Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Which network boasts the worst two-hour block?
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
World
Which network boasts the worst two-hour block?
Reuters - 2 hours 23 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
By Tim Goodman
LOS ANGELES - Have you ever turned on the television and then been too lazy to change the channel and "accidentally" sat through two hours of the lamest broadcast network garbage you can imagine?
I hope not. Have some self-respect. We live in a world of remotes. Press the buttons, already.
However, one look at the winter schedule the networks are foisting on us right now opens up a world of weakness.
For example, ABC has two hours of "The Bachelor" Monday night. That's a big bowl of sad, people. Watching that just tells the world that you are no longer living the dream. On Tuesdays, the CW has an hour of "One Tree Hill" followed by an hour of "Hellcats," which roughly translates to seven hours of visual pain. Why would anyone do that to themselves?
On Wednesday, NBC's combo of "Minute to Win It" and "Chase" is like dumb chasing predictable. It's the kind of lineup that not only has no flow to it, but there's no one on earth who could write a reasonable defense of watching either back-to-back.
But my vote goes to NBC for packaging "The Cape" and "Harry's Law" together on Mondays. How could this be more heinous than what the Peacock dishes out on Wednesday, you ask? Easy. "Minute to Win It" is cheap reality programing. Any third-level executive could shepherd that witless hour onto the air and get a better office out of it. "Chase" is the kind of show you put on the air when you can't make "Justified" and you don't know any good writers.
But "The Cape" looks like something that people were excited about -- they had the ambition to make something different. And "Harry's Law" is from David E. Kelley, who talked Kathy Bates into the title role.
Translation: Unlike the other two shows, some heavy lifting, organizing and greenlighting took place for these Monday shows. And what are we left with? A guy in a cape. In a show that looks like it wants to be something other than what the guy in the cape wants. Plus, he's in a cape. No matter how many ways you draw that up on a napkin at the bar, you were drunk and you had a terrible idea. There's no fixing it now.
As for Kelley and Bates, well, have you seen "Harry's Law"? If the newbies at NBC haven't fired the people behind this show, then good luck with that overhaul. "Harry's Law" is the kind of show that someone at USA would scoff at. Obviously, the problem came well before the pilot got shot. But once it was actually filmed and screened for executives, nobody said the words they should have said. And those words are: "You're kidding me, right?"
So, that's my vote. Two hours of bad television that took actual muscle to get on the air. Those are big failures. Those are the shows that you can't sweep into the dustbin of forgotten history when they get canceled. And they will get canceled. Those are the kinds of shows where people say, "Remember the guy with the cape who wasn't a superhero?" And, "What was the show that really proved Kelley was in a rut? No not that one -- the one with Kathy Bates."
And now, two networks and I'll dub the Terrible Trifecta: On Fridays, ABC has "Supernanny," "Primetime: What Would You Do" and "20/20." Nothing says "the networks are turning Fridays into a graveyard like Saturdays" than that lineup. ABC should start a "Free Pizza Friday" promotion and feed any family willing to watch those three hours back-to-back.
Then, on Sundays starting in March, NBC will lay "Dateline," "America's Next Great Restaurant" and "The Apprentice" end-to-end. Really? This can only be one massive joke by the outgoing execs at NBC, right?
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - 2 hours 20 minutes ago
Brittany Murphy death house averts forced auction Reuters - 2 hours 21 minutes ago
CBS orders replacements for "Two and a Half Men" Reuters - 2 hours 22 minutes ago
Which network boasts the worst two-hour block? Reuters - 2 hours 23 minutes ago
Terrific actors face off in "Gruesome" play Reuters - Tuesday, February 1
News Search
Top Stories
BP says makes $4.9bln annual loss, first since 1992
U2's The Edge in row over Malibu home plans
Canada investigates mass sled dog slaughter
US golfer Woods finds old habits hard to shake
Photos released to protect endangered Amazonians
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
WikiLeaks' Assange 'dressed as old woman' to evade CIA: book
Brain scan can tell if a smoker will quit
US golfer Woods finds old habits hard to shake
Egypt protesters call for 'million-man march'
Photos released to protect endangered Amazonians
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 1 February 2011 Factbox
Chirac 'very well' despite Alzheimer's claim
US-TECH Summary
Iran hangs man convicted of apostasy
Al Jazeera TV says journalists released in Egypt
U.N. told North Korea has more secret atomic sites: envoys
|
Google topples Nokia from smartphones top spot
Left wins governorship in violent Mexican state
|
India insists on access to BlackBerry emails
Sudan says accepts south secession vote: Vice President
|
Google dethrones Nokia with Android smartphone: study
Management Tip of the Day: Add structure to social media
Scandal-hit Berlusconi to present growth plan
|
New app to bring U.S. art to wider audience
Chirac to attend trial in March: wife
|
More news websites blocked in Iran
Elpida to buy all DRAMs made by Taiwan's Powerchip
Cyber raids 'threaten British, US stock markets'
Iran warns France over Louvre artefacts: report
LG plans European mobile swipe payment system in 2012
James Bond composer John Barry dies aged 77
Ceva sees strong 2011 demand for its mobile chips
Google dethrones Nokia with Android smartphone: study
LG plans European mobile swipe payment system in 2012
|
Toshiba faces $100 million gender bias lawsuit
|
Facebook shopping discount service reaches Europe
|
Baidu options suggest possible breakout after earnings
|
Mobile 'apps' to be $58 billion market: study
US-TECH Summary
LG plans European mobile swipe payment system in 2012
Facebook shopping discount service reaches Europe
Toshiba returns to black for December quarter
Ceva sees strong 2011 demand for its mobile chips
Super Bowl offers chance to party with stars -- for a price
|
David Arquette checks out of rehab
|
Google launches Twitter workaround for Egypt
Top dissident arrested at Moscow rally
Baidu upbeat on outlook, targets social search
Canada investigates mass sled dog slaughter
Afghan drug war to be won with crops, not jails: judge
BP says makes $4.9bln annual loss, first since 1992
Google launches Twitter workaround for Egypt
US golfer Woods finds old habits hard to shake
Photos released to protect endangered Amazonians
Egypt braces for mass protests as army holds back
Egyptians gather for mass march to oust Mubarak
|
Obama to meet with tech company CEOs on Tuesday
Storm threatens 100 million in US with snow, ice, cold
Egyptians seek million-strong march to oust Mubarak
Pakistan court blocks handing over of U.S. diplomat
|
Oil hits $101 a barrel as Egypt protests mount
Google unveils Web-free 'tweeting' in Egypt move
U.S. urges Egypt's Mubarak do more
IBM touts social skills on RIM's PlayBook
WTO delivers verdict on Airbus vs. Boeing
Rival Koreas agree to military talks February 8
|
Governments, firms evacuate citizens from Egypt
Egypt's last working Web provider goes offline
Taliban 'abduct 21 Afghan tribal elders'
Wi-LAN reports more deals, expects to avoid court
S.Korea's Lee urges North to seize 'good chance'
Google topples Nokia from smartphones top spot
Countries evacuate citizens as Egypt crisis worsens
Australia evacuates coastal cities in path of big cyclone
|
NZ extends special forces Afghan deployment
Toshiba faces $100 million gender bias lawsuit
Pakistan judge blocks any move to hand over US gunman
In Myanmar's gleaming new capital, uncertain promise
|
EU calls for orderly transition in Egypt
Haiti opens door for return of ex-president Aristide
|
South Korea's conciliatory Lee hints at summit with North
US-TECH Summary
Russian police arrest dozens at anti-government rallies
|
Brittany Murphy death house averts forced auction
Israel's Netanyahu fears Egypt could go way of Iran
Australia evacuates coastal cities in path of big cyclone
Google topples Nokia from smartphones top spot
Floodwaters sweep away Bolivian bus, killing 31
|
US envoy to China quits amid 2012 buzz
Residents, tourists flee as cyclone nears Australia
Ivorian rivals dig in after AU panel move
|
N. Korea dissent on rise: US study
Singapore grannies take up ballet to stay healthy
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Brittany Murphy death house averts forced auction
U.N. told North Korea has more secret atomic sites
CBS orders replacements for "Two and a Half Men"
Japan volcano erupts with big blast of ash, rocks
Which network boasts the worst two-hour block?
Terrific actors face off in "Gruesome" play
U.S. wants TV producer to face homicide charge in Mexico
Lawsuit indicates new Rolling Stones tour in works
Google launches Twitter workaround for Egypt
|
Wallace Shawn juggles acting jobs, play writing
NZ commodity prices hit record high in Jan
Director Peter Weir finds "Way Back" to big screen
Taiwan's central bank to closely watch prices
Obama to meet with tech company CEOs on Tuesday
|
S.Korea c.bank urges capital controls coordination
IBM touts social skills on RIM's PlayBook
|
Seoul shares rise as POSCO, insurers jump
Taiwan economic growth at 23-year high in 2010
Wi-LAN reports more deals, expects to avoid court
|
NZ 98-day T-bills yield 3.07pct at tender
Baidu upbeat on outlook, targets social search
|
S.Korea inflation jump boosts Feb rate rise chance
Seoul shares open up, POSCO gains
Baidu Q4 net profit nearly triples
Wage growth picks up in Q4, but jobs market soft
Eva Longoria and Tony Parker finalize divorce
|
CBS orders replacements for Two and a Half Men
|
U.S. wants TV producer to face homicide charge in Mexico
|
Which network boasts the worst two-hour block?
|
Brittany Murphy death house averts forced auction
|
Terrific actors face off in Gruesome play
|
Director Peter Weir finds Way Back to big screen
|
Wallace Shawn juggles acting jobs, play writing
|
Lawsuit indicates new Rolling Stones tour in works
|
Val Kilmer going Deep with Texas indie drama
|
Swiss block Duvalier millions under new law
Yeltsin was disappointed in Putin: ex-chief of staff
U2's The Edge in row over Malibu home plans
Jordan's king appoints new PM after protests
|
Synagogue, schools attacked in Tunisia, fear spreads
|
Next Irish government faces dire economy
|
Iraq war casualties rise in January
|
U.S. praises Kazakh leader for skipping referendum
|
Indian warship collision caught on camera
U.N. offers to help Haiti prosecute Duvalier crimes
|
India minister warns of 'stalemate' with Maoists
China Nobel laureate Liu 'denied prison visits'
Chinese hitchikes home to celebrate Spring Festival
What you believe, I don't
Happy New Year, it's on me
'Imlek': A family affair
Pakistani stocks end lower on economic concerns
China says web 'open' despite Egypt news curbs
Google touts game changer in online art viewing
|
Thai inflation edges higher
Infineon, ARM shine; see steady growth
|
Anger over 'accidental' death of Chinese activist
India's exports jump 36.4% in December
Egypt fears keep oil above $100, Asian shares gain
Mercedes relaunches premium Maybach in India
IMF says ready to help Egypt, others in trouble
Samsung offers full refund for Intel chip
Inflation fears as Asian manufacturing stays strong
S.Korea may cut tariffs, taxes to curb inflation
Lambert leads Academy of Country Music nominees
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights