There’s nothing like failure to light a fire under the [CENSORED
BY STANDARDS & PRACTICES] of network executives. When you’re in last place, you really have
nothing to lose. In a race, for example,
the person in last place might pull out the old Bullet Bill as a Hail Mary
pass- of course by a race I mean Mario Kart, what else would I be talking
about?
NBC is in last place in the networks rating game. (Because we’re not counting the CW. Let’s get that straight.) This is good for two reasons. First reason being that everybody likes an
underdog. And everybody likes Underdog, (though
there is considerable debate about whether there were any merits to the
live-action version). Second reason is
that NBC has shows that nobody else would bother to keep. Their ratings are so low that they’ll still
show programs like Community and the
late Chuck, when other networks would
have cancelled them before they even made it to a second season.
NBC’s last place position gives them the flexibility (read:
horrendous ratings) to keep shows that only garner 4 million viewers, or less
than 1.0 demo. What passes on NBC
wouldn’t last 3 episodes on a high rated network. This means that smart shows can have life instead
of being killed off like an unfortunate prostitute in the first 2 minutes of
every procedural.
In the 90s NBC was in a similar situation as it fell
ratings-wise among networks. As a result
the programming drastically shifted to include more specific programs targeted
at individual “audiences” like cable, instead of “the audience” like earlier
network television. This “nothing left
to lose” attitude led NBC to air shows like Hill
Street Blues and Cheers, which
are critically lauded years later. Many
of NBC’s critically acclaimed (and low-rated) shows nowadays also follow in
this cable-inspired example of targeting an audience. So while these shows may be reaching their
middle-upper class educated audience, they are not reaching “the audience,” and
thus “the” ratings.
Ratings can obviously inhibit networks from taking risks and
improving programming. Take CBS for
example, the network of Xeroxed shows.
Once a show has success in the ratings it is copied and printed and put
on the air under a new title. This
technique can be seen in both the comedies and dramas on the network. This is not to say that CBS does not contain
good programming, only that they are clearly restricted by ratings, and trying
to stay successful under the current measurement of achievement.
Although Nielsen ratings should not have as much influence
on TV as they do, it can sometimes be a good thing for fans of television. Because while successful networks pump out
more and more of the same thing, struggling networks are willing to put it all
on the line and show programs that may only attract a specific demographic, and
might never be a ratings hit. These very
same shows that are the bright lights of network primetime are often critically
acclaimed and adored by the audience that they do reach. Low network ratings give networks the chance
to dress up as cable and try out some niche programming.
Although it would be nice to see a network that hosts many
fantastic shows doing well, I am somewhat inclined to root against NBC at the
moment. If their overall ratings
improve, a show like Parks and Recreation
could suddenly meet a fate like that of Veronica
Mars, ending without a true end, only to be seen weekdays during
syndication. Low ratings are a
motivator. They keep networks interested
in creating attractive television that is imaginative, unique and well-written,
instead of phoning in the same show with new names and faces. When we force television networks to grab our
attention, they pull out all the stops and dazzle us with fascinating
characters, witty jokes, and strong storylines.
So for the right now I just hope that NBC stays where it is,
at the bottom of the heap (remember, NOT counting the CW). This way I can ensure that I have every
Thursday I’ve still got my Comedy Night Done Right. All night.
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