Mr. TV: NATPE Bound

Sometimes you just gotta laugh. And that’s exactly what I did when CBS Television Distribution issued the statement recently about the delay of a proposed talk show with bishop T.D. Jakes.“We have never seen such a positive reaction to a show as we have to T.D. Jakes, but with the current economic climate that stations and advertisers are facing, we don’t think 2009 is the right time to produce a top quality series in the manner we and our stations expect. We passionately believe in the viability of T.D. Jakes and will work toward a 2010 launch.” If that were really true, T.D. Jakes would be all smiles shaking hands with the attendees at the National Association of Program Executives (NATPE) conference this week in Las Vegas. Note to CBS: the current economic downfall is unlikely to improve by next year, so launching a show in fall 2010 may not be any better. You need to come up with a better excuse.Troubled economic times will indeed be the theme of NATPE this week. Unlike previous glory years when I had to beg my editor for more space for the new first-run NATPE program listings, I had to rely on a few obscure new weeklies to fill the page. Since stations are likely to keep what they already have and fill the day with a lot of double-runs, available timeslots are at a minimum. That’s why there are only six new first-run strips in contention (which has got to be the lowest in well over 20 years). And that’s why only Dr. Mehmet Oz from Sony Pictures Television and The Wendy Williams Show from Debmar-Mercury are officially confirmed. The pickings are slim, folks. Of the two that are moving forward, I am really not all that jazzed. SPT, after all, still will not put anyone on the phone to talk about Dr. Oz. “We are not going to NATPE, so we are not commenting,” said a rep. So, how can I feel good about this? I do, however, plan to meet Wendy Williams this week in person. If someone is about to host a show, doesn’t it make sense to make them accessible to the press?Personally, I am disappointed Program Partners has not officially announced the talk show hosted by Marie Osmond as a “go” because I believe she has the knowledge and experience to succeed. She did, of course, host a talk show opposite brother Donny from Sony Pictures Television (then Columbia TriStar) from 1998-2000. And ratings picked up in the second season. But some bonehead exec decided to replace it with a talker called Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, hosted by Cybill Shephard. Needless to say, that show tanked.If only the top three markets would take the plunge—a smart move, I think—Marie might move forward. But for now it joins Twentieth Television’s daytime version of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Street Court from Litton Entertainment and Judge Jeanine Pirro from Warner Bros. (which is currently looking for time periods after being bumped by Tyra Banks on The CW in daytime) as big question marks for next season. Based on the modest success this season of NBC Universal’s Deal or No Deal, and the familiarity of the concept, I think 5th Grader has the best chance of also getting on the air in first-run. Rumors, of course, have been running rampant for years that NATPE has become obsolete and will be scrapped. But I still think there is a valid reason to gather once a year to meet and greet, exchange ideas and even do some business. NATPE is certainly not just about syndication anymore, and I admire the organization’s effort to broaden its focus into technology and other areas. If my math is correct, this is my 16th visit to the NATPE conference, a veritable “sweet 16.” I was there for the launch of USA Today: The Television Show, which was pitched as the “biggest” new first-run strip in the history of syndication. I was there when I was a rep firm programmer and we did our packed programming presentations. And I was one of the chosen few asked to attend that once-grand King World dinner.Unfortunately, NATPE now feels like more of a bargain basement gathering. But I will optimistically be present looking for something positive to talk about. As the old saying goes, you just never know. Do you agree or disagree with Mr. TV? Please e-mail mberman@mediaweek.com and lethim know if you would like your response published in an upcoming issue.

Convergent TV

Mr. TV: NATPE Bound

Marc Berman

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Marc Berman