Cougar Town/Scrubs Creator Bill Lawrence Has a Lot to Say About the State of Network TV
Lawrence also weighed in on Conan O'Brien's recent displacement to a throng of reporters.
On O'Brien leaving The Tonight Show:
"It wasn't his. He deserved his shot. I would've been disappointed as a fan had he kinda walked back with his tail between his legs. I think sometimes tough decisions lead to better things, and for a lot of us, and comedy writers are all talking about this today -- if we had the balls to do the same thing -- it makes you cross your fingers and hope that, whether you're a Jay fan or not, hope that Conan finds some success and makes them pay for it... Do I believe it's the best long-term decision? Not for me, personally. It's easy to throw stones when i don't do that for a living."
On the very existence of The Jay Leno Show and its 9 PM timeslot:
"When I saw somebody that I felt was effectively trying to hurt scripted television, I felt it was so short-sided."
On whether there's a good side to the late-night fiasco:
"If there's a positive out of this, it's that network television, while it does survive, is going to survive on the basis on scripted shows. If things stand the test of time and generate a fan base, it's a good thing. As a guy who said for years that reality wouldn't work or who picks who as a date, and I've always been wrong, it's so satisfying to say, 'That's not going to work.'"
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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!