The announcement that NBC is going to fill its Thursday night with wall-to-wall sitcoms made me look at that wall closely, and I notice a few misplaced bricks.
The 8-11 p.m. schedule as of Jan. 20, 2011, goes like this: Community, Perfect Couples (a new show), The Office, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, and Outsourced.
Community is having a fantastic season in terms of creativity, but its ratings haven’t matched what deserves to be a big, fat, mass-audience hit. It’s simply too young and too recondite a show to lead off a night. When NBC decided to makes changes, it should have helped Community by placing it between the two shows that come closest to sharing its sensibility, 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation.
If I was rearranging these shows, they’d air in this order: The Office (it’s NBC’s highest-rated Thursday comedy; it can work as a lead-off show), Perfect Couples, Parks and Recreation, Community, 30 Rock, and Outsourced. (Of course, if I was actually running this night, I’d cancel Outsourced and sub it with… anything. I mean, even the last half-hour of an ER rerun. Anything.)
I agree with the notion that 30 Rock‘s audience will follow it to 10 p.m., and that it’s a 10 p.m.-ish kind of show in its sensibility anyway (and at 10, Tina Fey can get away with even dirtier double entendres; hurrah). You might say Parks and Recreation would be a gamble to lead off the 9 p.m. hour. I would say it’s time you started watching the wonderful Parks and Rec instead of CSI or Grey’s Anatomy, buster. (Just be sure to watch/DVR/save my beloved Fringe, too… )
Oh, and some tooting of one’s own horn is, I believe, justified: NBC’s moving of the excellent Parenthood to Monday nights at 10, to get it away from the equally fine, audience-overlapping The Good Wife? I predicted/wished for that, in the current issue of EW. Check it out.
What do you think of Community, Parenthood, and NBC’s moves?
Twitter: @kentucker
Good. I am glad they are moving Parenthood now if they can do something about Lauren Graham and that annoying way she talks, I would be great. Missing Amanda but loving the other teen girl and her little romance with the guy in charge of the homeless place
Crap isn’t that the same time that Castle is on? And no, I don’t have a DVR.
you seem to have the internet, watch on abc.com or hulu
Do you have OnDemand with your cable? Comcast has NBC & Parenthood OnDemand.
Same time as Castle and Hawaii Five 0….double crap.
Castle is on Monday nights…this is a Thursday night line-up. What’s the problem?
@Val – they’re moving it to Monday.
“The annoying way she talks”? C´mon, Lauren Graham is one of the greatest comedic actresses of our time. The way she delivers any dialogue is a showcase for perfect comedy.
eh, her delivery really turns me off from watching her as well.
She plays the character like a less intelligent version of her Gilmore Girls character. I find her to be a real “one-trick” pony. My kids have been watching Gilmore daily on ABC Family, and I’ve gotten very tired of Graham.
I tend to agree with steph and Jersey Jeff. Sometimes when I’m watching Parenthood I start to comment on “Lorelei”. Lauren Graham plays the role almost just alike and without all the other incredibly offbeat casts members playing off of her and a daughter who actually grounds her, she comes off very annoying. This isn’t to say the Parenthood or the other actors aren’t as good – they really are great but she throws it off for me.
Lauren Graham is a bit of a love her or hate her actress, I think. I know her delivery bugs a lot of people, but I started watching Parenthood because of her. There are lots of people who talk exactly like Graham and can relate to her characters.
This may sound dramatic, but I think Lauren Graham is currently the greatest actress on television, or anywhere really. I feel like she says more with an expression than, for example, calista flockhart says in an entire monologue on Brothers & Sisters. She was also very affecting in the film “The Answer Man” opposite the equally fantastic Jeff Daniels.
Lauren Graham’s character Sarah is SUPPOSED to be annoying. She is supposed to be impulsive and irritating but endearing at times. I think Lauren plays that character very well.
I think Community is the best second season show on right now. It was easily the best new show last year too. It has been solid throughout the past 8 episodes and from what I have read it will only pick up speed.
I agree with your issues with scheduling though. Parks and Recreation is in it’s 3rd season and should be even better this year. If they continue the way last season went then I only see good things for the 9pm hour.
The Outsourced hate is just dutiful. Have you watched the show without the this-is-racist lens? It’s quite sweet, remarkably smart about the ethnic humor, and tonally perfect for the Thursday night block. Needs to vary the romantic plot lines more, but a really promising show that deserves an honest critical evaluation.
I like Outsourced, too. If we could get away from the idea that finding humor in culture clashes is inherently racist, more people would be open to shows like this. It’s a long was from great, but I’ve been enjoying it–actually, a lot more than Parks & Recreation, which is OK but I fail to see what people find so funny about it. Also, I think Sacha Dhawan is adorable.
Oh come on, Ken! OUTSOURCED isn’t that bad! Put away your overly-sensitive “PC Police” badge and laugh out loud! The show is F-U-N-N-Y!
Oh but Nick, it’s not…not at all.
Oh but Matt, yes it is, it really is.
I love Outsourced. It can’t be that un-PC, because my Bible Belt grandparents love it too.
lol, well played Jessica.
The Office will never lead off a night, because they want it to bring viewers before and after it. At 9, it theoretically brings viewers to 8:30 AND 9:30 shows.
I’ve never heard of a tv show bringing in viewers before it airs. Friends, Cosby, etc. aired at 8 because a lot of people won’t change the channel between programs without a really good reason. They’ll change at 9pm to watch the Office and leave the station on the rest of the night but they’re not really going to change a half hour early because The Office is coming on.
@ Jessica: Bible Belt people seem to only find things offensive if it’s offensive to them.
I’m Indian and I don’t find Outsourced racist or un-PC at all. Also? It’s kind of nice to have a show with Indian leads.
I agree !
I think its the best sitcom on tv right now!! So funny!
I think Id like Outsourced so much better if Todd was gone. He’s the most cringe worthy part of the show.
For me, I don’t care if Outsourced is un-PC… I just don’t like it because it’s not funny or clever.
Those Indian leads deserve better.
I’m Indian and I totally agree with Nikki. It’s nice to see Indians on tv! Also, if you compare the jokes in Outsourced to those of most Bollywood movies, you’ll find similarly broad strokes. You may not it funny, but don’t act like you need to get it off the air to protect MY delicate sensibilities.
I’m really enjoying the inter-cultural play. I like the characters and feel like the plots are exaggerated but plausible.
Its funnier then Community, thats for sure. I hope NBC cancels Community.
F U, Ju.
Ditto SMD. But in a nicer way?
Ju has not heard of the word “than.”
Sorry, Ju, but NBC ordered two additional eps for this season, up from 22 to 24. Yea!!
You have a terrible sense of humor.
Really? Really? Are you sure you’re watching Community with quick witted Joel Mchale, crazy good improviser/tv writer/actor Donald Glover, and classic comedian Chevy Chase? You must be watching another show.
Gee Ju, why don’t you just, you know, NOT WATCH THE SHOW if you don’t like it??
If NBC cancels Community, I’ll cancel NBC! (Not a real threat. Not a real threat. Please don’t misquote this as a real threat).
I want to give Outsourced the benefit of being a new show. Both Community and Parks and Rec were not that funny when they first started. But they quickly escalated, especially Community. I feel like I’m volunteering my time to Outsourced, waiting for it to pay me back. Alas, the humor is still as empty as the American cubicles of its pilot. I’d rather see a show starring Sacha Dhawan’s character moving to America and satirizing our own idiosyncrasies in culture — oh, that was Fez in That 70s Show. Never mind.
Are you insane? Community is one of the best shows on tv right now. It’s one of those show where if you don’t like it than you’re not paying attention!
Yes! I like Outsourced!
If only Outsourced weren’t so realistic…I don’t see anything funny about the number of American jobs that have gone to India.
No show brings what “Outsourced” does. It’s very different, and ultimately pleasant and has a smart, offbeat humor. I wasn’t attracted to the show’s situation and the endlessly repeated original promo became irritating, but the show itself consistently wins.
I agree with Ken about starting the night with The Office. It’s the strongest show, which makes sense — plus I don’t care for it myself, so I could then watch Big Bang Theory instead. The newer shows should then be sandwiched. Office/Perfect, then Parks/Outsourced, then Community/30 Rock. (Should end with a strong show to help the news lead-in.)
I don’t have a problem with Outsourced, I watch it, and I even kind of enjoy it. But to say it has a “smart, offbeat humor” or any humor at all is a bit of a stretch. It’s a pleasant enough show with likable actors/characters but it is just not funny at all.
Have to agree with Kevin..People who cry about comedies not being PC are totally missing the point of comedy. That aside, I keep watching Outsourced because it’s the best thing on at that time on Thursday, but i don’t recall laughing much at all…i would be fine with them nixing it altogether, but i don’t have any big issues with it. I do agree with the point of this article tho, they DEF need to change the order of their line-up. P.S. Community hasn’t been that great so far this season, and i LOVE Joel McHale.. I feel like he was alot less surly last season. lol
The problem with Outsourced isn’t that it isn’t PC. I agree with what Tina Fey said when she was accepting the Mark Twain award — that she was honored to be given an award named after the man and that her work would be like his — in that in 100 years we’d probably think it was racist.
The problem with Outsourced isn’t it’s racial humor. It’s that it’s racial humor is horribly unfunny — as is its scatalogical humor, its relationship humor, its commercials, its intros, its outros, its cast, its writing… am I missing anything?
Me and my boyfriend like Outsourced. I don’t get the hate towards it.
Well, if your boyfriend likes it, I’ll have to give it another shot!
I like Outsourced (even tho the movie is waaay better). However, the Todd character became totally unlikeable on the last episode.
If I were running EW, I’d cancel Ken Tucker and sub him with… anyone. I mean, even the last few paragraphs of an old Doc Jensen column. Anything.
I agree with those here that say Outsourced is worth watching. I’m of Indian descent myself, and I don’t get why people of other ethnicities get outraged at it. Gee, clean the sand out of your lady parts and stop being such hypocrites.
jony, judging from the comments here, most people who don’t like the show, regardless of their ethnicity, simply don’t like the show because it’s just bad. It really is. You can see the jokes coming a mile away because you saw them all in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The situations just aren’t that interesting and the relationships are forced. I would find it a bit more watchable if they would do away with the love interest the main character whom’s name I have’t care enough to remember has because those two have no chemistry. And we don’t need another mediocre will they/won’t they couple on TV. Then, they need to do away with that obnoxious guy that was on The Drew Carey Show, reduce the role of the guy who wants to be manager because frankly “Dwight Schrute” has set a bar few people can reach, and then stop with the every episode moronic jokes with the quiet girl and that other loser guy (not the one that flirts with customers on the phone – the other even more pathetic one). I watched about four episodes because I was too lazy to find the remote and they were all terrible. Seriously, it needs major rework.
@ Millie : If people don’t like it, fair enough. But what’s annoying is to see a bunch of pasty faced online writers get their panties in a twist and over-sensitive at some non-existent race issue.
Another thing, you mention love interests. Well, it’s cheap humor, who cares who sleeps with who, it’s a comedy, not a drama. I watch it for the easy laughs, and this show has a lot of realism going its way. I can tell you this, because I actually live in an Indian community and I can relate to it. I actually find the quiet girl pretty funny btw.
I’d also argue against any rework. It’s fine the way it is, I’ll send you a remote for Christmas
I love Outsourced. There is nothing else like it on TV. The characters are the right amount of goofy, and it’s witty approach to teetering the PC line is very well done. I’m not sure Ken knows what he’s talking about…
So happy to see the love for Outsourced! I actually really enjoy this show.
Actually, Outsourced is very funny and I like it a lot!
I also like the show. I don’t watch it when it comes on. I’ll watch it “on demand.”
No it isn’t. The writing is lazy. PC has nothing to do with it.
Nick-why did you start this PC rant? Did Ken Tucker say he didn’t like the show because it’s racist or not PC. I didn’t read that
skylarportland on February 11, 2010 Exactly. Even if you go tghruoh consumer credit counseling, your credit is still harmed almost as bad ( consumer credit is just a baby step up from bankruptcy ), BUT you’re having to pay a couple hundred $ usually, every month, and that mark still stays on your credit, which harms if you should need to finance a vehicle, home, etc. Loans tend to use your debt/income ratio now, so filing bankruptcy loosens this ratio up, thereby increasing your loan options if you chose to.
Funny out of everything else they list outsourced is the ONLY show out of the comedy block that we DO watch. EW has been in love with 30 Rock for years, in fact to the point I think they single handedly were able to keep it on the air. would have been canceled on any other newwork even CW it would have go canceled
That’s because the show is just genuinely good writing. There hasn’t been that good tv comedy writing since Arrested Development. That’s just…the truth. The characters and actors are so strong that the audience wants to see them in any and every situation. The supporting cast includes Matt Damon for christ’s sake. I will never understand why 30 Rock is not as well watched as a CBS show. As a future TV writer it kinda pisses me off.
Hey Monty, Christ here. I personally can’t stand Matt Damon, so I had him do cameos on 30 Rock. Ha, that’ll teach the little douchenhouser to screw with Jimmy Kimmel’s yiddishe girlfriend!
Amen to that. Political correctness run amok as usual. I really enjoy Outsourced…and that’s all I’ve got to say about that!
I’m with you. I actually really like Outsourced.
I wish that they would move the Event, it’s just in such a difficult time slot and deserves better. I wouldn’t have put outsourced at 10:30 — I would have switched it with parks and recreation.
Personally, I would follow Parks and Recreation no matter what its timeslot is (the same goes for any show I adore). NBC could air it at 3am, and I’ll be watching. But I know everyone is not like me. If they were to have it lead off the 9pm hour, and following a new show at 8:30, I would be worried about other people not tuning in. So I am glad they gave P&R the post-Office timeslot.
Parks and Rec is still the funniest show in the line-up. I’m pissed NBC is treating it like crap.
Treating Parks and Rec like crap? They’re giving it the prime spot right after The Office. Whatever airs after The Office is going to get a huge ratings boost. That’s actually the single greatest thing they could do for Parks and Rec.
I am SO with you.
The only time a comedy other than The Office has gotten decent ratings in recent years is when they air after The Office. I’m really glad Parks and Recreation is finally getting that slot. I think that Ken Tucker’s suggestion would end in a quick death for P&R.
Yea, Parks is the funniest show on tv.
Bring back Mouse-Rat!
Why did they move Parenthood to Mondays at 10pm?! That is the same time as Hawaii 5-0. If NBC had any smarts, they’d cancel Biggest Loser and move Parenthood to 9pm on Tuesdays (Avoids Glee and NCIS, but allows for the show to build a bigger fan base).
Hey, Biggest Loser is the 500 pound elephant in the room for NBC (yes, pun intended). It’s their highest-rated show and their only huge hit! Good luck with them cancelling that one… not gonna happen.
I know! I DVR Castle and Hawaii 5-0. I can’t DVR 3 shows….moving Parenthood to Monday night is going to sink it in the ratings.
completely disagree, the audiences are different
They don’t move it to Tuesday, cause American Idol goes in on Tuesday after the new year. Despite what everyone says about Idol and quality, ratings-wise its would still slaughter Parenthood, then they’d be force to move it again anyways.
I wish they would have moved Parenthood to an earlier time slot since it is a family show.
I also wish they would have moved Community back. It’s a great show but it can only do so much against Big Bang Theory, partly because I’m willing to bet there is a large overlap in their audiences. I think it would see a ratings increase if it was on at a later hour rather than kicking off the night.
Watching CBS comedy is like voting for Sarah Palin.
But SOMETHING has to air against Big Bang Theory. I wish Community was winning, though.
I agree, BBT is stiff competition because it’s an established show with a loyal audience. Community is HILARIOUS and original. There is nothing like it on TV but it’s also new and still growing it’s fan base. I was torn when the put them back to back. I HAVE to watch Bones. That’s my show so I was left having to choose and I thought for sure BBT would win but Community is so funny and has stolen my heart. I can watch episodes over and over and laugh just as hard every time.
Seriously! I wish NBC would give Community a better time slot; I think it’s been way better than The Office this season, it deserves better ratings, and as the article said, people who like 30 Rock and Parks & Rec would probably like Community as well.
Oh, and Outsourced isn’t that bad. It’s a decent show. Not as strong as the rest of NBC’s comedies, but it’s fine, and better than some of the CBS comedies.
Of course, if I was actually running the night, I would have picked up Better Off Ted after ABC treated it like dirt, and given it a spot instead of either Outsourced or Perfect Couples.
I love Outsourced!
RIP Better Off Ted. So good, so unappreciated.
preach sister!
miss Lem and Phil more than i can articulate
Better Off Ted was an AWESOME show! If they don’t move Community to a later time, it will suffer the same demise. Such a great ensemble cast.
I will watch Parenthood no matter what night it is on. I love it. I don’t like the addition of the Baldwin, and I wish they would give Amber a boyfriend and give Drew a storyline, but other than that I love it.
(numbly banging head against wall) I just want my Parks & Recreation. I just want my Parks & Recreation…
Ha! I feel the same way. Last week, I realized I was going through severe Parks and Rec withdrawal. And then I realized I had some of my favorite season 2 episodes saved on my DVR. I watched the Sweetums episode the other day and it was just as hilarious now as it was the first time I saw it!
I just watched the one where Ron got shot.
B*tches be crazy!!!
My TiVo has a built in DVD burner so when I get 8 episodes of Parks & Recreation, The Office or 30 Rock, I just dub them to dvd and have my own box sets.
Great Parenthood is Monday at 10. My husband DVRs Hawaii5-0 and I DVR Castle. Something will have to get ditched. But which show?
You could also watch one of them OnDemand if you have access to that. But personally I’d ditch Castle.
Hawaii 50 for sure ugh
Not a bad schedule Ken, but I feel that an hour of Parks and Rec and Community, while comprising the best comedy on TV, would die in the ratings. I’d prefer The Office, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, Community, then those other two shows no one cares about.
6 million people care about OUTSOURCED, you dummy !
Shut up, Ju!
Move it to ANY other place than immediately after The Office and we’ll see how many people care about it. Personally, I watch it and it’s ok, but it’s in serious trouble being moved to 10:30.
Please move “Community” back to 9:00 or 9:30.
Monday nights are the only night we actually watch TV – for Chuck – so the Parenthood move just means we won’t HAVE to catch it On Demand anymore (no DVR).
I watched Community last year and loved it! Not this year. Not funny at all, I really dont know what happened to this show…
OUTSOURCED is hilarious!!
I dont care what some people are saying. I always laugh so hard when I watch it.
I agree. I’m not finding as much humor in Community anymore. I didn’t find this last episode (The Stolen Pen)to be very funny at all. Sadness…
Could not disagree more. WAY funnier this year. LOVE me some Community. It’s finally letting it’s freak flag fly!
I agree with you, Ken. Putting The Office to open the comedy night makes more sense. I actually don’t watch The Office, but I do watch Community, 30 Rock and P&R – Community needs to find its audience. 30 Rock is perfect for 10pm. NBC move is just fine, I’m just worried about community in that time slot.