In the AfterMASH or Frasier dichotomy, Joey is proving to be a combination of the two: a single character from a strong ensemble show moves west to poor ratings and flops around for a couple seasons before being put out of its misery.
Not that Joey is dead yet, but it's being pushed off the schedule in the new year so My Name is Earl and The Office can move over to Thursday and re-establish NBC's two hour comedy block (along with Will & Grace and a new show called Four Kings that sounds like the bastard child of Friends and Sex in the City). After the Olympics, Joey is slated to return - but not to Thursday. So ends the Friends legacy on that night.
Were I to guess where Joey will end up, the most obvious spot is Tuesday at 9:30, after Scrubs. I don't see those two as particularly complimentary, and wonder how many of either show's fan base would tune in to the other one.
I suppose it could return to Thursday if Four Kings is DOA, but it'd have to be well and truly dead. NBC's shown some patience with sitcoms, and if they've been willing to give Joey and The Office a second season, I figure they'll at least give Four Kings half of one. The other option, of course, is an accelerated burn off in an hour-long slot to open up some time during May sweeps (just hope it's not for more fare like The Posideon Adventure).
In any case, it's not looking good. David Schwimmer better get in his guest appearance now.
1 comment:
How dare you trash The Poiseidon Adventure... Where else could you see Steve Guttenberg flailing about as a thoroughly emasculated hubby. The movie missed the clear opening for him to assert himself and make the final sacrifice. Bastards. At least Peter Weller got to check out early by getting shot in the back.
Chris
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