For as long as I can remember I’ve never watched many NBC shows. I blossomed into a Friends viewer much after it was off the air. I grew tired of the glory seeking in ER after the departure of many of the original cast.
The only show I watched through to it’s eventual end was West Wing and I saw it move from it’s prominent Wednesday prime-time spot to the “sent-to-the-pasture” Sunday night spot. The show did lose some of it’s charm toward the end, but seven years is a good run for any show.
When NBC announced a new show by Aaron Sorkin called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was coming, I was naturally curious. The pilot was intriguing and brought about the same witty fast-paced dialog that is Sorkin’s style.
However, it turns out that America is not very interested in a cerebral drama with bouts of comedy. Viewers don’t want to think when they’re watching a show, they’d rather shut their brains off and be fed the utter crap that shows like The Office have to offer.
Well, NBC sealed Studio 60’s fate today by announcing their fall schedule and officially canceling it and putting a stake through all the fans hopes that somehow this show would survive. I just don’t understand NBCs tactics here. They let Crossing Jordan (you haven’t heard of that show? Shocked, I am!) for 6 season and they wouldn’t even bother with giving Studio 60 a full season?
This, eerily, reminds me how badly ABC handled Sports Night, another favorite of mine that somehow only managed to eek out one season.
So, I guess in the end I was barely watching NBC to begin with, and now there really is no reason to watch at all. Sad indeed.
Cheers