Speaking of things in trouble, I’m told “Lie to Me” is hanging by a thread (to use a Bill axiom). Anyone out there who likes the show and is measured by A.C. Nielsen in any way, shape or form, you might want to make sure your viewership is counted tonight. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Besides, it’s a very special episode about the best holiday in the world. Which reminds me, don’t go shopping at Wal-Mart next Friday…

I keep watching Mercy to see what everyone else’s fascination is with it, and i just don’t get it…i really don’t…i still feel the acting and story lines are horrible.

Most of the complaints i see about Trauma are it not being real/accurate from EMT or allied fields, but for me as medical professional i’m looking for entertainment, not a repeat of my work day, and i really feel Trauma is the better show.

Jimmy Fallon at 9 p.m., 5 nights!

That’s my prediction. I expect it to show some growth further along, but not enough to justify a second season.

….

I think you mean it rarely, if ever, pulled above a 2.0. For its first season you would be correct, but take a look at its second season ratings: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_(TV_series)#US_television_ratings

Four episodes the entire 21 episodes were at or above 2.0.

so right now “mercy” will be renewed despite the ratings

(facepalm)

” Again, I do think it’s probably more expensive per episode but I wouldn’t be surprised if Mercy comes in at around $900,000 an episode”

(double facepalm)

Because she got cancer, you mean? It’s not like it’s her fault..

What people ignore is that sometimes you don’t want a ‘race against time to catch the killer’ or a world-wrecker show, or even another serial drama. Sometimes you just want to kick back, relax, and enjoy a pleasant hour with enjoyable people, having more or less the same type of problems you have in your job and your life. MERCY doesn’t tie its story to the patient of the week, or to the rush to save a life. It’s about simple, everyday things, like dealing with bosses, or romantic problems, or the like.

Is it a ‘soap opera’? Sure, that was obvious the first show, but as my wife and I — both of whom usually hate soap operas — said to each other that night “Yes, but it’s a GOOD soap opera.” It’s funny, touching, and easy going.

Another year, one filled with ‘breakthrough shows’ and maybe it would be already toast. On another network it’s bye-bye. But on a year when the new shows included TRAUMA, FLASH FORWARD, THE FORGOTTEN, THREE RIVERS, this stands out as — except maybe for NCIS:LA, which we are saving up for a marathon, but which the first two episodes gave little sign of anything more than simple competence — the best drama of a very bad year.

I think, and hope, that if they just give it more time, it might find an audience that will wind up sticking around. It’s happened before, in plenty of areas.

If it dies, it won’t be a major loss, nothing to start campaigns over, but, as i said before, it deserves to make another year.

If all NBC is about is cost-cutting and producing shows that are cheap like Leno, then why do they keep any scripted programming on the air at all? Damn the affiliates, and the “lead-ins” they need for their late local newscasts… just cut a deal with YouTube and run random web videos all through prime time. Think about how much money they could save then!

There’s an applicable saying that was quoted somewhere, maybe even in a discussion thread on this site, from NPR’s Car Guys: “The frugal man spends more.”

That’s funny, I was just about to say that it was well written but poorly acted. Some of the secondary characters pull their weight, but the main character has no charisma, and black sidekick lady not only lacks charisma, but can’t act.

Some of the dialogue is really sharp, though– the situations are the standard medical drama crap though.

I think NBC will save Law and Order too. It is putting a dent in Ghost Whisperer, and may beat it sometime this season. IIRC last week it tied Ghost Whisperer in the demo.