30 Rock Rolls On, Friday Night Lights Next Up
By Ben Grossman -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/4/2007 9:17:00 PM
NBC on Wednesday formally made the expected announcement that it will bring back rookie comedy 30 Rock for a second season, and the same result is now expected for fellow freshman Friday Night Lights.
“That one’s next,” says NBC entertainment president Kevin Reilly.
A source close to the producers of the show also says they have been given quiet assurances that the tea leaves look positive for a second season.
Despite the 30 Rock pickup, a sophomore season for Friday Night Lights may not be formalized until closer to the network’s May 14 upfront presentation in New York City.
“It’s a similar debate [as 30 Rock], but a little trickier from a scheduling standpoint,” says Reilly. “Where we can put it on our schedule just becomes more complex.”
As for 30 Rock, the Tina Fey comedy has been one of NBC’s best-lauded new shows, despite failing to capture ratings worthy of its buzz and quality. It is averaging a 2.7 rating/7 share in adults 18-49, though it consistently retains more than 80% of its lead-in.
Reilly says it was those modest ratings that kept the network from announcing the second season before this week.
“Creatively the show is a no-brainer, but the ratings have been frustrating for all of us,” he says. “We unfortunately are in a ratings business. It created some pause, but when push came to shove, we have a great show and we believe it will be a part of our future.”
And while Reilly has long said he hopes it will grow a la its new lead-in, The Office, he attributes the sluggish ratings to scheduling.
“Time period, time period, time period,” he says of the reason the show hasn’t caught on despite garnering honors such as Alec Baldwin’s Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards.
The show debuted in the fall Wednesdays at 8, a timeslot Reilly says “is very tough for us, so those episodes went virtually under the radar.”
It was then moved to Thursdays at 9:30, up against brutal competition including CBS’s CSI and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.
Reilly also notes that Scrubs may not have been the best lead-in for the show, which is why the network has moved 30 Rock up a half-hour to 9 beginning April 12.
“There was some evidence that Scrubs while a qualitatively good match is not demographically necessarily the best flow for the show.”
NBC will continue to air 30 Rock through the summer, but Reilly is not expecting that to lead to a big groundswell.
“I don’t think that will have a huge impact,” he says. “You’d hope you get some sampling.”
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This is terrific news that "Lights" is going to be back next year! Kyle Chandler is perhaps one of the best and most believable actors in the business. "Early Edition" and his performance in that remain one of my favorites. And the camaraderie Kyle has with his wife, daughter, and the players is unmatched by anyone else. It makes me want to go to a Louisiana or Texas small town to see a real-life "Friday Night Lights." In fact, I just may do so this Fall!
Berta Pettis - 5/11/2007 10:36:00 AM EDT -
Friday Night Lights is the best drama show, almost ever, and certainly for
today. Best achieved characters and plotlines for today's families, schools,
society. Outstanding casting, writing, directing. Bravo to NBC!
I would like to say the same for STUDIO 60 and yet I think that may be
futile!
Nancy Allan - 4/13/2007 2:42:00 PM EDT -
PLEASE, BRING BACK FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
If NBC doesn't run another season I might just have to stop watching the channel altogether, and that would make my really really sad, 'cos all of my favourite shows are on it.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS ROCKS.
Jill Phipps - 4/12/2007 12:12:00 PM EDT -
Friday Night Lights is one of my favorite shows in a long time. I don't remember ever being this invested in each character of a tv show. People just need to know about it and see it and they will become hooked as well.
Wendy - 4/7/2007 5:22:00 PM EDT -
And for God's sake, PROMOTE IT! Get your PR people working on cover stories on FNL in Entertainment Weekly, People, Time, Newsweek...and hook the cast up with interviews at key online outlets. Jeez, normally I wouldn't say this, but leverage the beauty of your cast; cross promote with the Gap or something like that. LET PEOPLE SEE THIS CAST! All of them. The young'uns as well as Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton. Spend some money on promos during other NBC shows. Have Meredith and Matt do an entire week-long series of interview (featuring show clips) on the Today Show. Promote the day & time of the show on the radio. Fork over some dough on billboards in urban areas. Anything and everything. Because you know what? With the brilliant, artistic, beautiful, moving work being done by the cast and crew and writers and production staff of Friday Night Lights, you OWE THEM that kind of support. This show is very f@#king special. So let people know. (They'll be better for having watched it. I mean it.)
Trish Doherty - 4/6/2007 3:12:00 PM EDT
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