Posted on: Wednesday, January 22, 2003
NBC maps out a post-'Friends' terrain
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
NBC is loading up on alternatives as it prepares for a world with fewer "Friends."
In addition to a summer brimming with "reality" shows, the network will bring new shows back to the Saturday wasteland, NBC executives announced Friday during the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Hollywood.
The down side is that "Friends" is now finite. There will only be 17 episodes (one of them an hour long) next season, compared to the 23 most years.
"That will be the 10th and final season," says Jeff Zucker, the network president. "The door is not open after that."
Zucker also announced Friday that "The "West Wing" has been renewed for two more seasons. In each of its first three seasons it has won the Emmy for best drama.
He also said "Meet My Folks" will air on Saturdays, beginning Jan. 25. A new "Let's Make a Deal" (hosted by Billy Bush of "Access Hollywood") will get a five-week trial, beginning March 1. Then a "Hunter" revival — again starring Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer — will return with a movie April 19.
Summer will be filled with reality shows. "Sixty percent of our schedule will be original," Zucker says. That includes a few of the elements from last summer — "Dog Eat Dog," "Crime and Punishment" and "Dateline."
It also includes two shows that might follow the "American Idol" formula ("Last Comic Standing" and "Next Action Star").
Two will center on romance ("Around the World in 80 Dates" and "Race to the Altar") and one will feature a New York restaurant and follow the lives of its chef and staff.
In addition, the producers of the "Fast and the Furious" movie will use the same title for a car-racing show.
"Will & Grace" will load up on female guest stars, featuring Minnie Driver and Demi Moore in February and Madonna in May.
"American Dreams," now extended to 25 episodes for its first season, will keep using pop stars. Art Garfunkel will portray a record-shop owner in a recurring role. Vanessa Carlton will portray Dusty Springfield on Feb. 9, India.Arie stars as Nina Simone on Feb. 16 and LeAnn Rimes will be Connie Francis on March 30.
The network is not above profiting from troubled celebrities. Cybill Shepherd will portray Martha Stewart in a movie and "Dateline" will have what Zucker calls "an hour on Michael Jackson's face."
A two-hour special in May will celebrate Bob Hope's 100th birthday.
"Providence" is definitely finished but the daytime "Passions" has been renewed for a year.
And during the Super Bowl halftime (Sunday on ABC), NBC will interrupt its 90-minute "Fear Factor" episode with a 20-minute comedy skit from "Saturday Night Live's" Weekend Update.
"As soon as the (halftime) whistle blows, we'll go straight to 'Update,' " says Rick Ludwin, the network's late-night chief.
"There will be a "Saturday Night Live" rerun the night before, so the entire writing staff will be working on "Update" material.
