And please, this isn't a post about "quality" or "that show sucks!"
Actually, it comes down to this: 30 Rock is owned by NBC and Studio 60 is owned by Warner Brothers. That's one of the many interesting bits of info in Lisa de Moraes' Washington Post column. I mean, that has to be the reason.
As de Moraes points out, it can't be because 30 Rock got better ratings than Studio 60, because Studio 60 got better ratings. It can't be because 30 Rock got a higher rating in the all-important 18 to 49 demo, because Studio 60 had higher ratings there, too. And it can't be because 30 Rock gets the upscale viewers that networks and advertisers like, because Studio 60 was just as good if not better there, too. And I don't think it's because Studio 60 is more expensive than 30 Rock, though that might tie into the whole ownership thing.
It is funny to see Kevin Reilly not really talk about Studio 60, a show he was "really behind" and greenlighted for a whole season. The way he talks now, 30 Rock is the centerpiece to NBC's entire future.
Another interesting point that de Moraes brings up? 30 Rock moves to the Thursday at 9 slot later this month. That's the same time slot that Studio 60 was originally going to be in before they moved it to Mondays at 10 to get away from the Grey's Anatomy machine.
Oh well. I like 30 Rock, too, so I guess it's good that it's a quality show that survived. I just wish Studio 60 could stay in there instead of more reality shows and dramas that have been on for far too long.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-05-2007 @ 5:40PM
Mel said...
Or...
30 Rock's actually good.
And Studio 60, not so much.
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4-05-2007 @ 5:48PM
Porchland said...
Mel: Call my a cynic, but quality is at best a secondary factor in determining what's on the air. I mean, have you ever SEEN "According to Jim." Pee-YEW!! Even though the ratings are marginal, ABC owns it and keeps renewing it.
Regardless of who owns "Studio 60," NBC pays far more for the rights to it than it pays its own production unit for "30 Rock." It's not a quality issue.
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4-05-2007 @ 6:06PM
BigTed said...
Another reason is that it's very easy to put "30 Rock" into a comedy block that they can advertise with something like the "Must-See TV" tag. By promoting the entire evening as a whole, they've been successful in the past at improving the ratings of shows that weren't anywhere near as good as this one.
The hour-long "Studio 60," on the other hand, becomes an island at 9 or 10 p.m., and low ratings could even end up dragging down the viewership for the evening news and Leno.
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4-05-2007 @ 6:10PM
Bill said...
I honestly think they do consider the quality of shows, but the present day finances of a show are always going to be the biggest factor in a renewal decision. Owning the show, it being cheaper to produce, it fitting with the thursday night block of comedy you're trying to build, it's audience appearing to grow slowly... compared to Studio 60 which is owned by someone else, expensive, got the best lead-in the network has and didn't really perform well, and steadily losing viewers over the course of the year... I'm a fan of both shows, but the direction they're going makes sense to me.
http://popculturejunk.blogspot.com/
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4-05-2007 @ 7:47PM
Mel said...
NBC's the only network now that takes quality in stride. If they weren't, we'd have lost The Office and FNL some time back.
I'm sorry but the quality difference between 30 Rock and Studio 60 is a veritable gulf.
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4-05-2007 @ 7:52PM
Jonny Rice said...
Another reason has got to be that Studio 60's ratings peak came during its first 30 minutes on the air, while 30 Rock is still building viewers. No matter what Studio 60 does, it won't attract any more fans than its already got. 30 Rock, on the other hand, has a much sunnier upside. If I were a TV exec beholden to stock options, shareholders and Satan himself, I'd rather have my money on 30 Rock.
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4-05-2007 @ 8:06PM
MrC said...
This isn't the first time I've seen ownership sited.
Joey Pants was complaining that CBS picked up 3lbs (and then canceled it after 3 airings) over his hourlong because 3lbs was a CBS production and his wasn't.
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4-05-2007 @ 8:14PM
Chuck said...
Its simple - I watch studio 60, watched Rock once, one time too many.
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4-05-2007 @ 10:06PM
Borat said...
I'm so glad NBC renewed 30 Rock. Their confidence in The Office helped the show and it's doing well in the 18-49 demographics. I hope 30 Rock's ratings increase because it's extremely funny. But against Grey's Anatomy there's not much of a chance.
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4-05-2007 @ 10:33PM
David said...
Bob, just admit Stido 60 is shit.
Plus 30 Rock is cheaper to make and NBC needs some sitcoms, two reasons it stays. Oh yeah and it is better than Studio 60, not good but better.
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4-05-2007 @ 11:13PM
patel said...
Wow, Bob.... Bitter?
30 Rock can slam religion and republicans and still be fun.
Studio 60 is just a condescending show.
Get over yourself
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4-06-2007 @ 12:24AM
BartmanDK said...
Im with you all the way Bob.. i love 30 Rock, but i REALLY Studio 60, and i would dance on in the flames of a burning 30 Rock, if i could get a second season of Studio 60!
But i know that probaly wont happen, and if it does, we'll be in the same spot next year begging for a third season!
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4-06-2007 @ 8:40AM
courtney said...
Actually, I could care less the reasons why - I'm just glad to have 30 Rock back because, unlike Studio 60, it is really good entertainment.
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4-06-2007 @ 10:18AM
debbie said...
i tivo'd both shows and enjoyed Studio 60 much more- very smart writing and story lines. 30 Rock was just dummed down schlock, and that's why it'll stay. most viewers want the easy stuff as opposed to intelligent viewing. have any of you seen The Riches? best new show on TV!
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4-06-2007 @ 11:03AM
Greg said...
Bob, you're forgetting that:
Studio 60 costs several million dollars an episode, whereas 30 Rock costs a few hundred thousand.
30 Rock has near universal critical acclaim, but critics are split on Studio 60.
Studio 60 is practically derided in the creative community - the typical comedy writers room would make a sport of taping it and then ripping on it in writers' sessions. 30 Rock is praised and gets top-notch talent to guest star.
About the only thing Studio 60 has going for it is a loyal cult fanbase (that are in it more for Sorkin than for the actual show) and the idea that if this show goes away, Sorkin may jump to another network.
But factor all those things together with the ownership deal, and the 30 Rock decision becomes even more clear.
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4-06-2007 @ 11:48AM
schrute to kill said...
dumbed-down not "dummed down" dummy....30 rock is super intelligent and also ridiculous and over-the-top....with jokes about the cuyahoga river and as well as sly references to the audacity of the current incarnation of the republican party, many of its most charming and hilarious jokes are missed by the general population. it is one of the only shows that can effectively poke fun at white guilt while simultaneously pointing out some of the ridiculousness within the current popular stream of hip-hop culture......
dumbed down my ass......
30 rock is the funniest show on thursday nights right now!
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4-06-2007 @ 12:05PM
Benjy said...
Bob,
As you know, I've always been on the S60 bandwagon with you. I've actually tried to watch 30 Rock. I just can't get through an episode. I can't. I find The Office amazing. Scrubs has never missed a funny beat. Hell, I can even watch Andy Barker PI!!!! 30 Rock just isn't funny.
Again... there is nothing wrong with Studio 60! It's only problem is that it is on opposite the worldwide fashionista juggernaut that it "CSI: Miami"! Perhaps if NBC put it on where it wasn't competing with a CSI or an American Idol, it might actually get better ratings.
For all you S60 naysyaers also talk about Sorkin being preachy: What about last night's episode of 30 Rock where Tina Fey got all wigged out that the guy she met was going into a chruch regularly. Before she found out he was actually going to AA, she got all freaked that he was some born-again Christian! GASP!!!
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4-06-2007 @ 12:17PM
Jeff N. said...
30 Rock is the funniest new sitcom on TV. Studio 60 is a flawed 1 hour drama that costs a lot to produce.
I can understand why 30 Rock is coming back and Studio 60 is not.
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4-06-2007 @ 1:30PM
Jim said...
Could it be that 30 Rock is entertaining and Studio 60 isn't?
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4-06-2007 @ 4:39PM
sharron said...
Sorkin's first mistake - not taking Sports Night to HBO when they wanted it (because he wanted to put all effort into WW for nbc). Sorkin's second mistake - not handing Studio 60 to CBS on a silver platter when they bid on it. How many times is he going to let the Nothing But Crap channel screw him? I wish he had CBS or HBO willing to do Studio 60 now, but nbc did too much damage.
Still can't wait to see the rest of the episodes. Especially the one filming currently that Whitford is directing!
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