Re: In 2007 networks moving away from serials


David wrote:
from broadcasting and cable

Self-Contained Dramas To Dominate '07
By Jim Benson

Although a flurry of serialized dramas in the mold of Lost and 24 are
premiering this season, it's the traditional, closed-ended formats
that will likely rule the 2007-08 season. Network development
executives say they're seeing a big change in the drama pilots being
pitched for next year. The 20 or so drama scripts on NBC's 2007-08
plate, for example, lack the serialized elements that characterize
many of this fall's new series, such as ABC's The Nine and NBC's
Kidnapped.

--- I'll believe it when I see it, but yeah, it's about time.


"Lots of drama writers and studios are thinking that, now, when the
networks are hitting the tipping point on serialization, they should
be looking to make more closed-ended procedurals," says Katherine
Pope, executive VP of NBC Entertainment.

--- No, not procedurals!


Over at ABC, it's "more self-contained storylines," says Francie
Calfo, executive VP of development and current programs, in the
pitches and four drama scripts that have earned commitments.

The trend could represent belated recognition by studios and producers
that the big money continues to lie in syndication. Many networks and
content providers have been aiming their product toward on-demand
media like iPods, home to such serialized hits as ABC's Desperate
Housewives and Lost. But that business is in its infancy and pales in
comparison with the massive paydays for syndication.

--- Belated recognition by studios and producers that the big money
continues to lie in syndication? What, is this something new they're
learning? Hasn't it been so for the last 50 years.


Off-network buyers are willing to pay more for closed-ended dramas,
such as the Law & Order and CSI franchises, which can fetch $1
million-$2 million per episode. In contrast, Housewives recently
received $500,000 per episode from Lifetime, since reruns of shows
demanding ongoing viewer commitment traditionally perform poorly in
syndication.

--- This is what I kept saying from day one.


For that matter, the reruns don't do much better on the networks.
Housewives, for instance, has averaged a 1.7 rating/5 share in adults
18-49, ranking 73rd overall in the key demo, through the first 11
weeks of this summer.

--- In fact, DH and other soap reruns do about 4 times worse than their
original episodes, while CSI and L&O reruns do about half or so of
their original. This has been no secret for years.


Serialized dramas exploded on network fall schedules after the success
in recent years of such series as Prison Break and Lost. While the
glut has led to a shift in tactics on the part of producers and
studios, one or two hits this fall could change the equation.

--- Okay, so now there won't be any serialized shows and reality shows
kind of exhausted themselves and sitcoms are nowhere to be found, so
what do we have to look forward to in 2007?


Pope says NBC is "pretty well aware" of what it has in terms of drama
by this point each year. But since all the networks have embraced more
year-round development, another serialized concept could still
potentially emerge for next year.

While ABC is aiming for more "balance" between serialized and
self-contained on its schedule, says Calfo, she insists that the
network is still in the hunt for the next big drama idea-no matter how
it is structured. "If I was pitched The Nine today, I would buy it in
the room," she says of ABC's serialized drama about hostages in a bank
robbery.

--- What balance? Seems like every drama ABC has is a serial.


For his part, Fox Executive VP Craig Erwich has not seen a big
difference in the types of drama pitches received at his network,
which has enjoyed great success with serialized formats, such as
Prison Break. Fox has completed about 70% of its drama script
commitments for next year, he says.

CBS and The CW declined to comment.

The avalanche of serialized shows, coupled with a prolonged drought of
successful comedies, has greatly reduced the number of sitcoms on the
fall schedules. The desperate need for new comedies has led the
networks to spend more money earlier to secure scripts that can be
turned into pilots. Traditionally, they have waited until October.

"We're definitely reading a lot more comedy spec scripts," Calfo says.
"Writers see an opportunity for one show to put a spark back into the
comedy arena."

--- I predict the laughs will start to come back in 2007-08, that there
will be some kind of a breakout hit that'll be cloned by others. Mark
my words.


Because of its success with offbeat comedies My Name Is Earl and The
Office, NBC-struggling to get out of fourth place-has been getting
more non-traditional pitches. It already has 15 quirky "big-idea"
sitcoms in development between new material and projects rolled over
from last season, says Pope: "Nothing is sacred or off-limits."

The NBC list includes a script commitment to feature writer Dan
Fogelman (Cars, The 12th Man) for a show called Lipshitz Saves the
World, about a 15-year-old nerd who lives up to the title.

--- Lipshitz? Will that pass the FCC?


Aside from some perennial development trends, like heaven and hell and
the occult, network execs say no new themes have emerged among nascent
development projects. "Normally, there is one summer movie or book
that births lots of development," Fox's Erwich says. "Last year, it
was Wedding Crashers. I haven't seen that this year."

--- Haven't seen it this year? Maybe they should be working on more
shows about pirates maybe, birthed from Pirates of the Carribean? Even
maybe a show about internet pirates.

.