Cougar Town/Scrubs Creator Bill Lawrence Has a Lot to Say About the State of Network TV

Who do you think serves as a beacon for this kind of change?

I don't know, man, you never expect it. Let's be honest: Jon Stewart did it first. If that were a network show, it would be successful, and it's not in the same vein as these guys. It's snarky, and it goes after the issues, and it's an equal-opportunity offender. You know? Maybe the transition to that kind of sensibility [can work] on network TV. My dad is as conservative as they get, and he tells me every night what he liked about The Daily Show.

Have we reached a point where the reign of reality TV can never be stopped? Is there a scripted comedy that can win control back?

The cynic in me says that there's no real chance anymore for the true, giant, grab-the-zeitgeist-by-the-hold monster hit, unless you are something like American Idol that appeals to all levels of age, economy, everything. Only because television, and it's exciting for writers, except from the network angle, has become a niche media. My father has 200 channels, man. He likes to watch what he likes. He watches Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. He loves that shit. You know? When I was a kid, I knew CBS, Monday night, M*A*S*H* was on. But like, now, Modern Family, biggest breakout comedy hit of the year? When I was doing Spin City, that demo rating wouldn't have been in the top 50. And that's not a long lifetime ago. So that's the reality.

What's will revitalize multicamera sitcoms for you? Is there a particular idea that, now, would strike a nerve?

It's not about the idea. It's the exact opposite. Multicamera sitcoms are 100% about execution. When multicamera sitcoms fail, besides for obvious reasons, which is they're miscast or poorly written or there's no chemistry, there was a wave when they really started to fail -- when single-camera comedy got popular. In single-camera, you can go out on locations, and they seem more modern and hipper, and there was this wave of multicamera sitcoms -- and I think I even made a pilot that didn't work -- that were trying to be cool and hip. Like 'Hey! It's three single gals that live by themselves in a cool apartment in SoHo!' Except that there's backdrops and everyone stands around. It didn't work. "They say 'frack' and 'fudge'!" Multicamera works when it's a throwback. You look at Raymond, what CBS is doing, those are shows that could've been on TV -- albeit a little less raunchy -- 20 years before. That's what someone needs. They need that lucky chemistry of cast, decent writing, good producing. It's pure escapist entertainment. I know it still works. Two reasons, man: One, I still watch reruns and like them, as do a lot of people. Two, if you look at the highest-rated shows on cable TV, they are as traditional as a four-camera sitcom comes, when you look at Hannah Montana or Suite Life of Zach and Cody. And by the way, it's so weird, as a producer, that you hear executives go, "Man. These kids! Their attention spans! You have to feed them little bits of comedy!" Except for the millions of kids that are watching traditional sitcoms on the Disney Channel. Those kids are different.

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Comments

  • blah says:

    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.

  • Peter says:

    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.

  • cougar lover says:

    I started watching Cougar Town because of the title!

  • stretch65 says:

    Shouldn't Cougar Town be on Animal Planet alongside Merecat Manor?

  • Cynthia says:

    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!