This (rather long) article is from Media Life Magazine. I couldn't resist posting because it makes me excited for next fall (and the weather isn't even warm yet!).
After two years in which NBC has presented a development slate full of low-buzz disappointments like “Surface,” “E-Ring” and “Hawaii,” as well as some high-buzz flops like “Father of the Pride,” “Joey” and “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart,” it looks as though the network finally has some shows that media buyers like.
In fact, it may have the most-anticipated new program for fall, based on reaction after the broadcast networks previewed their upcoming programs over the past three weeks.
It’s “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” from “West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin and starring “Friends’” Mathew Perry, “Wing’s” Bradley Whitford and Amanda Peet. It follows the behind-the-scenes drama at a “Saturday Night Live”-style variety show, in much the same way Sorkin’s critically acclaimed ABC show “Sports Night” went behind the camera at a “SportsCenter”-like program.
In addition to good writing and strong acting, it also has a unique concept. Media people say the show, which has already received a commitment from NBC, could be fall’s big hit.
That combined with other promising shows on NBC’s slate, as well as “Sunday Night Football,” “My Name is Earl” and surprise game show hit “Deal or No Deal,” could help NBC turn things around after two straight seasons of finishing No. 4 among adults 18-49.
“It looks like NBC is really making an investment to get good programming on the air,” says Shari Anne Brill, vice president and director or programming at Carat. “It’s a little bit of everything.”
Among NBC’s other dramas is “Kidnapped” with Timothy Hutton, which has already been picked up for the fall.
NBC comedies include “Andy Barker, P.I.,” notable for starring former “Late Night” sidekick Andy Richter with a pilot co-written by “Late Night’s” Conan O’Brien.
Rather than relying on one fad to come up with hits, the broadcasters are developing many types of shows this year, with about an equal number of comedies and dramas.
Some are quirky like ABC’s “Desperate Housewives,” others mimic the single-camera style of comedies like NBC’s “The Office,” others unearth one-time big-name stars, and there are even programs that have roots in novelas, the Spanish-language soap operas.
“Everyone’s trying different types of comedies and there are crime shows, character-driven dramas, and plenty of procedurals,” Brill.
“They all want a distinctive voice and are using existing programs as the launching pad. And reality is there, too, but there’s also the realization that scripted programs are the networks’ bread and butter.”
Brad Adgate, senior vice president and corporate research director at Horizon Media, is upbeat about this year’s development.
“The networks are trying different things, but there’s also a large amount of romantic comedies, legal, medical, and police dramas,” he says. “And there are a lot of stars doing TV for the first time like James Woods and Virginia Madsen.”
Perhaps the network with the most buzz is ABC, although more so for its recent trio of hits – “Desperate,” “Lost,” and “Grey’s Anatomy” – than for any specific program previewed at last week’s pre-upfront presentations.
The network has about a dozen dramas in development, including “Hollis and Rae” from Steven Bochco, whose recent misstep on “Commander in Chief” hasn’t smudged his decades-long track record.
ABC also is taking a cue from the enormously popular novelas with “Ugly Betty,” based on a Telemundo hit. It’s also developing soap operas, with dramas such as “Brothers & Sisters” with Calista Flockhart and “Six Degrees” from “Alias’” J. J. Abrams.
Sitcoms include “A Day in the Life” with Wendie Malick, late of the presumably canceled John Stamos comedy “Jake in Progress.”
CBS president Les Moonves has been saying his network is so solid that it has the luxury of being experimental.
Among the dramas CBS is developing is “Edison,” about a con artist starring John Leguizamo that was originally in development for cable network USA. “Ultra” is based on a graphic novel.
CBS is developing several comedies, including “The Big Bang Theory,” from the creators of its “Two and a Half Men,” and “Play Nice” from the executive producers of “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
Fox has a slew of programs in development, including the drama “American Crime” from “CSI” producer Jerry Bruckheimer and comedies like “Julie Reno, Bounty Hunter” with former “Designing Women” star Annie Potts.
Meanwhile, the upcoming CW is solidifying its lineup with programs from both UPN and the WB. But it also has six shows in development, including the highly anticipated “Smallville” spinoff “Aquaman.” Sitcoms in the works are “The Game,” from Kelsey Grammer, executive producer of UPN’s “Girlfriends,” and “She Said/He Said,” with Jessica Simpson’s ex, Nick Lachey.
“The first we’ll see of these shows is the week of May 15,” says Adgate, referring to when the networks hold upfront presentations.
“There may be some announcements before that and there will be some buzz and rumors. But the shows that will be picked up will be made official that week.”
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