There is a general consensus among anyone who is everyone that NBC is a dead network walking, which makes me sort of sad. I mean, call me lame, but NBC’s always been my favorite network. I don’t know, blame it on their comedies, which I’m addicted to, or the fact that when I was little I was in love with their local weatherman, who would go grocery shopping where we would and had a big, funny mustache.
If there’s one good thing about failure, though, it’s that it gives NBC a chance to give itself a big, sexy makeover. Trim your procedural dramas — we don’t need two different Law & Orders. Get rid of that awful new marriage counselor show with Jerry Seinfeld. We don’t need more of the same old procedural and reality show boring formula. If people wanted that, the other networks have those bases covered. No, what NBC should invest in is something totally, completely new. NBC should invest in being the most innovative network basic access television has ever seen.
Right now NBC is just another dime-a-dozen network that had the misfortune of making some very bad choices. There’s no point in them trying to copy their competitors — ABC has a corner market on weepy dramas, CBS has procedurals and sitcoms, and FOX has the grab-bag of whatever’s left over. But the one thing none of these networks have is the nuts to break new ground, cable-style. Viewers are going to cable. Awards are going to cable. If no other network is going to emulate the edginess of cable, why can’t NBC?
And forget your JJ Abrams and Joss Whedons. They’re great, don’t get me wrong, but let the other networks fight over them. According to my math — that I have no actual factual evidence before — there are roughly a bazillion people in New York and LA trying to make it as television writers and have ideas for new shows. Now chances are a bunch of them suck, but chances are also good that there are ideas in there. And maybe they’re ideas networks haven’t heard because these people just never got in the game, or maybe the were always pushed away as just a little too out there or a little too much of a risk.
I mean, what does NBC have to lose, really?
Clacked by Julia Hass 
on Feb 03, 2010 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
They should try something new and different! Maybe a variety show on everynight of the week at 10?
;o)
I would agree that the first thing NBC needs is a whole lot of new shows. And I’m on board with taking a chance on some new writers. The next JJ, or Shonda, is out there somewhere, with an idea.
Where we really start to differ is your emulating cable idea. More specifically, this ground breaking cable you speak of. How are you defining the edgy, ground breaking, cable? What shows fall into that group? Because, really, I’d submit that cable isn’t really that ground breaking, and it’s the last thing NBC needs to start emulating.
I’ll assume that you are speaking of shows like Mad Men, or Damages, because they get all those awards, and television critics love to go on and on about how great they are. The thing is though, nobody watches those shows. If you look at what is most popular on cable, it really isn’t ground breaking at all. The Closer? Pretty standard police procedural? Burn Notice? It’s a spy-procedural. And if you really want to get into the numbers, cable NCIS repeats are watched my more people than most of the ground breaking shows. Hell, the people that make Damages and Mad Men would kill for the numbers that Pawn Stars gets. Pawn Stars. History Channel is making that show with the change they found in the couch. Ground breaking cable shows are successful because of the lowered bar cable offers. Most of them wouldn’t last on the big networks because they simply don’t have the audience.
You could actually argue that NBC is already emulating cable. For whatever reason, they keep renewing low-rated shows that win awards, get lots of pub from television critics, or make a lot of internet noise. And they keep sinking further and further behind because of it. 30 Rock is a great example. It only ever approaches successful numbers when Michael Scott is kind enough to hand off a ready-made audience. Otherwise, good as it may be, it’s a ratings dog.
Parks and Recreation is another. It’s spent the bulk of this season looking up at the Kath & Kim ratings from last year, but critics just love it, and it’s been renewed. How do you suppose that’s gonna turn out? And like most of the internet, I love Chuck, but even that one should be on very shaky ground. Then there is Heroes… if they renew Heroes again…
You have to remember that unscrewing NBC means getting numbers, and getting out of fourth place. It doesn’t mean making more critically acclaimed shows that nobody watches. The fact of the matter is that right now the most successful show the network has is The Biggest Loser.
NBC doesn’t need edgy cable style shows. It needs legitimate hits. People love to shake their fist at procedurals, and then CBS puts NCIS up against the Idol juggernaut, and NBC’s #1 show and knocks down 20 million viewers. It’s not sexy, but it’s successful. That’s the business NBC used to be in, and if they are to get unscrewed, it’s the business they need to return to.
Hard to argue with Brett here. I specifically don’t think the idea of triming procedurals will work, because people watch procedurals. I mean, as much as I’ve always hated them, if you take a look at my TiVo Season Pass list, I have started watching a bunch of them, too. (I blame Bones, which was the show that started pulling me in).
Are you saying cancel Law and Order?!?! How dare you! The only shows they should keep ar the Law and Orders, everything else can be thrown out.
However NBC tried something new, it was called Kings, it failed horribly. The problem is no one is watching the network, so they need to show ads for new shows on other networks besides NBC. Showing ads to no one won’t increase ratings.
They want to increase viewers, fire Zucker, that would make some news and die hard TV fans might return.
With eighteen pilots ordered for next season, it looks like they’re already following your suggestion. I assume they’ll all be thrown at the wall with minimal promotion to see what sticks, and the NBC brass will wonder why they remain in fourth place.
Zucker will remain at NBCU and his salary will continue to increase until short-term profits matter less than long-run sustainability.
They could start by resurrecting the best cop show ever, Life….., as well as Pushing Daisies, and Dirty Sexy Money.
Aw, I like this post. NBC was always one of my favorites too. I should also add that I have high hopes for their new game show with Guy Fieri called Minute to Win It. It’s premiering March 14th and the ads that I’ve seen on this facebook page make it look pretty cool–https://www.facebook.com/minutetowinit?ref=