Cougar Town/Scrubs Creator Bill Lawrence Has a Lot to Say About the State of Network TV
The recalibration of Scrubs has caused fans to stir. What was the biggest perk of pretty much overhauling the old set-up?
Aw, shoot, man. This is going to sound philanthropic, and it's not meant to be, but the best outcome and the main reason behind this decision -- which I'm sure people don't buy completely -- but Scrubs as a business has ceased to be profitable for me. For real, Scrubs has ceased to be profitable for me, because it's maxed out on its syndication. When it was on NBC, it cost $2 million to make, and it cost a licensing fee of $2.5, studios in profit, and of that profit I own a big percentage. When it went to ABC, because now that there's so much consolidation between networks and studios, they're able to self-deal. So part of the deal was, "We'll put Scrubs on, but even though you're going to make the show for $1.8 million, we're only going to only pay a million an episode for it." The show for the studio that year is going to lose money, lose millions of dollars. For the network it's going to make lots of money. And it was so bad that there was an argument that, by doing a ninth year of Scrubs, that the previous eight years would be worth less money to me. Like, as a studio, they're going to say to me, "We lost so much as a studio this year, we're going to take some of your money back."
That's why we wanted to change the title. We signed a legal agreement saying that Scrubs was over after eight years. And it was done. So, yeah, the ninth year isn't profitable for me. Long story [short], what was cool about it, in a tough economy where there's only 10 live-action comedies on television, a group of people -- 105 people -- all got another year working on it.
Now, following this whole Conan/Jay fiasco...
Is this 'Will I do the 11:35 show?' Because the answer is yes.
Close! Do you think this is going to force late-night's formula to change? To upgrade?
I think late night is ready to be redefined. There's not enough celebrities to go around to sit on a couch and talk about their movies for three straight hours. I think what's cool -- and generally what happens in this medium, in TV -- someone redefines it, and then you get some kind of fun avant-garde stuff, and -- and this is what could happen to multicamera sitcoms -- it makes the old comfort food seem new again, because you haven't seen in awhile. It's this cycle that perpetuates itself, you know? I need it to happen with comedy, I really want a true multicamera show to nail it, other than CBS's factory.
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Comments
Throwback sitcoms will save the networks? It may work while their existing, older audiences turn in; but it fails to attract younger viewers for the future. If we don't watch network television for our 20s and 30s why are we sudenly going to tune back in at 40?
Network shows, with a few exceptions, are the elder-care of television. As the younger audiences have become more fragmented by the numerous choices on cable, the Networks have taken to fighting over an increasingly older audience. Raymond is a great example, my parents and grandparents love it, I'd rather do anything else. I barely watch CBS now, except for How I met your Mother, more shows like Raymond aren't helping. What happens to CBS in 20 years, if my generations tastes don't change? Their audience is shrinking as it ages, the networks will die with them.
CBS is a wasteland of shows to entertain your grandparents. NBC is trying to follow CBS, thinking Leno attracts a larger, but older audience. Not to mention remakes of every 70/80s show they can find. ABC is the only network I see consistently trying for more youthful shows(Modern Family, Better of Ted, Pushing Daisies), but to less than stellar success. Foxes animation Sundays have been showing age for years, and adult swim rebroadcasts most of it at more convenient times.
I can list many more, better shows on the cable networks; Daily Show, Colbert, Sarah Silverman, Psyche, Burn Notice, Venture Brothers, Sunny in Phileadelphia, Mad Men, Dexter, Weeds, anything on HBO, etc... We didn't abandon the networks, they abandoned us.
Blah you are completely 100% right about CBS its a wasteland of geriatric shows but I think your wrong about NBC they put out some good scripted television just look at Chuck, 30 Rock, The Office (When it was in its prime), Community isn't to bad. But yeah things are steadily going to the Cable networks but Im thinking Network television has 1 or 2 more gems left.
I started watching Cougar Town because of the title!
Shouldn't Cougar Town be on Animal Planet alongside Merecat Manor?
Cougartown is such a stupid show. As a woman I am so offended by this show! It should be called the I hate women show based on the title alone. Then I tried to watch this garbage. Courtney cox is the most unrealistic testosterone filled man chaser in this role. Her character is made to look desperate. The men on the show, even the most unnattractive ones are made into supposed sex symbols. This show is completely unrealistic male ego brushing crap. The characters are so shallow. Sorry I prefer Carrie Bradshaw! She was intelligent with substance.
I can't believe it, Lady Gaga won eight VMA awards Sunday night. I am definitely happy for her achievements and I like the Born This Way piece she sang also!