I've been hearing this a lot over the last year or so about how the late success of "Seinfeld" and "Cheers" shows that there are times when a network can hang on to shows and become winners. The problem is that there aren't too many on this very short list.
Well NBC is doing this again with their "30 Rock" series. While we hear these phrases like "critically acclaimed" being thrown around, it really doesn't have much meaning. It just means someone is hoping that the show will take off for reasons other than people really wanting to watch it.
The show is still struggling to find an audience as it only averages a miniscule 5.8 million viewers a week, which ranks them only 130 of all prime-time shows in the U.S.
The network has also been reluctant to let go of another underperformer "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," which hasn't done well at all. Some of this has to do with the people involved with these projects like Tina Fey and Aaron Sorkin who have had pass successes with the network. They're evidently hoping that keeping them around may eventually get them an audience.
Another problem for NBC is that they are struggling to find much good stuff at all that is succeeding. If they get rid of these shows, what will they replace it with is probably what they're thinking.
For "30 Rock" they have definitely been given another chance, as they've received a full-season order of 22 episodes for next fall.
Other shows with uncertain futures for the Peacock are "The Apprentice," "Law & Order and "Friday Night Lights."
The future of these and other shows won't be known until a few days before the networks reveal their fall schedules next month.
This show is so funny, I can't believe that there was ever any doubt that they would renew it. It took the Office a year to take off too, I am sure they will have a great season.
Posted by: davis freeberg | April 4, 2007 10:25 PM | Permalink to Comment