As of the end of February/March of 2005, there seems to be a changing landscape
in TV. There always seems to be a struggle between the networks as to which
network will make the most money out of their commercial advertising. Have
the tides
turned over the past couple of years. The webmaster will now give his own synopsizes
based on trends and how networks are doing.
Hits: It truly is “America’s Most Watched Network.” The best
sitcom that’s saying goodbye this season: “Everybody Loves Raymond,” the
two highest rated reality TV programs: “The Amazing Race” and “Survivor.” And
least not I forget the dominating drama series winning almost every single night
when a new episode appears: Monday “CSI: Miami,” Wednesday “CSI:
NY,” and the top-rated show, Thursday “CSI.”
Staples: Shows like “Cold Case” and “Without a Trace” seem
to be doing well.
CBS kind of gets good ratings with it’s late night programming…I
think that Craig Ferguson (CBS Late, Late Show) can detract viewers away from
Conan O’Brien (NBC Late Night).
CBS Sports: This network is truly dominating the airwaves including in sports
with exclusive coverage of the greatest sporting event known as March Madness
(three weekends of exciting college basketball with 64 teams trying to win
a championship). In addition CBS Sports covers: SEC College Football, the Masters,
and the NFL (with coverage of the AFC).
A Miss: Their news coverage is the best and worst. TV news magazine shows like “60
Minutes” and “48 Hours” give decent coverage while the national
evening news is at its worst with the departure of Dan Rather from CBS News.
Thoughts: CBS will stay strong and remain in the number 1 position for a long
time to come. Sure one of the other networks might win a month, but CBS will
still remain strong.
Hits: Now if you consider “American Idol,” “reality TV” then
it’s truly the #1 reality show on the air. “American Idol” has
kept FOX in a stronghold. I don’t even watch the show. However, I know
there was a huge controversy when some guy named “Mario” left the
show. That “news” made front pages and was talked about in the local
media outlets. Why did Mario leave? (Personally…I don’t care) That’s
how powerful the show is.
Staples: The other two dramas that have gained a cult following have been “The
OC” (for the pre-pubescent teens and also for older teens as well). Every
week on TV, I just keep on seeing or hearing about Mischa, Mischa, Mischa Barton
(I am so tired of her…She can’t even act. She’s just another
pretty face in Hollywood). Then, my new favorite addiction “24” with
Keifer Sutherland playing Jack Bauer (the best TV character ever due to all the
insane stuff and stunts he does). Oh yeah, “That 70s Show” has been
on the air of about 7 seasons (I didn’t notice).
Animation: Animation has been a crucial part of FOX. “The Simpsons” remain
a FOX staple due to their fresh, witty take on popular culture. Due to DVD sales, “Family
Guy” remains on the air. Plus, staples like “King of the Hill” and “Futurama” still
have an audience.
Fox Sports: Coverage of MLB and most of the playoffs, and the first half of
the NASCAR season. Most importantly, FOX covers the NFL (mainly NFC games).
Misses: Every reality TV show ever aired on FOX. The majority of them were
complete utter failures and flops.
Thoughts: FOX has lost that rebellious edge to the network. I remember programming
like “Married with Children” and “In Living Color” that
helped make FOX a renegade network with a cool edge to it.
Currently, FOX features programming that just sells mostly to the young demographic
by placing advertisements in the shows like “American Idol” and “The
OC.” The show, “The OC” has made so many pop culture references
(like 100 per episode) that some college kids made up a drinking game for every
time there’s a pop culture reference on the show. I guess its bottom’s
up or in this bottoms way down.
Hits: The guilty pleasure of the year is “Desperate Housewives.” That
show is full of mature adults just getting really horny and taking off their
clothes and just “doin it.”
“
Lost,” a show that has a racially diverse cast in which strangers are stranded
on an island. I never thought the concept would work, but I was wrong. The show
still remains fresh and there’s an audience for it.
Staples: All of its Reality TV programs: there on like the 8th season of “The
Bachelor(ette)??” Then there’s EXTRME MAKEOVER: Let’s make
an ugly person beautiful through plastic surgery. But what…there’s
more: EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION in which a group of people (some has-been
celebrities) tear down a home and rebuild a new home.
Then there’s the SWAP shows…let’s swipe BOSSES & WIVES.
PURE GENIUS (even though I will not watch it) swap a middle class suburban white
mom with a black mom from the projects (now let’s see the differences in
race and class). By the way, no more “NYPD Blue” on the air for
ABC.
ABC Sports: Covering the NBA and some of the NBA playoffs (ABC Sports has the
worst coverage I have ever seen for the NBA playoffs. Game 1 on ESPN, Game
2 on NBA TV, and Game 3 on ABC…As a viewer, I am so confused and can’t
watch the games due to the crazy scheduling). Oh yeah, golf’s British
Open, “Monday
Night Football,” and the NHL (if they were actually playing…right
now).
Misses: News coverage…Other than the Michael Jackson interview done by
the British/Indian reporter…ABC doesn’t have great news coverage.
Late night…Does anyone really watch “Jimmy Kimmel?”
Thoughts: There are only three periods of ABC that I can remember.
“
TGIF”: Great programming that the whole family can watch like “Boy
Meets World” and “Family Matters>’
“
Millionaire”: ABC trying to keep the hot quiz how fresh for about two
years with that same, great formula (Regis and 15 questions to answer for $1,000,000).
“
Re-birth” (ABC is back). ABC is beating both NBC and FOX at creating new,
great edgy shows. “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives” have
been run-away hits for the network. “Alias” has found a good audience
for the network. ABC is going back to sitcoms in a way, but not really thanks
to the overwhelming showing of reality TV programs.
In addition, mid season shows like “Boston Legal” and the new show “Grey’s
Anatomy” looks like they are going to stay on the air. The network looks
like its getting better.
Hit: The only true hit on NBC has remained “ER.” Personally, “ER” has
a cult following to the point where NBC doesn’t even have to advertise
the commercials for the new episodes. As long as if an “ER” viewer
knows when “ER” will be on the air, then plans are arranged to
watch the new episodes. Even though I must admit though that the writing is
sub-par
most of the times.
Staples: The “Law and Order” series. NBC at one time in February
showed 17 hours of “Law and Order” in one week alone. By the way,
there are four “Law and Order” series: “Law and Order,” “Law
and Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” and
the new series “Law and Order: Trail by Jury.” Not only are Law and
Order on NBC…these shows are constantly on reruns on the TNT and USA
cable outlets.
Shows like “Scrubs,” “Fear Factor,” “Las Vegas,” and “Fear
Factor” have found a somewhat stable audience.
NBC is still reigns in late night programming during the weekdays with Jay
Leno and Conan o’ Brian. And on Saturday Night with the constant great comedy
sketch show know as “SNL.”
NBC Sports: Other than the Olympics and Bob Costas. What else does NBC have?
I just forgot…I must admit that NBC has the best coverage of golf (PGA
Tour). Other than the Olympics and golf NBC covers NASCAR and Arena Football
(?) Worst of all…the biggest flop in sports…What did you get when
you combine pro wrestling and football: XFL, the worst “professional league” ever.
(Vince McMahon, chairman of the WWE, knows how to market a product like the XFL
very well. However, the league had terrible players and the scrappy football.
Pee-football was better than the XFL…ZING!)
Misses: All the new shows aired on NBC the past 2 years. The only shows that
have survived the past 2 years on NBC have been “Las Vegas” and “Joey.” The
reality TV programs have not been doing so well especially “The Apprentice” (the
third season is worst season and has the worst contestants ever).
Thoughts: NBC is just plainly just atrocious. It has decent programming, but
the other three networks have way better programming.
NBC had it all in the mid 1990s with great sports, sitcoms, and dramas. Now
it’s
just a mere shadow of itself.
Dramas: The only real drama(s) this network has ratings with is “ER” and
all the other “Law and Order” series.
Sitcoms: The demise came with the departure of “Seinfeld.” The ultimate
demise for sitcoms in the network came when both “Friends” and “Frasier” went
off the air in 2004.
Sports: Other than the two week coverage of the world facing each other…NBC
really only has great golf coverage.
NBC is trying to bank on new shows like “Medium” and “The Office” in
order to bring back some consistency to the troubled peacock. Eventually, NBC
will bounce back. The real question is…When?