ABC takes a big poop on The Practice
01-10-03, 11:44 AM
#1
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ABC takes a big poop on The Practice
While I agree that Kelley has let this show veer too far from reality in latter seasons, I still love the characters, and find most of the ethical dillemas compelling. Considering the state of ABC, you'd think they'd show some respect to one of their few winning dramas--it nearly always wins its timeslot...
Instead, they're trying to muscle it out of the way and find an excuse to cancel... Dumping it into a loser time slot, and demanding a price-cut to renew it at all...
Instead, they're trying to muscle it out of the way and find an excuse to cancel... Dumping it into a loser time slot, and demanding a price-cut to renew it at all...
ABC's "Practice" Pay Cut
Thu Jan 9,12:45 PM ET By Lia Haberman
The Practice doesn't make perfect on ABC.
The Alphabet network is looking to slash the price they pay for the legal drama if programming execs decide to renew the series for next season.
A renewal deal negotiated a couple of years ago between the penny-pinching net and creator David E. Kelley set the series price tag at just over $6 million--still less than the whopping $13 million per-episode fee NBC pays for ER. But now, with ABC struggling in the Nielsens, network suits want to renegotiate the Emmy-winning series' license fee.
Network execs don't think the show's current ratings deserve the big bucks they'd have to lay out to bring the series back for a sixth season, despite the fact that The Practice is one of the few ABC shows to consistently place first in its time slot.
The Practice has averaged 11.8 million viewers this season and ranks at number 31, according to Nielsen Media Research. The legal wranglings of the Boston-based law office, led by Dylan McDermott (news) as senior attorney Bobby Donnell, attracted 12.9 million viewers last season.
ABC's hardball play is the latest affront to TV's resident golden boy. Last month, ABC execs announced they would move The Practice from its proven Sunday night time slot to Monday night to make way for a midseason entry. Dragnet, starring TV vet Ed O'Neill (news), launches February 2.
Industry insiders say the switcheroo is all part of a ploy to cut The Practice's hefty price tag, since the show could lose viewers in its new slot, thus giving ABC more ammo at the bargaining table. The new night means the Bean Town attorneys will go up against perennial favorite Everybody Loves Raymond (news - Y! TV) on CBS and the season's new reality hit Joe Millionaire on Fox.
If ABC and show producer 20th Century Fox can't agree on the right price, Kelley and Fox have the option to shop The Practice elsewhere.
Calls to Kelley's production office Thursday were not returned. However, his company did release a statement last week saying it was none too pleased with its treatment. "We are very concerned about this move," the Kelley camp said. "We are hoping that ABC will do everything in its power to support the show, which has garnered critical acclaim since its inception and has continually won its time slot."
Thu Jan 9,12:45 PM ET By Lia Haberman
The Practice doesn't make perfect on ABC.
The Alphabet network is looking to slash the price they pay for the legal drama if programming execs decide to renew the series for next season.
A renewal deal negotiated a couple of years ago between the penny-pinching net and creator David E. Kelley set the series price tag at just over $6 million--still less than the whopping $13 million per-episode fee NBC pays for ER. But now, with ABC struggling in the Nielsens, network suits want to renegotiate the Emmy-winning series' license fee.
Network execs don't think the show's current ratings deserve the big bucks they'd have to lay out to bring the series back for a sixth season, despite the fact that The Practice is one of the few ABC shows to consistently place first in its time slot.
The Practice has averaged 11.8 million viewers this season and ranks at number 31, according to Nielsen Media Research. The legal wranglings of the Boston-based law office, led by Dylan McDermott (news) as senior attorney Bobby Donnell, attracted 12.9 million viewers last season.
ABC's hardball play is the latest affront to TV's resident golden boy. Last month, ABC execs announced they would move The Practice from its proven Sunday night time slot to Monday night to make way for a midseason entry. Dragnet, starring TV vet Ed O'Neill (news), launches February 2.
Industry insiders say the switcheroo is all part of a ploy to cut The Practice's hefty price tag, since the show could lose viewers in its new slot, thus giving ABC more ammo at the bargaining table. The new night means the Bean Town attorneys will go up against perennial favorite Everybody Loves Raymond (news - Y! TV) on CBS and the season's new reality hit Joe Millionaire on Fox.
If ABC and show producer 20th Century Fox can't agree on the right price, Kelley and Fox have the option to shop The Practice elsewhere.
Calls to Kelley's production office Thursday were not returned. However, his company did release a statement last week saying it was none too pleased with its treatment. "We are very concerned about this move," the Kelley camp said. "We are hoping that ABC will do everything in its power to support the show, which has garnered critical acclaim since its inception and has continually won its time slot."
01-10-03, 12:33 PM
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Network execs don't think the show's current ratings deserve the big bucks they'd have to lay out to bring the series back for a sixth season, despite the fact that The Practice is one of the few ABC shows to consistently place first in its time slot.
01-10-03, 01:01 PM
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I'd actually welcome the cancellation of this show. I can't count how many times my girlfriend and I have looked at each other while watching The Practice and said "This show sucks. Why haven't we cut this out of our schedule yet?" We only continue to watch due to some misplaced "loyalty" to the show after watching it since the first episode.
At least it would free up an hour on my ReplayTV.
At least it would free up an hour on my ReplayTV.
01-10-03, 01:39 PM
#9
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Originally posted by Darq
I'd actually welcome the cancellation of this show. I can't count how many times my girlfriend and I have looked at each other while watching The Practice and said "This show sucks. Why haven't we cut this out of our schedule yet?" We only continue to watch due to some misplaced "loyalty" to the show after watching it since the first episode.
At least it would free up an hour on my ReplayTV.
I'd actually welcome the cancellation of this show. I can't count how many times my girlfriend and I have looked at each other while watching The Practice and said "This show sucks. Why haven't we cut this out of our schedule yet?" We only continue to watch due to some misplaced "loyalty" to the show after watching it since the first episode.
At least it would free up an hour on my ReplayTV.
I'd drop this in a heartbeat, but my wife still likes it... so I'm "stuck" watching it every week.
01-10-03, 02:03 PM
#10
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Hey, I still enjoy it!
Of course, I'm just slowly catching up with the old seasons... we've only been watching for the last couple. It helps that it and alias were on the same block (though that's over now).
This seems really underhanded on the part of ABC, if indeed they moved the show in order to give them leverage. What's to stop the Practice from moving networks? You'd think that ABC would be starved for programming... I'm really surprised at the rate of turnover on their shows. Sunday is really the only time I watch ABC that I can think of...
Of course, I'm just slowly catching up with the old seasons... we've only been watching for the last couple. It helps that it and alias were on the same block (though that's over now).
This seems really underhanded on the part of ABC, if indeed they moved the show in order to give them leverage. What's to stop the Practice from moving networks? You'd think that ABC would be starved for programming... I'm really surprised at the rate of turnover on their shows. Sunday is really the only time I watch ABC that I can think of...
01-11-03, 09:12 PM
#13
DVD Talk Hero
I enjoy the show. Would also like the move to Monday. Sunday I watch a little football, but then spend the rest of the day getting ready for the week. I often miss the show since it's on Sundays. Would watch it more!
