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A few innovative shows will make the cut
By Kevin Downey
"Dare to be different'' has never been the motto of the larger TV networks, and this was especially so when it came time to put forth their mid-season entries.
Things are different this season.
This year’s mid-season shows-- a mix of reality shows, mini-series, and animation-- mark an admirable turning point for the big networks as they take cues from smaller networks and cablers in their attempt to gain audience share.
But as history reveals, daring does not always breed success. If it did, there would be a lot more of it.
Though it's still early, it is quite apparent the ratio of bombs to winners won't vary much from previous years, with the bombs way out ahead.
Of the shows that have bowed so far, three are shaping up to be outright hits, two are already gone, and the rest face uncertain futures.
Most of the tryouts are carefully wedged between two hits to build interest and lead viewers to the show when it moves to another night.
If a show can hold onto the audience of its established lead-in, it has a good chance to stay on the air or take the next step, which is to hold its own on another night.
"The mid-season lineup this year is stronger than it’s been in the past," says Tom Watson of Initiative Media. "If a show does well, it gives the networks added confidence going into the fall. But the fall season is a whole other crapshoot. No matter how daring the content, a dull show is still a dull show."
"Networks are trying to be different like NBC did with ‘God, the Devil, and Bob,’ but advertisers wouldn’t touch that with a 10-foot pole," says Shari Anne Brill, director of programming services at Carat. "When you’re a smaller network you do more daring things to be noticed, but when you’re a big network you still have to do things to get noticed."
Already Gone:
An early
death has befallen two mid-seasoners, NBC’s "God, the Devil, and
Bob," and UPN’s "Secret Agent Man."
Hampered
by 22 NBC affiliates’ refusal to air the controversial show and
advertiser fallout, "God" seemed doomed from the get-go. But it
was horrid
ratings that finally did it in. Its last episode ranked No. 80, pulling in
fewer than 6 million viewers.
"Secret Agent
Man," from the producers of "Men in Black," held promise,
but it barely registered 2 million viewers, making it one of the
least-watched network programs. The show has been replaced with repeats of
"Moesha," a better ratings grabber to help the better-performing
newcomer "The Beat" at 9 p.m.
It’s Just a Matter of Time:
Another ABC entry,
"Then Came You," faces an early cancellation. The show, about a
May-December romance, did well on a so-so night following a so-so show,
"Two Guys and a Girl." In its first week, it held onto 95
percent of its lead's audience.
In its second
week, however, it only held 82 percent. To make the situation even
grimmer, its 6.1 rating is especially weak against such ratings
lightweights as "City of Angels," "Dawson’s
Creek" and "Dateline."
NBC’s
"Battery Park," from producer Gary David Goldberg of "Spin
City," was reviewed by Media Life’s Andrew Wallenstein who said,
"This ‘Barney-Millier’-ish sitcom is just terrible."
Ratings have
reflected that sour note. The show, about a New York detective, has the
distinction of losing 27 percent of powerful lead-in "Frasier’s"
audience. Despite pulling in 15 million viewers last week, its inability
to hold onto viewers sentences it to an early grave.
Have a Chance:
It’s too early to tell
whether ABC’s "Wonderland" will be able to hold up against the
pressure of its Thursday competitor, "ER."
"It’s a
gutsy move to put the show up against ‘ER,’" says Watson, but he
says the show has a shot.
"‘ER’ has been plagued by having re-runs
throughout the season. NBC does comparatively poorly when it repeats, so
‘Wonderland’ gives ‘ER’ viewers something to watch."
The show, about a
Bellevue-like psychiatric hospital, lost 45 percent of lead-in
"Millionaire’s" audience, with viewership dropping off
markedly in the second half hour. While the full hour beat a repeat of
"ER," the test for the show will be tomorrow’s episode against
an original "ER."
ABC’s "Making the
Band" premiered to a stellar audience of 11.6 million viewers.
The reality show, which follows the making of a boy
band from the team behind MTV’s "The Real World," seemed
destined to be a hit. ABC’s attempt at teen reality, however, aired
right after "Millionaire."
In its first solo
outing last week, "Band" mustered a rating of 5.6, a drop off of
36 percent from its premiere. But, the show held onto 92 percent of its
lead-in.
Saddled by a
drooping "TGIF" line-up, the show will either be moved or axed.
Should do well:
"Falcone"
premiered last night on CBS, and ratings will be out later today.
The show, based on the movie "Donnie Brasco," has generated a
lot of buzz and takes its cue from HBO’s winning "The
Sopranos."
In an unusual move
designed to grab the attention of viewers, the show will be run as a
mini-series, airing most nights through April 12.
Back in the Fall:
Though
generally panned by critics, NBC’s "Daddio" held onto 94
percent of lead-in "Friends."
More promising, its hold improved in its second week,
helping the show become a top-10 fixture in its short life.
Fox’s
"Titus" helped solidify Monday night as a battleground for
comedies. In it’s first outing, "Titus" pulled in the best
Monday premiere rating of any Fox show, with a 9.1/13. It helped the
network beat CBS, the reigning champ of the night.
In its second
week, "Titus" ranked as Fox’s highest- rated show next to
"Ally McBeal."
"The
Beat," from the creators of "Homicide," has provedto
be another winner for UPN this year.
The show, about two New York beat cops, catapulted UPN’s
otherwise lackluster Tuesday, garnering 3 million viewers. It managed
nearly the
same level with its second episode.
-Kevin Downey is a staff writer for Media Life.
