See also Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
By now, those of you who have read the other threads may suspect that the reason I started this was to vent my utter bafflement at the choices made by the major networks in terms of prime time programming. You may be right.
But now, with the Friday night lineup, it all comes so clear. Someone suggested in a previous thread in this series that perhaps the networks were trying to improve America’s intellect by providing viewing so uncompelling that we would all go take night classes. Which led to my revelation.
With the merger of NBC and Universal Studios, there is now not a single newtork that is not intimately tied to a movie studio. The Friday night lineup is designed to get us all out to the multiplex to spend some serious cash.
8:00-9:00
[ul]
[li]8 Simple Rules / Savages (ABC)[/li][li]Joan of Arcadia (CBS)[/li][li]Totally Outrageous Behavior / World’s Craziest Videos (Fox; both replaced in October by The Next Great Champ)[/li][li]Dateline (NBC)[/li][li]America’s Next Top Model (UPN)[/li][li]What I Like About You / Commando Nannny[/li][/ul]
My choice: If I had to pick a network show, it would probably be “Dateline”, or if I don’t like the topic, maybe I’ll finally watch Joan of Arcadia.
This particular hour demonstrates the dearth of imagination going on in network broadcasting. “Savages” is the second new series about a family with five kids (See “Quintuplets” in a previous thread.) Fox is showing what seems to be more or less identical home-video-clip shows back to back all summer, and then replacing them in the fall with a copy of an NBC midseason replacement (the Sylvester-Stallone hosted The Contender, which will take over “Average Joe”'s slot on Tuesdays). Given that the main news out of the boxing world this past year is that no one gives a rat’s ass any longer, one has to wonder at these moves.
And “Commando Nanny”??? I picture Fran Drescher in combat boots. Hmmmmm…
9:00-10:00
[ul]
[li]Hope and Faith / Less Than Perfect (ABC)[/li][li]JAG (CBS)[/li][li]The Jury (Fox)[/li][li]Third Watch (NBC)[/li][li]Enterprise (UPN)[/li][li]Reba / Grounded For Life[/li][/ul]
My choice: If I’ve fallen for “The Jury” and I’m home, maybe that. Maybe I’ll give “Hope and Faith” and “Grounded for Life” a chance, finally.
This hour demonstrates the utter failure of the uncontested Nielsen system to determine the actual viewing habits of the American public. Quick, name 5 people you know personally who’ve been tuning in to “JAG”, “Third Watch”, or “Reba” all these seasons.
10:00-11:00
[ul]
[li]20/20 (ABC)[/li][li]dr. vegas (CBS)[/li][li]Medical Investigation (NBC)[/li][/ul]
My choice: If I’m not out, I’m asleep. We have experienced firsthand Vegas’ “fine” medical system, so forgive me if “dr. vegas” surpasses my ability to suspend my disbelief.
