NBC benching "Studio 60" and "30 Rock" for now. [Text View]

rhuntington3

02-05-2007, 08:00 PM

Bummer.

NBC plans to pull its critically praised but ratings-challenged comedies Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and 30 Rock from its schedule next month, replacing them with two new series. The Black Donnellys is set to debut on Monday, March 5 at 10:00 p.m., following the network's hit drama Heroes, while Andy Barker, P.I., starring Andy Richter takes over the 9:30 pm. time slot on Thursdays beginning March 15. The network promised that Studio 60 will returned "later this season on a date to be determined." 30 Rock, which recently won a Golden Globe and SAG Award for star Alec Baldwin, is scheduled to return on April 19.

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070202nbc02

terpfan1980

02-05-2007, 08:46 PM

jgerry

02-05-2007, 09:07 PM

I'm completely loving 30 Rock right now, so I'm kind of disappointed it may be axed.

I wish I was more disappointed about Studio 60 but... I'm just not. I think about West Wing every time I watch Studio 60, and it just doesn't have that same magic.

gchance

02-05-2007, 09:12 PM

I wish I was more disappointed about Studio 60 but... I'm just not. I think about West Wing every time I watch Studio 60, and it just doesn't have that same magic.

Why not judge Studio 60 on its own merits, instead of saying "Well, it's not West Wing"? I've never seen The West Wing.

Greg

murgatroyd

02-05-2007, 09:14 PM

Why indeed.

Jan

Michelle5150

02-05-2007, 09:29 PM

That's irritating. :mad:

Though I am looking forward to Andy Richter's show, as long as it's more like ..Controls the Universe then Quintuplets.

wprager

02-05-2007, 09:45 PM

The Black Donnelys? Hmm, is that like Black Frasier? I'll echo jgerry's sentiment: really enjoying 30 Rock now, strangely indifferent about S60. And, yes, it is fair to judge it against WW and SN. Most of us started watching it because it was created by Sorkin. If it wasn't for that, we would probably not be watching.

nedthelab

02-05-2007, 09:58 PM

Studio 60 BFD... Rock, always the good ones that get wrecked - way to go NBC

sonnik

02-05-2007, 09:59 PM

I've noticed West Wing fans are disappointed, whereas people who never watched West Wing really like it.

I've watched both. They are more or less the same show with a different context.

I like "30 Rock" a lot. It will get some more exposure with less competition, though less people will be watching in April.

Neenahboy

02-05-2007, 10:06 PM

I'll give "The Black Donnellys" a chance, but it really sounds like something HBO or Showtime should've picked up instead. Just can't imagine traditional mob speak adjusting all that well to the standards that govern network television.

cwoody222

02-05-2007, 10:14 PM

I totally expected this for Studio 60... I don't expect it to be renewed. Although personally it saddens me.

But 30 Rock has some decent buzz right now... NBC is silly to remove that one right now.

terpfan1980

02-05-2007, 10:19 PM

I was never a West Wing fan, but I do admit that I was a fan of Sports Night. Either way I'm disappointed in the inconsistent (some would say very spotty) product that is Studio 60. I really, really wanted to like it more than I have. I loved the first (premiere) episode, enjoyed a few others too, but the last few episodes have been so blah to me that I can't come up with that much feeling of loss if the show is gone.

I don't remember Sports Night as never having had a bad episode. I don't think there many that were poor in my mind, but I doubt I couldn't watch and say that a few just weren't that good for me. Studio 60 has been so hit and miss that it just doesn't even seem like a Sports Night relative to me.

marksman

02-05-2007, 10:37 PM

Seems like they indirectly mentioned this a few weeks ago or last month. IN USA Today I remember an article that mentioned that Studio 60 would be replaced by the Black Donnelys. I wonder if they moved up the date for that switch.

drew2k

02-05-2007, 10:40 PM

Overall, I think there's been a few more misses than hits, so I'm not sure if I will miss Studio 60 comes back.

30 Rock, on the other hand, makes me laugh each week, so I''m glad there's a return date already.

getbak

02-06-2007, 01:04 AM

This doesn't seem like bad news for the shows. They're going to be on for the rest of February sweeps (I assume), then going away for a few weeks, then coming back for May sweeps (30 Rock, at least).

Most shows won't be airing new episodes during March and April anyway, so it's either a new series in the time slots, or re-runs.

TAsunder

02-06-2007, 01:30 AM

Revolutionary idea... they should put studio 60 and 30 rock and SNL on the same night. Think about it. Genius or idiocy?

bareyb

02-06-2007, 02:22 AM

I'm a little bummed. Moreso over 30 rock. I do like Studio 60 but unfortunately I've seen every single episode of the West Wing (some more than once) and Sorkin is rehashing a lot of the old bits and only slightly re-tooling them. I recognize a lot of the gaffs and tonites episode with the snake, the badger, and the coyote was too much too soon. His pacing in this show is very similar to West Wing as is the banter back and forth. Very Sorkinesque, but also very familiar. Still. I do think Sorkin is funny and even though it's not exactly "fresh" I still like the show and I hope it returns. 30 Rock is a winner in my book. Then again I like Macintoshes and Triumph Motorcycles. I'm not exactly the common denominator they are looking for. :rolleyes:

gastrof

02-06-2007, 03:12 AM

...Andy Barker, P.I., starring Andy Richter takes over the 9:30 pm. time slot on Thursdays beginning March 15.

Have they gone out of their MINDS?

*Gastrof begins wondering what embarassing photos Richter must have of certain NBC big wigs from back in his LATE NIGHT days....*

Uncle Briggs

02-06-2007, 03:57 AM

Though I am looking forward to Andy Richter's show, as long as it's more like ..Controls the Universe then Quintuplets.Me too. I think he's funny in anything.

laststarfighter

02-06-2007, 04:00 AM

This is what happens to shows that mock NBC. :D

getbak

02-06-2007, 04:31 AM

This is what happens to shows that mock NBC. :D
They get saved for sweeps?

smak

02-06-2007, 04:56 AM

Have they gone out of their MINDS?

*Gastrof begins wondering what embarassing photos Richter must have of certain NBC big wigs from back in his LATE NIGHT days....*

Why? Andy Richter controls the universe was one of the best comedies of this decade.

-smak-

FilmCritic3000

02-06-2007, 05:10 AM

Why? Andy Richter controls the universe was one of the best comedies of this decade.

-smak-

Indeed it was.

Also, I heart Paget Brewster. She's awesome and was very excellent on that show. So was Irene Molloy.

Jesda

02-06-2007, 07:50 AM

I didnt even know Studio 60 was a comedy until reading this thread.

Marketing failure?

Gunnyman

02-06-2007, 08:01 AM

Bizzare point to ponder....
Sorkin was better when he was taking drugs.....

Fahtrim

02-06-2007, 09:29 AM

Why not judge Studio 60 on its own merits, instead of saying "Well, it's not West Wing"? I've never seen The West Wing.

Greg
On it's own merits, Studio 60 sucked last week and I don't have high hopes for the episode from last night that is on the TIVO.

Let me ask.............is America buzzing over last night's episode as the NBC promo stated?

naiLS1

02-06-2007, 10:44 AM

I didnt even know Studio 60 was a comedy until reading this thread.

Marketing failure?

Funny, I didn't know it was a comedy either!

mrpantstm

02-06-2007, 11:00 AM

Awful. My Name Is Earl, The Office, Scrubs, 30 Rock is/was a great lineup. F*ckin network monkeys.

TAsunder

02-06-2007, 11:09 AM

I guess I was in the minority... I liked quintuplets. Especially the egotistical kid who always said, "you likey?"

mitchb2

02-06-2007, 11:33 AM

I

I think about West Wing every time I watch Studio 60, and it just doesn't have that same magic.

I agree. The show feels to me like Sorkin just tried to apply a template and expect it to work.

Supfreak26

02-06-2007, 11:55 AM

I guess I was in the minority... I liked quintuplets. Especially the egotistical kid who always said, "you likey?"

Me too! It was a silly show but I always got a laugh out of it. My wife and I still say "you likey" from time to time. :)

waldingrl

02-06-2007, 12:33 PM

I won't be sad if Studio 60 goes, I never could get into it.

I'll be really sad if 30 Rock left. It's not a powerhouse comedy, but it always makes me laugh.

rkester

02-06-2007, 12:48 PM

This is the suck. I love S60 and next to Heroes, it's one of my faves right now. Shame on you NBC. Shame on you.

whitson77

02-06-2007, 02:24 PM

I like Studio 60 but I am watching me some Andy Barker PI

MikeMar

02-06-2007, 02:31 PM

TAsunder

02-06-2007, 02:39 PM

The premise of andy richter's show sounds entertaining. The black donnellies, not so much. I thought I already saw that late last year, it was called the departed.

DreadPirateRob

02-06-2007, 02:41 PM

sonnik

02-06-2007, 03:27 PM

Revolutionary idea... they should put studio 60 and 30 rock and SNL on the same night. Think about it. Genius or idiocy?

Not a bad idea from a "fans of the genre" perspective... and as the people who watch these shows probably have some sort of DVR.

However, the network guys still schedule from a "Who will be home to watch T.V. perspective."

They'd put infomercials on Friday/Saturday and to a lesser extent on Sunday if they wouldn't get too much heat for it.

gastrof

02-06-2007, 03:31 PM

Why? Andy Richter controls the universe was one of the best comedies of this decade.

-smak-

And of course, it's still on the air producing new episodes? :p

getreal

02-06-2007, 03:32 PM

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 30 Rock is one of my fav shows on right now, best comedy after Office and Earl

Alec Baldwin is comedy GOLD!! GOLD JERRY PURE GOLD!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
+1 :up: :up: to 30 Rock -- it ROCKS!
:down: :down: to Studio 60 -- it's so "schmunny" (as in, the opposite of funny)
;)

mwhip

02-06-2007, 03:52 PM

And of course, it's still on the air producing new episodes? :p

It would be if it was not on FOX. Actually it probably would have stayed around at least a year if the current president of FOX was president then.

jerobi

02-06-2007, 05:00 PM

Weak sauce. That's terrible news.

30 Rock is the best new comedy, easy. I'm behind on my S60 eps, but the half dozen I've seen have been worthwhile.

HoldenBanky

02-06-2007, 09:25 PM

Awful. My Name Is Earl, The Office, Scrubs, 30 Rock is/was a great lineup. F*ckin network monkeys.

I watch the first 3 shows every week and never watch 30 Rock. I gave it a couple of episodes but if I wanted bad SNL type writing I would watch reruns of SNL where Tina Fey was the writer.

trainman

02-06-2007, 11:32 PM

They'd put infomercials on Friday/Saturday and to a lesser extent on Sunday if they wouldn't get too much heat for it.

Sunday is the biggest night for overall viewership, so prime-time infomercials are somewhat unlikely that night. (That's part of the reason why network prime-time is 4 hours long on Sunday and 3 hours long every other night.)

bullitt

02-06-2007, 11:45 PM

I wish I could say I was broken up about this news, but the last few episodes of Studio 60 just haven't done it for me. As someone else said in one of the threads, it almost seemed like Sorkin was mailing it in because of the lack of response to the show.

I hoped for better. I really enjoyed the first few episodes, but things have been so spotty since that I don't hold much hope for the show to be renewed nor to even get better for that matter. :(

There is great potential but they are bogged down in this Harriet / Matthew Perry thing. I always got the impression they were trying too hard to be "cool" and it came off as being forced and not natural. I loved "West Wing" but always found the dialogue a bit too snappy for real life circumstances.

madscientist

02-07-2007, 12:09 AM

I watch the first 3 shows every week and never watch 30 Rock. I gave it a couple of episodes but if I wanted bad SNL type writing I would watch reruns of SNL where Tina Fey was the writer.Shoulda stuck with it longer. The early eps were definitely rocky and SNL-esque, but the show has grown a lot. FYI, if it helps you judge, I like exactly one episode of SNL this season (Justin Timberlake). The rest were mediocre at best, and execrable more often than not.

cmontyburns

02-07-2007, 12:13 AM

My guess is that unless Andy Barker comes in and crushes 30 Rock's ratings, 30 Rock is safe. It's widely acknowledged to have hit its stride, Alec Baldwin is getting nominated for awards, and NBC seems to really want to make a go of a Thursday night comedy block again. Actually, if Barker does well, I wouldn't be surprised to find Scrubs being the odd show out next season.

atrac

02-07-2007, 12:26 AM

But 30 Rock has some decent buzz right now... NBC is silly to remove that one right now.

Complete absurdity. People were coming up to me at work last Friday telling me how much they loved the previous night's episode of "30 Rock" (they knew I was championing it since its premiere). Not that my work (an ad agency) represents a decent slice of the general population, but GEEZ NBC...you are BLOWING IT!

Lee L

02-07-2007, 08:57 AM

NoThru22

02-07-2007, 09:37 AM

I am pretty sure this is Scrubs last season anyway
Don't be so sure, the showrunners aren't.

IndyJones1023

02-07-2007, 10:14 AM

I agree with most everyone else. 60 is getting lamer while 30 is getting awesomer.

TAsunder

02-07-2007, 10:32 AM

Regardless of whether they were bad or not, I don't think any 30 rock episode has resembled SNL. Except possibly the first, which I didn't see.

NoThru22

02-07-2007, 11:09 AM

The first few episodes of 30 Rock were horrific and cheesy. That being said, I will give it another shot. I guess I'm one of the few people who really enjoys Studio 60, but I've never seen The West Wing or Sports Night.

TAsunder

02-07-2007, 12:58 PM

I enjoy studio 60 in general, although some episodes are really awful. I liked (not loved) sports night and strongly disliked the west wing. In case that makes you want to see sports night... which it should, since I have impeccable taste.

aindik

02-07-2007, 01:56 PM

NBC seems to really want to make a go of a Thursday night comedy block again.

It would only be a one hour block, starting next season, assuming a drama at 10:00.

Didn't NBC announce that the first hour of prime time on NBC will be unscripted shows every night next season?

cherry ghost

02-07-2007, 02:17 PM

cmontyburns

02-07-2007, 02:20 PM

It would only be a one hour block, starting next season, assuming a drama at 10:00.

Didn't NBC announce that the first hour of prime time on NBC will be unscripted shows every night next season?

Something like that, but my guess is that's only going to be their response when they have holes in the schedule to fill. And Thursday is likely too lucrative (and prestigious) to punt on in that way, even if they come out ahead with reality, dollars to eyeballs.

aindik

02-07-2007, 02:36 PM

Every night but Thursday.

They actually said that? Interesting.

rhuntington3

02-07-2007, 02:42 PM

They actually said that? Interesting.

And scary.

mwhip

02-07-2007, 02:45 PM

They actually said that? Interesting.

Oh yeah because they cost a lot less to make. This was part of a rant on Studio 60 recently.

The issue with this is Friday Night Lights. The show is getting good ratings on Wednesday's it is of course getting slaughtered by American Idol but it is 2nd to idol in that time slot. This show would be better served as a 9pm show anyway I just hope it makes the cut for next season.

mwhip

02-07-2007, 02:56 PM

And scary.

Why? NBC is here to make money and they are doing as well as they could. If I was a major stockholder I would want them to make as much as possible as long as they are not scarficing quality. I think next year we will see them drop a Law and Order and Studio 60. Possibly Medium but some of the new shows like Raines and Teh Black Donneyl's are not going to be on the schedule. Their schedule will look some thing like

Monday

8PM - Unscripted show
9PM - Heroes
10PM - Medium or Raines or other Drama

Tuesday

8PM - Unsripted show
9PM - Law and Order
10PM - Medium or Raines or other Drama

Wednesday

8PM - Unsripted show
9PM - Friday Night Lights
10PM - Medium, Raines or other Drama

Thursday

Same except Scrubs or 30 Rock could be not on. If that is the case look for Earl and The Office to move to 9pm and unscripted take over the 8PM

Friday

The same as now

Sunday

Football night in America

cherry ghost

02-07-2007, 03:03 PM

They actually said that? Interesting.

The day after Zucker made the comment about going all unscripted in the first hour, Kevin Reilly said that Earl and Office would definitely not be moved.

aindik

02-07-2007, 03:08 PM

Oh yeah because they cost a lot less to make. This was part of a rant on Studio 60 recently.

I meant, did they actually say "except for Thursdays." Apparently they did, after the initial announcement.

cherry ghost

02-07-2007, 03:11 PM

Why? NBC is here to make money and they are doing as well as they could. If I was a major stockholder I would want them to make as much as possible as long as they are not scarficing quality. I think next year we will see them drop a Law and Order and Studio 60. Possibly Medium but some of the new shows like Raines and Teh Black Donneyl's are not going to be on the schedule. Their schedule will look some thing like

Monday

8PM - Unscripted show
9PM - Heroes
10PM - Medium or Raines or other Drama

Tuesday

8PM - Unsripted show
9PM - Law and Order
10PM - Medium or Raines or other Drama

Wednesday

8PM - Unsripted show
9PM - Friday Night Lights
10PM - Medium, Raines or other Drama

Thursday

Same except Scrubs or 30 Rock could be not on. If that is the case look for Earl and The Office to move to 9pm and unscripted take over the 8PM

Friday

The same as now

Sunday

Football night in America

FNL is not currently up against AI, but in your schedule it would be.

mwhip

02-07-2007, 03:20 PM

FNL is not currently up against AI, but in your schedule it would be.

Tonight FNL is on at 8PM and Idol is on at 8PM with Bones to follow.

TAsunder

02-07-2007, 03:50 PM

Hmm... I remember setting idol to record at 9pm (8pm locally), after bones. Did something change overnight?

cherry ghost

02-07-2007, 04:12 PM

Tonight FNL is on at 8PM and Idol is on at 8PM with Bones to follow.

If you say so.

mwhip

02-07-2007, 04:19 PM

If you say so.

I just looked and you are right. When did they move Idol to 9pm?

TAsunder

02-07-2007, 04:35 PM

It was on at 9pm wednesday of last week too.

aindik

02-07-2007, 04:37 PM

I think Idol has been Tuesday at 8(ET) and Wednesday at 9(ET) for a while now. I remember last season it used to conflict with Lost.

NinerK

02-07-2007, 05:36 PM

The premise of andy richter's show sounds entertaining. The black donnellies, not so much. I thought I already saw that late last year, it was called the departed.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

The Departed = Black Donnelleys.....not so much. :p