1]

Jeff Zucker contemplates cutting back even more:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i686368ba4cd6a88c1ba37d99bf187003?imw=Y

[eggwards]

Well, my dislike of Leno kind of set up this post. I think he's really horrible to watch and to give over 5 hours of prime time to him just seems silly. Especially since you know he's going to be like Carson and probably only work 3 of those hours.

Zucker may have a point. If you are trying to fill all those hours with a limited production budget, maybe it's not worth it to make so much crap when you can make a smaller amount of crap for the same money! If I thought we'd get better programming from it, I could see it as a win, but the same guy who greenlighted Knight Rider also greenlighted Bionic Woman and My Own Worst Enemy. I don't have high hopes for him.

[mrdreamjeans]

I haven't watched any shows on NBC in years. My folks still watch ER on NBC, but that' s it for them. I differ a bit from you in that I do enjoy CSI, CSI Miami and NCIS, but my two favorite "new" shows have been cancelled ... "Pushing Daisies" and "Eli Stone". I don't watch Letterman or Leno; at that hour, I'm watching Adult Swim:)

Great, thoughtful post!

HUGS!

[eggwards]

I love 30 Rock on NBC. Besides Heroes it's the only thing I watch on the network. I used to love ER, but the constant changing characters and a change on how they focused the shows - from the patients to the soap opera doctors, made me stop watching.

I loved Pushing Dasies, and I loved Wonderfalls, both from the the same production group. I hope he gets to do another show, perhaps on a cable channel that will be willing to let it run longer. I watched an Episode or two of Eli Stone, but didn't get the chance to get hooked in. Strangely i watched Eli Stone on line, and was upset that they only had 3 episodes, so i really couldn't get hooked.

Adult Swim is fun, but the shows are very hit or miss with me. At least they are willing to take risks, even if some are pretty out there!

Thanks, and keep breaking those legs!

Hugs!