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| → NBC is praying that "Friends" isn't going to call it quits after its ninth season. Hard to believe that one li'l sitcom is essentially the linchpin to 22 hours of programming. With only five new shows on the sked (three comedies, two dramas), they have to be hoping for several hits and minimal fall off considering only three shows are back for a second season. They still are the best positioned net. No football, no rollover. "Dateline" will begin NBC Sunday with a 15-20 minute edge on "60 Minutes" most weeks, but it won't matter. It does just fine against the Eye's stopwatch. "American Dreams" is a genuine family drama...almost seems like "Providence" in a way, but it's set in the '60s (this season's decade of choice) and has a shot to find an audience. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" built a good following in its freshman season and should build on that as well as the "L&O" franchise. "Boomtown" enters only against the fading "The Practice" and should hold its own. NBC Monday starts unchanged with the surprisingly resilient "Fear Factor," "Third Watch," and "Crossing Jordan." The difference for "...Jordan" is "CSI: Miami." It's going to eat into the audience. NBC Tuesday is a little up in the air starting with the new "In-Laws" followed by the "Just Shoot Me." Why aren't these kids switched? Does NBC think "Just Shoot Me" is as unfunny as I do? (Sorry kids, I've tried. Really.) "Frasier" kicks off the 9p hour a little worse for wear (last year was not nearly as funny as previous ones; creator David Angell was killed in the Sep 11 attacks so that could easily account for a fall) with the new and seemingly funny "Hidden Hills" to follow. "Dateline" anchors the 10p slot against "Judging Amy" and "NYPD Blue." All NBC expects here is a solid #3 finish. If either of the two new sitcoms catch, that'd be a positive sign. NBC Wednesday ("Ed," "The West Wing," "Law & Order") and NBC Friday ("Providence," "Dateline," "Law & Order: SVU") are unchanged from a year ago and I expect them all to build on their auds. "Ed" and "Providence" must; they were "on the bubble" come renewal time and need to prove themselves or they will not be returning. NBC Thursday is the key. I've read that Thursday is the most lucrative night for networks since movie studios buy oodles (technical term) of time to promote that weekend's films. (Ever notice that you see more movie spots on Thursday?) "Friends" will fight off "Survivor." Last year it was the #1 show for the first time -- no other show has ever waited eight seasons before hitting the top of the chart. "Scrubs" follows and is obviously being setup to replace "Friends" at 8p. I know it's done well and has received good press...I'm going to give it another try this year. It's important it does do well because "Will & Grace" will need lead-in help to fight off "CSI." "W&G" won't win, but they want a very strong second. "Good Morning Miami" will do just fine ratings-wise (the unwatchable "Inside Schwartz" was technically a Top 20 show last season), but will it bridge that gap to the slightly faltering "ER?" It'll take a hit from "Without A Trace," but nothing that's going to prompt a call for the crash cart. NBC Saturday is all about the NBC Saturday Night Movie. NBC is worried and rightfully so. If "Friends" is indeed over at the end of nine, the scramble begins now. They are, however, set up for this year. With only seven changes on the sked, they've got the best base to solidify their entire sked -- they also have the most to lose. |
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