To paraphrase a famous quote, rumors of Studio 60's death may have been greatly exaggerated.An NBC spokesman says that not only is the show not canceled, it is actually profitable, and last week's ratings were up from the week before. The network likes the show, and they are going over the ratings numbers, but it looks like the show would be moved to a different time slot instead of just canceled outright.
One thing the article says that I don't agree with is this: if Friday Night Lights got great ratings last night (haven't seen the numbers yet), that could spell trouble for Studio 60. But that's not true. CSI: Miami was a repeat last night, so you would expect whatever NBC had in the time slot to do well, or better. Though if the numbers aren't great...now that would be interesting, and might prove it's a time slot thing and not the show itself.
[via TV Tattle]
Update: Friday Night Lights got its best ratings yet.
Seven greatest hand cannons in TV history
TV Squad previews NBC's new shows (part 1)
TV 101: How ESPN controls the world and what the other networks can learn from it
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-31-2006 @ 1:17PM
Grim said...
Friday Night Lights did marginally better than the last Studio 60, but, against a repeat of CSI:Miami and a blowout on MNF, I seriously doubt that the jump was big enough to cause any talk of permanent moves.
I like both shows and in an ideal world would want both to survive, but I'm not sure either will.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 1:39PM
jake said...
It's not a timeslot thing because Medium has done very well in that time slot. They should move Studio 60 to Wed at 9 or 10 and move Law and Order back to Wed to provide a lead in for Studio 60. The audience for Heroes is just not the same as Studio 60.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 1:41PM
Cinesister said...
This article mentions a point that I think many people overlook when it comes to TV ratings, and one I've mentioned before on this site regarding Studio 60 - it's not necessarily the numbers that matter, it's the quality of those numbers.
A smaller number of loyal 18-49 year old viewers who are smart, discerning and cultural trend-setters is often more desirable (depending on the circumstances) than a large but fickle audience who will jump ship easily (reality shows, Lost...) and are less sought-after by advertisers.
NBC is right to be seeking the prestige of higher quality drama which, although not to everyone's taste, seems to be watched by people who love it and hate in equal measure (if only so those who hate it can then go on the internet and complain about how VERY much they hate it). At least Sorkin's created a show which gets people passionate, and those shows are often disappointingly difficult to find on television.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 2:44PM
MrsEldubya said...
The show is profitable because it draws a rich audience. They even talked about it on the show, sort of. The average income for the viewers of this show is $66K. I would imagine there are a few companies out there that would love to advertise to that group of viewers. If they move Studio 60 around too much, they might be in trouble.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 3:24PM
Corbin said...
I watched the first two episodes of Studio 60. I thought it'd be good because I loved the West WIng and it had the same writer and Bradley Whitford, but then I kept forgetting to watch it or I was too tired. If it was at 9 I would watch it more often.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 6:43PM
Zach Wilt said...
As previous comments have pointed out, the timeslot is absolutely terrible and I think heroes fans and studio 60 fans are just not the same...not to mention it is in direct competition with monday night football.
i love studio 60 and hope it continues and goes strong next week!
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 7:37PM
ooda said...
It is premature to call this Studio 60's death knell, as at best, Friday Night Football did as good as Studio 60 does normally, and like everyone said, there was a lack of competition. Really, it should have done a lot better numbers, as just being moved behind Heroes should give it a bigger bump. If it was a million viewers up on Studio 60, then I think there could be some cause for concern.
I love Friday Night Lights, and hope it stays alive, but not at the expense of Studio 60. At least they can keep a positive light on Studio 60 ratings, so that at least should be some good news.
That and don't forget one other plus for Studio 60 verses Friday Night Lights. While S60 is LA based, and it does require some knowledge, or at least interest in television and comedy to get a full appreciation, it is at least a show that is of such quality, but still understandable to the normal person, that it can be shopped to foreign markets, so that's a bit of extra money for NBC. The problem with FNL is that football is something that is extremely American, and to be honest, I can't see other countries falling over themselves to have the show. I know that the drama alone should be enough to suffice, but it isn't. Other than Canada, I can't really foresee a good outcome for it in this regard. Maybe if it was doing great in the ratings, that would not really matter, but that's not the case.
I'll reiterate - I love Friday Night Lights. The thing is, people are focused too much on cancelation with Studio 60, and not enough with FNL.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 8:44PM
Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV said...
I wish people would give Studio 60 time to find its creative footing. West Wing wasn't great right away. Sorkin isnt so thick that he won't listen to the criticism sent his way. Studio 60 will get better, and it won't be long till it happens.
Reply
11-02-2006 @ 5:39AM
Rustycat said...
Great news.
I think NBC will give Studio 60 another shot, and all the publicity it's been getting will drive ratings up.
Reply
11-02-2006 @ 1:43PM
gail said...
I was not a West Wing viewer but Bravo ran the pilot of West Wing the other day. I can see the similarities that everyone speaks of here.
I will watch Studio 60 wherever it goes!
I feel for you in the East, having to watch shows at 10om. In Chicago, everything is over by 10.
Reply