For what it's worth, here's Variety's advice to the WB. Some interesting bits here which *might* point to there being more openings on the WB's schedule for DS than might otherwise be assumed, but there's no specific mention of DS. (Also, if Variety has tapped into the WB's thinking, there goes the idea of a WB DS following Smallville):
Posted: Sun., May 9, 2004, 6:00am PT
Frog, UPN face season of challenges
Advice for netlets: get more dramatic
By RICK KISSELL
LAST IN A THREE-PART ANALYSIS
HOLLYWOOD -- One year after riding high and setting network records right and left, the Frog leaped back to earth this season.
But armed with the knowledge of some sked mistakes and a smart strategy on how to cut down on long stretches of repeats, the WB is still a force to be reckoned with heading into 2004-05 television season.
Key to the unveiling of this fall's Frog sked could be the relocation of both its top drama ("Smallville") and comedy ("Reba") as well as novel ways of double-pumping shows.
In the third of a three-part series looking at the nets prior to the upfronts, here's a peek at the WB and UPN:
The WB
The loss of "Dawson's Creek" combined with declines by other hit shows made for some ugly year-to-year comparisons for the Frog. Net has acknowledged it came late to the reality dance, too, and improvement in this area could also help its perf next season.
It still has a foundation of hit shows, including late-blooming rookie drama "One Tree Hill," and will likely look to add a couple of new dramas and comedies to its sked.
Idea of double-pumping some series weekly (same episode twice) and having two series share a time period (a la "Felicity" and "Jack and Jill" a few years ago) is a great one.
Look for the Frog to use tough slots like Sunday at 7 and maybe Thursday at 8 to air encore episodes of dramas. For example, "Everwood" could play Monday at 9 and Thursday at 8 for 13 weeks in the fall, sit out while a new skein airs in the same pattern during winter and then return for the last nine weeks of the season.
This would nearly eliminate repeats in the Monday hour while allowing the net to recoup ad revs by playing "Everwood" a second time.
One of the WB's problems this past season was the move of its top shows ("Smallville" and "Reba") to the 8 o'clock hour, and putting less popular shows behind them to air in higher-viewed timeslots.
Look for "Reba," a strong performer on Friday, to get a chance on a midweek night, possibly Wednesday, while the net keeps its Friday comedy lineup, with "Grounded for Life" and "What I Like About You" both still in the mix.
"Steve Harvey's Big Time" performed well for the net on Thursday and deserves to be back in some form as well.
As for dramas, net might rejigger some of its pieces, with important skein "Smallville" likely headed back to a 9 o'clock slot after suffering sharp ratings declines when moved to Wednesdays at 8.
Among new shows, "The Mountain" (a family drama set at a mountain ski resort) sounds like a winner and could have more male appeal than most Frog hours. Net also seems to be high on "Jack and Bobby" (a drama about two brothers, one of whom is destined to become president), a possible contender to share a timeslot with "Everwood."
And promising half-hours include family laffers "Shacking Up" with Fran Drescher, "Commando Nanny" from Mark Burnett and "Blue Collar Comedy" with Jeff Foxworthy.
Also encouraging is the net's plan for original movies, which in success would help bring new viewers to the net while further reducing the number of repeats.
Bottom line: The WB needs to generate some heat with a new drama or reality show and give "Reba" a chance to showcase comedy for the Frog on a higher-profile night.[/b]
Date in print: Mon., May 10, 2004, Weekly
Topic: WB ORDERS FILMING OF NEW DS PILOT (Read 173592 times)