NBC Ratings Revival? Numbers For New Shows "Surprisingly Strong"

Los Angeles Times:

Cue those NBC chimes. Some viewers may snicker, but it's possible -- just possible -- that a few glimmers of hope are shining for the network whose troubles are so well known that even Jay Leno jokes about them.

Over the last few years, the network has become nearly as well known for its management miscues and skimpy ratings as for its programming lineup. But in recent days a bit of life has stirred in the old peacock.

The latest evidence comes in the form of its new Amy Poehler sitcom, "Parks & Recreation," and "Southland," the Los Angeles police drama from "ER" producer John Wells. Both series premiered Thursday to surprisingly strong numbers.

Read the whole story: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[MikeDu]

I hear EVERYBODY'S ratings are up these days. TV's free, date night at a restaurant and the movies isn't.

[thebirdstheword]

as new comedies go, Better Off Ted has been surprisingly good.

Another slant on The Office (talking directly to the camera), but not a blatant and unfunny rip-off, like Parks & Rec.

[Slapmewhenitsover]

bird up ... uh sorry, word up!

[superjules]

I really wanted to like Parks and Recreation but it just wasn't funny. I hope it gets better.

[realitybase]

I am a fan of "Life" which may or may not be renewed for a third season.

[Slapmewhenitsover]

Agreed. A really good story line and a fantastic cast.
If they do not renew, it will be the second crime of the season.
Life On Mars was the first tragedy.

[btdenver]

I bet ratings are up all the way around. People can't afford to go out and can't afford cable. So they're trying to figure out their new digital antenna, popping their own corn, getting the cheapo soda, and watching movies from the bargain bin. Downgrading to network becomes one more emblem of malaise. Ramen snackaroo with your Leno?

[iluvsam]

The best new show on NBC is "Kath and Kim". It is so funny.

[Slapmewhenitsover]

Southland certainly started out well and exhibited some realistic footage that finally portrayed LA for the quagmire that it actually is.

Parks & Recreation was pitiful, just pitiful.

[TalkTalkTAlk]

That cop on southland always looks likes hes going to cry, the rest of lapd would kick his a$$ and taser him

[SOLERSO68]

yeah but thats how the LAPD handles every situation

[Slapmewhenitsover]

ZZZZZZAAAAAPPPPP!

...and a smack in the head (or 256 smacks) for you Rodney!

[PNOGUY]

Parks & Rec is a disaster. Unfunny characters and unfunny situations. Wait 'til they take this out of the "office sandwich" it was premiered in...it will sink like a stone.

[BlackJAC]

It's actually pretty accurate in its depiction of the pettiness within town-level politics.

[thebirdstheword]

and reno 911 is accurate in it's portrayal of law enforcement.

[Kanye East]

try putting parks and rec anywhere outside of its office-office timeslot and then tell me the ratings.

[sf girl]

Ratings are ratings. Every network strategically schedules its programming to get the most viewers. It doesn't matter to the network why people are watching a show, only that they are watching it.

[SOLERSO68]

I only watch NBC affiliates as far as "the big 3" go.

[DaveVDave]

I hope NBC is back on top again soon, that is the way it seems it is supposed to be.

http://www.TheCommentDepot.com

[stllady]

Southland: Overwrit and overwrought! Phony realism amd format. No interes in Poehler show.

[allprodad]

I think "KINGS" is NBC's best new show. It has a good cast and superior writing.

[BlackJAC]

And like all creative, imaginative, quality shows, it's been torpedoed. And where exactly was the Gilboan armor when David took out the Goliath tank?

[ibivi]

I like Ian McShane but he overacts like crazy in Kings. Kings is a soap night-time soap.
Southland is a great police procedural.
Parks & Rec is a wreck.

[onyx cat]

Yeah, so naturally, it's been moved to the Saturday night death slot and will likely be cancelled. Kings rules...I hope someone saves it!

[dandypuddin]

I liked Southland and will watch again this week. Compelling show. Good acting. Authentic. Atleast the 1st episode.

[JScott]

I found it average. And if you live in Los Angeles, you can find the 'cinematic licenses' the series takes. I mean really they start out in North Hollywood and patrol all the way down to South L A.
at 116th and Fletcher (impossible those streets are NO WHERE near each other-116th St. is near the I-105 Fwy. and Fletcher Dr crosses I-5 Fwy. in the vicinity Dodger Stadium-google map it.)
they say LA is thinly partrolled but not that thin.

[blaharumph]

i agree. started watching southland after channel-fl­ipping.... never again though.

[DRaymond]

Often the geographic impossibilities of locations is intentional, since the neighbors themselves might get angry at the trourists that might show up or that REAL gangbangers might make it a point of pride to have their turf include the location.

Frankly I found Southland a better than average cop show. The only hitch is that if NBC decides to keep it they will have to put it either on the weekend or at 9PM since Leno will own 10 on weekdays.

Parks and Recreation on the other hand I found to be a lame Office rip-off.

[BlackJAC]

In all seriousness, how much patrol overlap is there between LAPD and LA County Sheriff?

And every TV show and movie takes licenses. FRINGE had an episode set in the gritty industrial seaport of Stoughton, Massachuse­tts...whic­h is really a landlocked suburb. CROSSING JORDAN had some thieves plan an escape route to Canada through the Ted Williams Tunnel...w­hich is capped at both ends by State Police barracks on a traffic light-infested road through residential neighborhoods, while I-93 North to I-91 North in the other direction will get you to Canada faster. CASTLE featured the title character having weekly poker games in New York City with Florida resident James Patterson and California resident Stephen J. Cannell.

[dandypuddin]

They can make up all the street names for all I care.