NBC will return the Emmy Award
nominated "Scrubs" and move freshman comedy "30 Rock" to Thursday nights beginning November 30 to form a new two-hour 8-10 p.m. (ET) comedy block with "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office." The change will follow a special super-sized night of comedy two weeks earlier on Thursday, November 16, with three 40-minute episodes of "My Name Is Earl," "The Office" and "30 Rock."

This comes just days after NBC announced they were cutting a 1/3 of their scripted TV, among other cuts, next season in order to save 750 Million Dollars.

NBC does not know what the hell it is doing!

Very true, but at least Scrubs is coming back.

quote:

Originally posted by Vanessa:
Very true, but at least Scrubs is coming back.

Yep, and it'll be the first season I'm not watching. TiVo can only work so hard on one night...

I think it's a good line-up except i don't think it will be a hit. I thik 30 rock will improve from wed. night.

Just curious -- what is the big production about Scrubs?

Marc, I just have to ask....what shows do YOU think are "big productions"?? I see that you aren't very impressed with most shows that get critical acclaim (Scrubs, HIMYM, Veronica Mars, Cheers, Taxi, etc), so I just want to know what you actually enjoy watching, and what you think is "worth" all of the hoopla?

Marc - I thnk that given the competition on CBS and ABC, it is smart of NBC to program a show like Scrubs that people are loyal to and follow. It's not a large audience, but they probably would get these same satisfactory numbers on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Why is that not smart? It also will give 30 Rock, another critically acclaimed show, a shot at a somewhat loyal audience. No, it's not going to be big, but with CSI and Greys in the mix (along with Fashion House - just kidding), do you really want to see them shoving another powerhouse show into the slot? Wouldn't it be smarter to put something that could potentially get powerhouse ratings on Tuesday instead? 4 smart critically acclaimed comedies on one night makes perfect sense to me.

That's a good point, Mark. I agree completely. And as for what I currently like Wayne, Lost hands down is my No. 1 choice despite the sluggish recent episodes. And I am also impressed with Two and a Half Men, House, Prison Break, Jericho, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters and...yes...Survivor and Dancing With the Stars. Dancing With the Stars is the new form of variety -- a great escape.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Berman:
That's a good point, Mark. I agree completely. And as for what I currently like Wayne, Lost hands down is my No. 1 choice despite the sluggish recent episodes. And I am also impressed with Two and a Half Men, House, Prison Break, Jericho, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters and...yes...Survivor and Dancing With the Stars. Dancing With the Stars is the new form of variety -- a great escape.

Well, at least I can agree on some of your favorites. I just don't think I'll ever be happy with reality being a part of Primetime TV. It all seems more fake to me than scripted TV. Reality show people, to me, are hardly "real," and that turns me off completely.


Scrubs has never been a must-watch for me, but it has been enjoyable when I've watched it. I think NBC's new comedy line-up will be enjoyable, but maybe not so much for me to make a point to tune in often.

Marc I think that you've always been the voice of the modest performers and good old fashion shows. For instance, you've always supported the King of Queens, a truley hilarious comedy, and Yes Dear, the most underrated CBS comedy of all time. 7th Heaven is another one of those shows. You were pushing for the renewal all last season even though it now looks like it should've ended. Thanks for sticking up for the little shows that could.

I think the comedy block is risky but smart. It's clear these comedies aren't making it on their own. But a block together they have a shot, look at CBS Mondays in a world where half hour comedies are dying CBS is making them work only as a two hour block. So I like that NBC is trying it, it's worked for them in the past, it may work again. I like all four of those shows, I think I would prefer they were on together on another night though seeing the competition. But nonetheless NBC doesn't have much to lose at this point so why not.

Hey Mushu_jj, I am always HAPPY to root for the underdog. I never listen to what the other critics have to say.

Actually Marc, what I like about your taste in TV is that you embrace all genres pretty much. You check out Reality TV, you check out Game Shows and you judge them based on the quality alone. I get aggravated when critics who hate Reality TV (like mine for the Chicago Sun-Times) and then review these shows. (He gave the Amazing Race Zero Stars last spring (and that was the post-family addition).

I too admire that you go against the grain and recognize that King of Queens and Yes Dear are entertaining shows. These have always been the cool shows to slam, yet they have always had an audience.

I only wish more critics actually had better representation for what the people like so I could take their opinions more seriously. That doesn't mean me agreeing with everything, but at least everything and every genre gets a fair shot.

Thanks Mark. As the untimate fan of TV, I try to give everything a fair shot. Unfortunately, when one critic loves or hates something, others often automatically follow in the same path. I'm never afraid to admiting to liking something that the majority hates.