I just had a thought.

Maybe by 2009, the 4th hour of "Today" will be such a flop that NBC will have no other choice than to beef up its daytime lineup with daytime dramas?

Unlikely, but possible.

I just had a thought.

Maybe by 2009, the 4th hour of "Today" will be such a flop that NBC will have no other choice than to beef up its daytime lineup with daytime dramas?

Unlikely, but possible.

Or, perhaps the 4th hour will be so successful that by 2009 they will decide to add a 5th hour.

Sounds unlikely, but who ever thought we would have 4 hours of the "Today" show each weekday?

Or, perhaps the 4th hour will be so successful that by 2009 they will decide to add a 5th hour.

Sounds unlikely, but who ever thought we would have 4 hours of the "Today" show each weekday?

I'll go with Kenny's theory.

The fourth hour will flop SO bad it will ruin the careers of anyone who appears on it in the host positions.

Yes, THAT bad.

They'll be a laughingstock of the industry.

From: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/arts/tel....html?ref=media

NBC President Says Ratings Are Gaining Momentum

By BILL CARTER

Published: January 18, 2007

PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 17 - Even in the face of what he acknowledged will likely be another tsunami of ratings from Fox's “American Idol,” which again set a viewership record on Tuesday night, Kevin Reilly, the president of NBC Entertainment, said here on Wednesday that his network had established significant momentum this season and had regained its status as the network of what he called “quality programs.”

Mr. Reilly pointed to a number of successes for NBC, including growth in shows like “The Office,” the comedy that has turned into a hit for NBC after being on the ratings critical list. “If you stick with quality, it pays off,” Mr. Reilly asserted.

It may be paying off for Mr. Reilly personally. After weathering rumors that his job was threatened, Mr. Reilly has seen his position solidified by the addition of this season's biggest new hit, “Heroes,” as well as several other series that he said have “picked up buzz,” if not yet ratings.

In that category he mentioned the comedy “30 Rock” and the drama “Friday Night Lights.” He called those shows “too good to not leave them on.” Mr. Reilly all but committed to bringing “30 Rock” back next season, saying, “I'd be surprised if that went until May” before the network announced it would renew the comedy.

Alluding obliquely to his own situation, he said, “There has been a lot of conjecture and instability,” but now, he said, confidence has returned to the network's program department. “Shockingly, weirdly, it's become fun again,” he said.

NBC managed to finish the first half of the television season tied in some areas with CBS and ABC for ratings leadership. But National Football League games on Sunday nights are gone from NBC, and “Idol” is back, so those standings will not last much longer.

Still, Mr. Reilly said, “We're one show away from really moving the momentum in the other direction.”

The next batch of potential shows from NBC will include far more closed-ended dramas, he said, with fewer serialized shows, many of which failed this season. He also said NBC's comedies “will continue to be bold.”

One bold move that NBC may be the first to try is moving a show from the Internet to broadcast-network television. NBC ordered scripts based on a pilot called “Nobody's Watching,” which gained wide exposure after playing on YouTube. Mr. Reilly said the show might have a chance to leap from the Web to the network next season.

One Web-based experiment that the network is sure to try, perhaps as soon as this spring, is putting a batch of the network's pilots online: even as they are being screened by NBC executives. “Let that audience weigh in,” Mr. Reilly said. Among other subjects Mr. Reilly discussed was a new plan for the comedy “Scrubs,” which had been thought to be in its last season. It has scored impressively for NBC on Thursday nights, and now the network is seriously considering bringing it back again next season, Mr. Reilly said.

One deepening area of concern for NBC is its daytime lineup of soaps. One series, “Passions,” has already been canceled, and Mr. Reilly pointedly declined to commit to NBC’s most venerable soap, “Days of Our Lives,” beyond its current contract, which runs out in 2009. The soap opera genre has become “very, very tough for us financially,” Mr. Reilly said.

Surprisingly, he said, one of NBC's pillars of profitability, late night, is also under some “economic pinch,” even though the network continues to dominate there with Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien. He reconfirmed NBC's plan to replace Mr. Leno on “The Tonight Show” with Mr. O'Brien in 2009, even though he acknowledged that Mr. Leno could decide to create a show on another network.

“Jay's been a company guy and a team player for a long time,” Mr. Reilly said, adding, “I hope we can figure out the right arrangement” to keep him at NBC.

The network has an offer on the table for Mr. Leno with ideas for shows in both prime time and late night, Mr. Reilly said. But he conceded that the decision about where Mr. Leno will wind up after he leaves “Tonight” will “go right to the end” of his current deal.

----------------

From: http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/ne...presstour_x.htm

.........In other NBC news:

•Daytime soap Passions has been canceled after an eight-year run to make room for a fourth hour of Today, which will air on all network affiliates, though only about half will initially air all of Today in a continuous block, says NBC Universal Television president Jeff Zucker. The worsening economics of daytime soaps led NBC to choose expanding Today. Passions will likely finish its run in August, but NBC is discussing continuing the soap on a cable network (such as SoapNet) or online. Zucker suggested that NBC's only other soap, Days of Our Lives, is unlikely to continue past 2009.

-----------------

From: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20008896,00.html

Television News

Love Without the 'Passions'

At the Television Critics Association tour, NBC President Kevin Reilly says the Peacock is canceling its zany soap, but bringing the love just the same.

Keep your shirts on — NBC canceled Passions

Photo Credit: Passions: Chris HastonBy Tim Stack

Take a seat, Justin Timberlake. NBC President Kevin Reilly thinks he brought sexy back to NBC. Well, maybe not sexy but at least a little more affection. ''I do believe we brought love back to the network,'' Reilly said, referring to his new crop of fan favorites like Heroes and The Office. He then donned a silk robe and invited everyone to join him later in the hotel's Jacuzzi.

Kidding.

Reilly did, however, offer some good news for fans of My Name Is Earl, The Office, Heroes, and Law & Order: SVU: All four were picked up for the 2007-2008 TV season. When asked if he knew where rookie hit Heroes was headed for the rest of the season, Reilly revealed that he was privy to creator Tim Kring's plans. ''I have seen where it's going and it's going to be mind-blowing,'' said Reilly. ''They're going to stick the landing on this one.''

A Lack of Passion

Despite bringing love back, it appears there won't be any more Passions at NBC. The network announced that the zany soap (Anyone remember Timmy, the evil doll played by a little person? I used to feel a kinship to him.) will finish out its run this summer. Reilly stressed that it was costs that had to do with the soap's end but also alluded that it may have a future life in some kind of online component.

Game On

Reilly also announced that the Penn Jillette-hosted Identity would return in March along with a new show called Thank God You're Here. The series, hosted by David Alan Grier, is a improv comedy competition and solidifies the network as the main employer of reasonably sad, middle-aged comedians. Yakov Smirnoff, you might want to send over a head shot.

Combover Controversey

Donald Trump showed up to plug the newest season of The Apprentice. The press immediately pounced upon Trump with the question on everyone's minds: Did he have any involvement in the design of his Bobblehead doll? Yes, people, that was an actual question. Feel my pain. Feel it. The Trumpster also did talk about Rosie O'Donnell and the word ''disgusting'' was bandied about.

Heroes Will Rise (and Fall)

Tim Kring and the cast of Heroes caused a packed house at the Ritz Carlton ballroom, a sure sign of their hit status. Kring wouldn't divulge much about the future of the show, save to say that some of these heroes would be killed off. ''This is why we race to get the next script,'' said costar Greg Grunberg. But one hero wasn't too worried about biting the bullet. ''I die all the time,'' said indestructible cheerleader Hayden Panetierre. ''I feel like Kenny on South Park!''

I hate Mr. Reilly AND Mr. Zucker.

I know that soaps are not what they once were, but you know they still have to make money for the networks. While it may not be as much money as they'd like, I'm sure they still make them money.

I know that soaps are not what they once were, but you know they still have to make money for the networks. While it may not be as much money as they'd like, I'm sure they still make them money.

I agree, Scotty. Otherwise, ALL of them would be canceled.

Frankly, I don't by the "economics" excuses. Like you said, the soaps ARE making money. Maybe not what they brought in during the '80s, but still.

Anyway, about that EW article:

"espite bringing love back, it appears there won't be any more Passions at NBC. The network announced that the zany soap (Anyone remember Timmy, the evil doll played by a little pers"

WHEN IN GOD'S NAME WILL THEY GET IT?!!

Timmy WAS NOT EVIL, YOU IDIOTS!

Timmy was GOOD.

So the writer of the article seems to suggest he/she watched the show, yet they didn't GET THAT?!!!

Oy!

And HOW many articles about the show's cancellation have we seen comments about an Internet soap? I think they're REALLY serious about this. I mean, in the age of successes from YouTube and viral video, it may not be as silly or cheap as it sounds. A LOT of people watch viral video and surf the Internet. I don't know exactly how I feel about the show migrating to the Internet, I just hope that ALL storylines for the current "Passions" are resolved by the NBC finale.

I have to agree about your Timmy comments. From what little I watched of the show then, Timmy wasn't evil.

And it certainly would be odd to see a daytime soap go from a broadcast network to the internet. But stranger things have happened.

And I too hope they wrap up many of the current storylines...and not just simply leave viewers hanging on all of them. They need to have some sort of finale.

Wouldn't it be a switch if soaps went premium..? If they are going to be slowly taking them off television, they might as well create a place on cable for them to be viewed.

I'll go with Kenny's theory.

The fourth hour will flop SO bad it will ruin the careers of anyone who appears on it in the host positions.

Yes, THAT bad.

They'll be a laughingstock of the industry.

That still wouldn't mean they'd turn (back) to soaps though would it?

I just had a thought.

Maybe by 2009, the 4th hour of "Today" will be such a flop that NBC will have no other choice than to beef up its daytime lineup with daytime dramas?

Unlikely, but possible.

Quite frankly I think it's likely it'll flop. Who honestly needs a talk show-esque "Today" branded show? For reals, yo.

On the one hand, I think it's good that they admit Days won't last far in advance- so we can all get closure. Alternatively, it gives them a way to gauge reaction and try to stimulate viewers so they can boost ratings and keep it around.

On the other, if this leads the actors to leave for greener pastures, I'ma be pissed. Days has hit a groove that it hasn't had in a long, long time, and I don't want them to take it away now.

Seriously NBC- pimp the actors! Pimp Alison Sweeney some more. Push the show and it can rebound- any of the soaps could, I think, with a little effort. Air an episode or a recap episode on your dead night, Saturdays, to get extra mileage out of the footage you have and try and pull in more people. But don't just give up on it!

And HOW many articles about the show's cancellation have we seen comments about an Internet soap? I think they're REALLY serious about this. I mean, in the age of successes from YouTube and viral video, it may not be as silly or cheap as it sounds. A LOT of people watch viral video and surf the Internet. I don't know exactly how I feel about the show migrating to the Internet, I just hope that ALL storylines for the current "Passions" are resolved by the NBC finale.

If the show does end up broadcast on the internet, I hope it fails miserably.

I know that sounds horrible, but there's a reason for it. If Passions is a success on the internet or on cable somewhere, the other networks will take notice and think, "Hey, NBC canned their soaps and stuck 'em on the internet. Maybe we should do the same!" And quite frankly, I'm not interested in watching my soaps over the [!@#$%^&*] internet everyday.

...however, I DO like the idea of Days ending up on cable. That way, it could be balls-to-the-wall HOT without any network censorship. I could, at long last, see Peter Reckell's delicious BARE MAN ASS.

Well if NBC had just incorporated the Naked Fridays on NBC idea I pitched years ago we would have man-ass and wouldn't be in this predicament...

Edited January 21, 200718 yr by px780

If the show does end up broadcast on the internet, I hope it fails miserably.

I know that sounds horrible, but there's a reason for it. If Passions is a success on the internet or on cable somewhere, the other networks will take notice and think, "Hey, NBC canned their soaps and stuck 'em on the internet. Maybe we should do the same!" And quite frankly, I'm not interested in watching my soaps over the [!@#$%^&*] internet everyday.

The thing I hate about the Internet option is, even if it's in high quality, you more thank likely couldn't KEEP the episodes, and I think it's safe to say that A LOT of soap fans have their favorite episodes that they like to keep on VHS, DVD or whatever. If a DVD isn't being sold, it's ONLY fair! So, that would suck. That's why I'd MUCH prefer The CW or some other network buying the soap.