In a recent Dispatch, you ...
Question: In a recent
Dispatch, you noted how there was a glut of pretty good comedies on Mondays, and I agree. Why do the networks put all similar programs up against each other on the same night? Not everyone has a DVR, and if we do, not all of us have the capacity to tape and watch other shows simultaneously. Meanwhile, there are certain days (like Tuesdays), when I can find
nothing to watch except for stupid newsmagazines or reality programming. Wouldn't it make sense for the networks to counterprogram against what others are offering? Wouldn't it be great to have some of the comedies from Monday or Thursday or some of the serialized dramas from Wednesday taking advantage of the fact that there's nothing similar to watch on Tuesday? Instead of worrying about lead-in programming (which I don't understand in a remote-control world), shouldn't they focus on finding spots where the audience is underserved?
Answer: A fair complaint, but you've sort of answered your own question. Think back to when Tuesdays were ruled by
Home Improvement and
Frasier, and it's clear how far we've fallen. Networks have nearly given up on comedy except on a very few nights: NBC and CBS are down to one night each right now, whereas NBC in particular used to flood the schedule with sitcoms. The chief strategy in counterprogramming nowadays is to pit reality shows against hit dramas. The pipeline isn't exactly bursting with comedies waiting in the wings, and the networks are nervous about opening up new nights with comedy blocks, because it's so hard to get a foothold with untested shows.
