# What will the Dopers be watching this fall (Fridays)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 29, 2004, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650 "2004-05-29T06:22:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/1 "2004-05-29T06:22:37Z")
See also [Monday](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=258032), [Tuesday](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=258251), [Wednesday](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=258399), [Thursday](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=258566). 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](http://abc.go.com/primetime/8simplerules/index.html) / [Savages](http://abc.go.com/primetime/schedule/2004-05/savages.html) (ABC)[/li][li][Joan of Arcadia](http://www.cbs.com/primetime/joan_of_arcadia/) (CBS)[/li][li][Totally Outrageous Behavior](http://www.fox.com/schedule/2004/outrageous.htm) / [World’s Craziest Videos](http://www.fox.com/schedule/2004/craziest.htm) (Fox; both replaced in October by [The Next Great Champ](http://www.fox.com/schedule/2004/champ.htm))[/li][li][Dateline](http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/) (NBC)[/li][li][America’s Next Top Model](http://www.upn.com/shows/top_model2/) (UPN)[/li][li][What I Like About You](http://www.thewb.com/Shows/Special/0,11116,171999%7C%7C,00.html) / [Commando Nannny](http://www.thewb.com/Shows/Special/0,11116,172227%7C%7C,00.html)[/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](http://www.nbc.com/nbc/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](http://abc.go.com/primetime/hopeandfaith/index.html) / [Less Than Perfect](http://abc.go.com/primetime/lessthanperfect/index.html) (ABC)[/li][li][JAG](http://www.cbs.com/primetime/jag/) (CBS)[/li][li][The Jury](http://www.fox.com/schedule/2004/thejury.htm) (Fox)[/li][li][Third Watch](http://www.nbc.com/Third_Watch/index.html) (NBC)[/li][li][Enterprise](http://www.upn.com/shows/enterprise/) (UPN)[/li][li][Reba](http://www.thewb.com/Shows/Special/0,11116,171998%7C%7C,00.html) / [Grounded For Life](http://www.thewb.com/Shows/Special/0,11116,171996%7C%7C,00.html)[/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](http://abcnews.go.com/Sections/2020/index.html) (ABC)[/li][li][dr. vegas](http://www.cbs.com/primetime/dr_vegas/) (CBS)[/li][li][Medical Investigation](http://www.nbc.com/nbc/Primetime_Preview_04_05/new_shows.shtml#medicalinvestigation) (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. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/2 "2004-05-29T06:33:23Z")
Joan and Enterprise. None of the other four nights have a single show I am interested in. These’re pretty much the only two. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/3 "2004-05-29T07:13:30Z")
I won’t be watching any of those. ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/4 "2004-05-29T11:12:41Z")
I haven’t gotten into Joan of Arcadia, so I probably will stick with “While You Were Out” on TLC at 8. I am one of the people who has been watching “Third Watch” from the beginning and will continue to do so, it’s a fine little show that’s never gotten the notice it deserves, IMO. I’ll probably go back to TLC for the 10:00 hour, I think that’s “What Not to Wear” but no matter what it is it has to be better than what the networks are offering. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/5 "2004-05-29T12:37:42Z")
Heh. Everyone knows Friday night is **Monk** night on USA. Everything else is secondary. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/6 "2004-05-29T12:42:32Z")
“Joan of Arcadia,” if I’m home (I like it, but I don’t tape it if I’m out). Then I’ll turn off the TV, turn on the stereo, and see who’s around online. ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/7 "2004-05-29T12:54:00Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > Heh. Everyone knows Friday night is **Monk** night on USA. Everything else is secondary. Considering my wife and I are usually to exhausted by the end of the week to make an evening fo Friday night, and the fact that I like Tony Shalhoub, I don’t have a damn excuse for not checking out “Monk” yet. Maybe this is the year. ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/8 "2004-05-29T12:59:02Z")
**ArchiveGuy** – Thanks for the reminder about _Monk_ > [@](#): > > NEWS FLASH! All new episodes of Monk return to USA Network on Friday, June 18 at 10/9C! Watch this site for more information, coming soon. NEWS FLASH! Monk: The Complete First Season will be released on DVD on Tuesday, June 15 from the USA Channel’s [_Monk_ page](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=4910036). ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/9 "2004-05-29T13:00:15Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > None of the other four nights have a single show I am interested in. Ain’t it amazing? That’s why I started this. The nets are always complaining that the playing field is stacked against them because of cable, satellite and various digital entertainments. then they blow holes in their own argument by turning out seasons like this one. They have enough money that they could get the best talent and the best decision makers, and they simply find something else to do. Baffling, it is. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/10 "2004-05-29T15:58:25Z")
> [@TeaElle](#): > > I am one of the people who has been watching “Third Watch” from the beginning and will continue to do so, it’s a fine little show that’s never gotten the notice it deserves, IMO. That makes two of us, and my husband makes three. I’ve been a huge fan since it started. When _Monk_ and _Third Watch_ are on at the same time, we tape one and watch the other. I’ll be back for _Joan of Arcadia_, definitely. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/11 "2004-05-29T16:28:31Z")
**Joan of Arcadia** and **Monk**. Which reminds me - I need to get eh satellite installed before Monk premieres. StG ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/12 "2004-05-29T16:30:25Z")
Enterprise for me. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/13 "2004-05-29T16:34:55Z")
Enterprise. Only TV show I regularly watch, besides the nightly news ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/14 "2004-05-29T17:26:57Z")
8:00 This last year, if I was at the gym while it was on, and on the treadmill, I watched “Joan of Arcadia” while running. I’ll probably do that again. 9:00 I’m that one person who likes “JAG” so I’ll watch that. (BTW, I caught “Hope and Faith” once on the treadmill - Kelly Ripa may be the worst actress ever on a sitcom. And I’ve seen a lot of horrid sitcoms.) 10:00 And “West Wing” mad me like Rob Lowe - so as bad as it looks, I’ll give “dr. vegas” a chance. **Archive Guy** , Monk shows at 10 & midnight, so I usually catch the midnight. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/15 "2004-05-29T18:07:53Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > 9:00 I’m that one person who likes “JAG” so I’ll watch that. I’ve caught _JAG_ a few times. It’s pretty good, but I always forget when it’s on. I tend to get it and _Navy NCIS_ mixed up. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/16 "2004-05-29T18:53:26Z")
I’ll watch Enterprise if I remember it’s on. I heard elsewhere about Commando Nanny, by the way. It’s another Mark Burnett show - this time a sitcom about a British commando (think James Bond) that moves to LA and is hired as a nanny for a family of I forget how many kids. The really odd thing? The article I read said the show is “based on his [Mark Burnett’s] life story.” 😕😕😕 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/17 "2004-05-29T19:41:42Z")
Omigod. The blurb for dr. vegas scares me: > [@](#): > > Whether it’s a celebrity headliner who takes a header from the stage, an employee hurt on the job or a desperate guest whose luck has run out at the tables, it’s a safe bet that Dr. Grant will see his share of unique medical cases. But, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and for Billy, it’s all in a day’s work on the Strip. This sounds absolutely horrendous. And I _like_ Rob Lowe! ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/18 "2004-05-29T21:01:36Z")
Fridays: the night for the DangerParents to snuggle up and watch _Monk_ and _Stargate_. The only night we watch shows (as opposed to news or nothing), in fact. It’s pathetic, but we love Fridays for the TV. (We go out on Saturdays, we do have _something_ resembling a life.) ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/19 "2004-05-29T21:32:50Z")
**Monk** , **Dead Zone** (if it’s going to be on that night) and **Stargate SG1** , with **Enterprise** if I can be bothered. When’s **Stargate: Atlantis** supposed to be on, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2004, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650/20 "2004-05-29T21:36:13Z")
> [@Lightnin'](#): > > **Monk** , **Dead Zone** (if it’s going to be on that night) _The Dead Zone_ is on Sundays at 10:00, but is always repeated later in the week. It will be premiering June 6th. Yay! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-dopers-be-watching-this-fall-fridays/247650.md?page=2)