American broadcast TV schedule crashed and burned, is it?But, out of all the original programs that premiered on the major networks after the completion of the fall 2008 season, not a single one got traction.
According to analysis reports, you can take your pick from any of the following shows: Defying Gravity, The Superstars, The Listener, Mental, The Philanthropist, Hitched or Ditched, Merlin and Great American Road Trip. All of them bombed -- each hovering just above a one market share.
In fact, you don't need numbers to prove that the fall crop crapped out. Ask your friend what his/her favorite summer replacement show was. You'll be waiting awhile.
The good news for scripted TV fans is that, while the one-hour dramas failed this summer, new reality shows didn't fair much better. When a scripted show tanks, a network loses money. A network that loses money will be tempted to spend less money in the future -- perhaps producing more cheaper reality shows.
But that safe haven is drying up, too. The only real option for networks desperate for hits looks like producing better scripted entertainment.
Wouldn't that be revolutionary?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-17-2009 @ 8:16AM
Alicia R. said...
I enjoy Merlin... but I think it would fair better on BBC America. As of right now... I just watch it on Hulu.
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9-15-2009 @ 10:03AM
Diana said...
I loved Merlin but then again I love Friday Night Lights and you have to be a magician to keep up with where they are on the schedule at any given time. I'm hoping we don't lose Merlin.
8-17-2009 @ 8:28AM
JWB said...
Network shows crashed and burned but cable tv shows have thrived. Royal Pains is a hit with over 6 million viewers, Burn Notice reached a rating high of over 7 million viewers, and True Blood is HBO's highest rated show since The Sopranos.
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8-17-2009 @ 10:31AM
Will said...
Leverage, Eureka, HawthoRNe, Nurse Jackie, Warehouse 13 are other cable show that have been successful this summer.
8-17-2009 @ 12:22PM
rahul said...
i agree network tv gets destroyed in the summer by cable, the cable channels know they can' compete during the fal/spring so they spend time developing good shows for the summer with shorter seasons but more quality.
I think it was USA that started this trend with Monk, Psych, and Burn Notice. Then they expanded it to In Plain Sight, Royal Pains. Even Law and Order CI a former network show which has a loyal fan base but doesn't garner the same viewership as its L&O brothers now runs during the summer to a reasonably sized audience.
The summer may become the place to put 2nd tier shows which have niche audiences.
8-17-2009 @ 8:39AM
Michael said...
It wouldn't take me long to answer the question... Dark Blue on TNT has been an awesome series thus far.
-mjt
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8-17-2009 @ 9:21AM
misguided said...
The Philanthropist is a good show! But, of course, no one wants to learn about the third world. Sure sign a show will bomb: it has a semi-decent message. Eli Stone, Men in Trees, Everwood, Kyle XY, Gilmore Girls all had success but were ultimately booted for soap operas about jaded sexaholics.
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9-10-2009 @ 7:14PM
tlondon said...
The two stars of Gilmore Girls wanted to move on to other projects something they weren't able to while doing the series. Lauren Graham has done 6 movies since the show ended it's run two years ago. While she was doing the series she did about one movie a year, and made guest appearances on other television series
8-17-2009 @ 1:34PM
MaryAnn said...
Merlin is a very, very good show, closer in quality to Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings than to Xena and Hercules and that ilk. I can only assume that people are not checking it out if it is not doing well.
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8-17-2009 @ 9:48AM
Lisa said...
I don't think the shows themselves deserve all the blame, people just don't watch a lot of TV during the summer anyway. I liked the listener and the philanthropist, but I had to catch the shows later on HULU cause I work evenings. I think it's wrong to say that the whole season is a failure.
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8-17-2009 @ 10:04AM
Brian said...
Actually, in recent years viewership has been running only about 3% less over the summer.
8-17-2009 @ 10:21AM
Winelover said...
I've enjoyed both Merlin and the Philanthropist too. Both have good writing and great actors. I can see Philanthropist doing bad because it is a show that has a message and makes you think. And Merlin is just fun with some great acting but the theme may not appeal broadly. Just sad so many good shows go wanting for an audience.
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8-17-2009 @ 10:32AM
Will said...
I really liked Merlin, but I agree that it should probably be on BBC America. I've been watching Being Human and it is great.
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8-17-2009 @ 10:48AM
Key Rick said...
Mental might be the best of this summer's bunch, but that isn't saying much. I am pleasantly surprised how well Being Human works despite the premise - a ghost, a werewolf and a vampire are roommates who mutually wish to live like ordinary humans. Summer '08 my fave was Gavin & Stacey.
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8-17-2009 @ 11:12AM
Janet said...
I enjoy Defying Gravity very much. It would be helpful if ABC actually promoted it - they're constantly promoting Sharks, Modern Family & Flash Forward but seem to have forgotten a very good tv show that could use some promotion.
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8-17-2009 @ 12:25PM
jonathan said...
defying gravity is actually good! it shows you where it will go and trying to figure it out has been interesting!
8-17-2009 @ 5:49PM
David said...
I'm really enjoying Defying Gravity -- and the production values are ... out of this world good (pun!).
8-17-2009 @ 10:56AM
Sandee said...
Thank the TV gods for cable that I don't have to watch the drivel on the networks.
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8-17-2009 @ 11:22AM
GigG said...
Everybody knows that a network show that premieres during the summer has a 1 in 1000 shot of getting picked up. Hence nobody watches because it would be like buying a book that would most likely not have the last 50 pages in it.
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8-17-2009 @ 1:54PM
mike said...
I must be living under a rock this summer. Outside of "The Philanthropist" I didn't even recognize any of the show names. Lack of advertising or am I far outside of the target demographics now that I'm approaching 50? To be honest I'm not about to sign up for a facebook account just to read about a tv show.
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