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Full Order for Studio 60

November 10, 2006

Rumors were swirling that it was about to be cancelled, but NBC today announced a full order for ''Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” The embattled TV show about an embattled TV show has been asked to complete the full 22 episodes of their season.

It’s all about the money, kids.

Critics cite expensive production costs rumored to be anywhere from $2-$7 million dollars per episode. But despite that price tag and the star-studded ensemble cast, "Studio 60" hasn't fulfilled eyeball expectations.

(Let’s be clear, when we say that it doesn’t have a big audience, we’re still talking about 7.7 million people watching on Monday night.)

Now here’s the bottom line: According to AP, the audience for ''Studio 60'' is among prime-time TV's highest concentrations of affluent and college-educated viewers -- those in homes with incomes of $75,000 and up. And that's good for advertisers.

What do you think? Is "Studio 60" worth the commitment?

Topsy Turvy Thursday

November 09, 2006

When DeathWatch was launched in late September, the Anne Heche relationship drama “Men in Trees” shot directly to the number one spot. It debuted in a Friday night timeslot, it was criticized as a “Northern Exposure” rip-off, and it was a vehicle for Anne Heche. So there was plenty of reason to assume that it would be cancelled soon into it’s first season. Last night, ABC asked for a full order of the show, and moved it to Thursday nights -- the spot previously reserved for “Six Degrees.”

"Six Degrees" -- which show is that? Well, the “every New Yorker is connected because they’ve slept with someone or robbed them and we’re all fundamentally sad people” drama has failed to capture an audience, and the show's ratings have plummeted (a 7.3 premiere down to a 3.1 this week), even with a lead-in from ratings powerhouse “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC has said that they will “probably” bring it back in January, but they’ve failed to give a date. We’ve placed it in a coma.

Remember, you've got just three more days to vote in this round of the Fall '06 Deathwatch. There could be a video iPod or a flat screen TV in your future!

"Jericho" Splits Season

November 08, 2006

Zap2it is running a particularly interesting bit about “Jericho” today. CBS has decided to split the season of the Skeet Ulrich “end of the world” drama about a small town in Kansas.

Much like “Lost” and “Prison Break,” CBS will be showing the entire season in two "repeat-free" segments. The first half of the season will be closing up on November 29th, ( undoubtedly with a cliffhanger) while the second half will air in late February.

We at the DeathWatch have our theories about this. “Jericho” happens to be the show that we’re all watching as a guilty pleasure. The writers, the actors, and pretty much everyone involved in this show seem both excited and completely freaked out that the show has been given a full order.

It almost seems as though “Jericho” had been counting on its original 13- episode order, and to complete the back nine, they've slowed down to really think about it.

In its time slot, CBS will be returning “The King of Queens” to the air for six weeks. We’re actually excited to see where the writers intend to take the storyline on “Jericho.” It’s hard to raise the stakes on a show that starts with Nuclear war. Really, at that point -- what’s the worst that can happen?

Last call for “Happy Hour”

November 06, 2006

When we originally placed "Happy Hour" in a coma back in September, we never thought we’d hear from the boozy little sitcom again.

So, we had to admit our surprise when, last week, Fox actually brought it back from hiatus after the World Series aired. And on Thursday, it appeared as a lead-in to the Season Premiere of "The O.C."

But the miraculous recovery was short-lived. After that one return airing, Fox has now pulled the plug. Was it the 1.4 rating it received last week? The mediocre reviews? Whatever the cause, "Happy Hour" is really dead. We think.