Wednesday, May 23, 2012

NBC’s woes look to continue into next season


NBC has had a rough couple of years.

Actually, the past decade hasn’t been great for NBC.

The last time the network was truly relevant was during the ‘Friends’ and ‘ER’ heyday.

Sure, it had a brief glimmer of hope during the first season of ‘Heroes,’ but the writers of that show managed to snuff any momentum out pretty quickly in the second season.

Then there was that whole Jay Leno debacle – which the network still hasn’t even remotely recovered from.

NBC’s reliance on reality crap, especially ‘The Voice,’ is annoying but understandable. The network is continually getting beat up when it comes to scripted television.

For years, NBC’s only bright spot was ‘The Biggest Loser.’ Even that show seems to have lost its luster, though. It won’t be returning in the fall. Instead, it looks to be coming back in January.

One of the biggest surprises during upfront week was that NBC would be bringing back “Parenthood,’ a show that is clearly their best when it comes to quality, but still doesn’t get great ratings.

‘Law and Order: SVU’ comes back for what feels like its 20th season, while comedy mainstays ’30 Rock,’ ‘The Office’ and ‘Community’ will also make returns.

It’s important to note that ’30 Rock’ is only getting a half-season wrap-up while ‘Community’ is getting a new timeslot (the Friday death   slot) and a new show runner.

I don’t know what the answer to NBC’s problem is. In truth, the only show I find worth watching on the network is ‘Parenthood,’ and this will almost assuredly be the show’s final season.

NBC’s comedies are either long past their prime (The Office) or painfully unfunny (Whitney).

The network’s attempts at adding drama are also unmitigated disasters, like last year’s ‘Grimm’ – which boasts one of the most vacant leading men in television.

In truth, NBC’s problems are huge and the fixes may be out of their reach.

When I looked through their fall lineup I realized that the only show I watched this past season was ‘Parenthood,’ and the only show I would be watching this upcoming season is, you guessed it, ‘Parenthood.’

What do you think? Is NBC doomed?

NBC’s Fall Lineup

Monday
8 p.m. The Voice
10 p.m. Revolution

Tuesday
8 p.m. The Voice
9 p.m. Go On
9:30 p.m. The New Normal
10 p.m. Parenthood

Wednesday
8 p.m. Animal Practice
8:30 p.m. Guys With Kids
9 p.m. Law & Order: SVU
10 p.m. Chicago Fire

Thursday
8 p.m. 30 Rock
8:30 p.m. Up All Night
9 p.m. The Office
9:30 p.m. Parks and Recreation
10 p.m. Rock Center with Brian Williams

Friday
8 p.m. Whitney
8:30 p.m. Community
9 p.m. Grimm
10 p.m. Dateline

Sunday (post-football)
8 p.m. Fashion Star
9 p.m. Celebrity Apprentice
10 p.m. Do No Harm

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