Mr. TV: Writer's Block

After the recent unfortunate event in my life, I did something really out of character: I barely turned on the TV. Basically, I ran a test pattern, so to speak, for several weeks. But I am back in full force, in search of that next big hit. Sadly, I emerged to find nothing new in midseason that excites me.The first night I really sat back down to watch TV was Sunday, Jan. 4. My family and I gathered around our 52-inch baby to watch Desperate Housewives, which was good, but still nowhere near that phenomenal first season. The next time a long-in-the-tooth series wants trying flashing forward as a way to freshen stories lines, don’t do it.There was a time I pined for Desperate lead out Brothers & Sisters (you know I am a sucker for family dramas). But hooking up Justin with almost Walker-sibling Rebecca has grossed me out. And the constant Walker togetherness is starting to grate on my nerves. Even the Walton clan and the Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie enjoyed some “me time” now and then.Now I like reality television, but when I was writing The Programming Insider for Monday Jan. 5, I was horrified to see that only 15 percent of that night’s prime-time was original scripted programming. CBS was all repeats, leaving CW dramas Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill as the only new scripted options. It was a battle of ABC’s The Bachelor versus NBC’s Superstars of Dance and ABC’s True Beauty versus NBC dud Momma’s Boys. Fox aired The Fiesta Bowl. Since I’m not a fan of football or lightweight relationship nonsense, I headed to cable. Thank goodness for Larry King. Considering that was the first “official” night of midseason, I expected more.The first Tuesday of January featured another new non-scripted series, ABC’s Homeland Security USA, which is a valid option for anyone who watches Fox’s long-running Cops. I don’t fall into that category, and I found it to be a real bore. NBC’s well-intentioned The Biggest Loser, now couples themed, opened the season that night as did the return of Scrubs, now airing on ABC. What ABC needs is a fresh, mass-appeal hit comedy to ignite the tired sitcom genre, not Scrubs. I’ll never understand why the net picked it up after NBC finally canceled it.Wednesday showcased yet another new reality/competition, 13: Fear is Real, a CW entry billed as Survivor meets The Blair Witch Project. Considering the network is targeting young females, this was not a great fit. A better option that night was The 35th Annual People’s Choice Awards on CBS, which always officially kicks off awards season. Every time I see Queen Latifah, who hosted the ceremonies, I think one of the nets should sign her up for a new comedy. Remember how good she was in Fox’s Living Single?Thursday offered more original scripted fare. And I commend ABC for wisely moving Private Practice into the 10 p.m. hour out of parent series Grey’s Anatomy. But unlike in the past when I never missed an episode of serials like Knots Landing, Dallas and Falcon Crest, I just have no interest in these lightweight melodramas. Does this mean I am becoming old and cynical?As for NBC's 30 Rock—I am trying to join some of my colleagues who are addicted to the series—I forgot it was on! Does this mean I am becoming old and senile?NBC kicked off the weekend with the launch of Howie Do It, a Candid Camera-like hour airing Friday at 8 p.m. Hosted by Howie Mandel, the show—which you can watch with your brain on pause—is a great way to end the week. Friday also featured the finale of Lipstick Jungle, which was never anything more than a D-level rip-off of Sex and the City, and the return of drama Flashpoint on CBS. In this economy it pays to shop around for Canadian product like Flashpoint, which fits like a glove out of Ghost Whisperer.Normally deadly Saturday had one huge option: National Football League’s Arizona at Carolina playoff game on Fox. The hefty returns (abut 21 million viewers, per Nielsen) proves that viewers will watch network television on this night if there is something worthy on. Too bad no one at the Big Three seems to gasp this concept.Last week, meanwhile featured the return of Fox’s American Idol, which I will complain about—and watch religiously—until May. Mr. TV may have been down folks, but he is fighting back with an opinionated vengeance. 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: Writer's Block

Marc Berman

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Marc Berman