While certainly not coming out and saying that it's renewing Friday night's freshman series Moonlight, CBS does not compare the show to Jericho which should be seen by Moonlight fans as a very good thing. She also points out Moonlight is not serialized as Jericho was.
The Hollywood Reporter posted a brief interview with CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler and THR tried to compare the two shows. Tassler wasn't buying it.
THR: Will CBS be less likely to renew a show with passionate fans but low ratings in the wake of "Jericho"? "Moonlight" looks like it could, sooner or later, turn into a similar situation.
Tassler: One thing "Moonlight" has going for it is it wins its time period. Unlike "Jericho," "Moonlight" is not serialized. Moonlight was a presentation (rather than a pilot). By the time the strike hit, we were still making certain discoveries and exploring new ideas and the show's mythology.
In reference to Cane & Shark, Tassler said both shows were still on the bubble, but made it sound like Cane was already a goner calling it a "long shot". She also seems fine and pleased with both the New Adventures of Old Christine and How I Met Your Mother and said that The Big Bang Theory was giving all the indications it would be a hit prior to the strike. Tassler also said that CBS would like to open up another night for comedy, and that it was definitely on the horizon. This leads me to believe NONE of the CBS comedies are likely to be cancelled, inlcuding Rules of Engagement. Please note, for the record: I think there is no way in he77 CBS will cancel The Big Bang Theory, despite what I might have inferred here.
It also looks like they won't be sticking CSI: Miami in the Tuesday 10pm slot,but it doesn' look like Tassler views this as the "death slot". CSI: Miami did very well in that slot when it was placed there as the second of a two-part episode from the Monday night before it.
Tassler: One thing “Moonlight” has going for it is it wins its time period. Unlike “Jericho,” “Moonlight” is not serialized. Moonlight was a presentation (rather than a pilot). By the time the strike hit, we were still making certain discoveries and exploring new ideas and the show’s mythology.
I love the BS that these execs spin for shows that get the right demos. I’m sure that Tassler could care less about “making certain discoveries and exploring new ideas” if the show ratings were in the toilet.
And I say this as neither a Moonlight nor Jericho fan.
Tassler: One thing “Moonlight” has going for it is it wins its time period. Unlike “Jericho,” “Moonlight” is not serialized. Moonlight was a presentation (rather than a pilot). By the time the strike hit, we were still making certain discoveries and exploring new ideas and the show’s mythology.
I love the BS that these execs spin for shows that get the right demos. I'm sure that Tassler could care less about “making certain discoveries and exploring new ideas” if the show ratings were in the toilet.
And I say this as neither a Moonlight nor Jericho fan.
Andrea, bingo!
The commercial TV networks produce advertising opportunities, not “art”.
Every time someone involved in the TV business starts talking about it as if it were art, my bs detector fires up.
Andrea, bingo!
The commercial TV networks produce advertising opportunities, not “art”.
Every time someone involved in the TV business starts talking about it as if it were art, my bs detector fires up.
not meant to be sarcastic… what art is not meant to be profitable by the artist?
not meant to be sarcastic… what art is not meant to be profitable by the artist?
OK, I think from a writer, an actor or a director there’s some legitimate discussion of art in the TV business, but network executives are no more artists than the executives at GM, and their motivations are identical. Produce their product [advertising opportunities, cars] for the greatest profit possible.
Instead of “someone involved in the TV business” I should have written “TV network executives”.
OK, I think from a writer, an actor or a director there's some legitimate discussion of art in the TV business, but network executives are no more artists than the executives at GM, and their motivations are identical. Produce their product [advertising opportunities, cars] for the greatest profit possible.
Instead of “someone involved in the TV business” I should have written “TV network executives”.
While normally my BS detector is well aligned with Bill’s, I think CBS may view this show as “artsy” relative to any other show on its schedule, and it would be a legitimate view. Most of their scripted dramas are entirely formulaic. You could probably google “how to write a CSI script”. I’m reasonably sure (though not 100%) Tassler would never use “art” and “Big Brother” in the same sentence.
That said, if Moonlight was only drawing 6 million viewers and never had 2 million 18-49 viewers (it had 3 million or over, at least a few times) there would be no “art” to the decision making process regarding renewing or cancelling.
While normally my BS detector is well aligned with Bill's, I think CBS may view this show as “artsy” relative to any other show on its schedule, and it would be a legitimate view. Most of their scripted dramas are entirely formulaic. You could probably google “how to write a CSI script”. I'm reasonably sure (though not 100%) Tassler would never use “art” and “Big Brother” in the same sentence.
That said, if Moonlight was only drawing 6 million viewers and never had 2 million 18-49 viewers (it had 3 million or over, at least a few times) there would be no “art” to the decision making process regarding renewing or cancelling.
Although I like Moonlight a lot, Jericho is a lot more deserving then Moonlight to keep going. I love both shows, but Moonlight seems to go for the more usual type of CBS show, while Jericho really sticks out in a network full of cop and reality shows.
Although I like Moonlight a lot, Jericho is a lot more deserving then Moonlight to keep going. I love both shows, but Moonlight seems to go for the more usual type of CBS show, while Jericho really sticks out in a network full of cop and reality shows.
James, on this Bill and Andrea are spot-on. More deserving = more advertising opportunities. In that regard, by all the metrics that are actually used (whether you agree with them or not), Moonlight is more deserving.
James, on this Bill and Andrea are spot-on. More deserving = more advertising opportunities. In that regard, by all the metrics that are actually used (whether you agree with them or not), Moonlight is more deserving.
I wouldn’t be surprised if both Rules of Engagement and Old Christine returned. The only problem with RoE is that it needs 2.5 Men as a great lead-in to do well. Old Christine already has enough buzz surrounding it to do well in a different timeslot, I think.
I think Shark is a goner if it doesn’t do well on Tuesdays and I think Cane is probably dead in the water as well. Moonlight returning is a sure bet.
I said that it would be sensible for no network to pick up Jericho, but I wouldn’t be surprised knowing what I know now that Sci-Fi and USA would be seen picking it up. USA needs an establishment show for its upcoming Sunday lineup and Sci-Fi needs something to play instead of BSG.
I wouldn't be surprised if both Rules of Engagement and Old Christine returned. The only problem with RoE is that it needs 2.5 Men as a great lead-in to do well. Old Christine already has enough buzz surrounding it to do well in a different timeslot, I think.
I think Shark is a goner if it doesn't do well on Tuesdays and I think Cane is probably dead in the water as well. Moonlight returning is a sure bet.
I said that it would be sensible for no network to pick up Jericho, but I wouldn't be surprised knowing what I know now that Sci-Fi and USA would be seen picking it up. USA needs an establishment show for its upcoming Sunday lineup and Sci-Fi needs something to play instead of BSG.
Shane, SciFi will have the BSG prequel Caprica to play. I would be beyond shocked if USA picked it up.
Shane, SciFi will have the BSG prequel Caprica to play. I would be beyond shocked if USA picked it up.
Moonlight is terrific and definitely deserves a 2nd season pick up by CBS! The show has a lot to offer viewers as it is not your typical drama. It is fresh, intriguing and defintely draws the viewer into the storyline. The on-screen chemistry between Mick and Beth is phenomenal and this is rare. Actually, the entire cast just seem to click with each other and it just fits perfectly.
There is a special re-broadcast of episode 12, “The Mortal Cure” on April 18th as a lead-in to the new episodes beginning on April 25th. If you haven’t seen Moonlight yet, please give it a try when it returns to CBS – you’ll be glad you did!
Moonlight is terrific and definitely deserves a 2nd season pick up by CBS! The show has a lot to offer viewers as it is not your typical drama. It is fresh, intriguing and defintely draws the viewer into the storyline. The on-screen chemistry between Mick and Beth is phenomenal and this is rare. Actually, the entire cast just seem to click with each other and it just fits perfectly.
There is a special re-broadcast of episode 12, “The Mortal Cure” on April 18th as a lead-in to the new episodes beginning on April 25th. If you haven't seen Moonlight yet, please give it a try when it returns to CBS – you'll be glad you did!