Hot Trailer: ‘Anchorman 2′ 
2ND UPDATE: Charlie Sheen Fired Selma Blair From … 
Time Warner Cable Sued For Passing Lakers-Dodgers Costs On … 
Jonah Hill Signs For Management With LBI 
TOLDJA! ‘Dumb And Dumber To’ Proves No-Brainer … 
Salma Hayek’s Animated Passion Project ‘The … 
Relativity Moves Scott Cooper’s ‘Out Of The … 
Hot Trailer: ‘The Lego Movie’ 
Comedy ‘I Didn’t Do It’ Gets Series Order … 
Liv Tyler To Co-Star In Damon Lindelof’s HBO Pilot … 
DreamWorks Animation Launches Effort To Re-Position Itself … 
‘Pacific Rim’ Sequel In Planning Stages, … 
Legendary “Down To Handful” Of Studio Suitors: … 
UPDATE: Dan Harmon Apologizes For Comments Slamming … 
Deadline Expands: Hires Washington Post Journalist Lisa De … 
MGM & BermanBraun Sign TV Production Deal, First-Look … 
EMMYS: ‘Big Bang Theory’s Science 
‘Client List’ Season 3 Pickup In Limbo Over … 
Amazon Orders Cop Drama Pilot Based On Michael … 
Lionsgate Acquires Pulitzer Prize Winner ‘Devil In … 
ABC Executive Quinn Taylor Moves To NBC To Head Longform … 
Damon Wayans Jr is heading to the Tuesday 9 PM slot after all. The actor starred in the pilot for Fox’s New Girl but had to pull out because his series in first position, ABC’s Happy Endings, was surprisingly renewed for a second season last May. Now he will face New Girl as ABC is slotting 
Happy Endings in the Thursday 9 PM slot this fall. ABC opening a 9-10 PM comedy block on Tuesday is surprising given the fact that the network last May said it would expand its new Last Man Standing-anchored Tuesday 8-9 PM comedy block to 10 PM in January with the younger-skewing Cougar Town and Don’t Trust The B—- in the 9 PM hour. But the network abandoned the idea, with ABC topper Paul Lee citing the strength of New Girl for the decision. Now the network is pitting Happy Endings and Don’t Trust The B— against New Girl and Mindy Kaling’s The Mindy Project.
Related: 2012-13 ABC Schedule: Comedy Block On Friday, ‘Revenge’ Gets ‘Housewives’ Slot
And if that’s not enough, NBC too is opening a single-camera comedy block from 9-10 PM on Tuesday with its highest-profile new comedies, the Matthew Perry starrer Go On and Ryan Murphy’s The New Normal. At its upfront presentation yesterday, the network said the block is one of its two big priorities for next fall, meaning the two comedies will get a big marketing push. Will any of the networks blink or we will witness one of the worst cases of comedies cannibalizing each other?
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
Loading ...
New Girl and Happy Endings definitely have the same type of audience, interesting who will winn.
New Girl and Happy Endings face rough waters against each other (with Go On as a non-starter) and then everyone flocks to New Normal as they abandon the overrated Bitch in 23 and (based on the preview) the trying-too-hard Mindy Project.
ABC could blink the easiest, flipping Nashville and the two comedies. Nashville sounds like something the Dancing fans would love.
NBC has to feel the most vulnerable, though, so if anyone moves they will.
Why is “Go On” a non-starter?
The only problem for ABC is that there’s no other obvious spot for its pair. I don’t see it dumping them on Fridays, for any number of reasons, nor do I see the upside in having them lead-off Thursdays. They don’t mesh well with anything on Wednesdays, and more importantly, why mess with what is working? They probably aren’t going to lead off Tuesdays, either, since the reason behind this move is to get them a stronger lead-in. How about Mondays? I don’t watch “Dancing,” so I don’t know what the show is like, but can it be pared back at all, perhaps to an hour each night?
I wonder if ABC flirted with putting the pair on Sundays. No regular sitcoms air there, and you could easily shift “Revenge” to 10:00, “666 Park Avenue” (which is the worst title of the season, I think) to Wednesdays, and as you suggested, “Nashville” to Tuesdays.
If any network blinks, it’s probably going to be NBC. It has a lot more to lose if “Go On” fails to gain traction, and considering the schedule holes it has, it could easily be put on Thursdays at either 8:00 or 9:00.
That would be odd, however, because as I said in another thread, I think it’s in the strongest position. “New Girl” is successful, but not nearly as successful as some think. It also has no (proven) lead-in, whereas the other networks all have strong to really strong lead-ins. (And while I think NBC and ABC might hurt each other a little here, they also might both be successful, along with “NCIS.”) Perhaps most importantly, only “Go On” is new, and while both “Happy Endings” and “New Girl” are successful to varying (and different) degrees, neither is a big, big hit, and neither has a big star like Matthew Perry, whose show could get a boost from the Olympics.
But then, if it moves “Go On,” what does it do with “The New Normal”?
I don’t get the production of all these single cam comedies this year. Outside of Modern Family and to a lesser degree The Ofice, have any had mass appeal? I enjoy Happy Endings, but it was lower rated than Rob. I expect a lot of quick cancellations next season in this over saturated market.
This is going to be a mess of epic proportions.
Sorry, ABC, but the terrible “Don’t Trust the B–” should’ve never been renewed for another season to begin with.
It’s like a very low-rated version of all those competing multi-cam blocks from the ’90s.
Add another reason to the many why “Go On” should have been multi-cam: not only is Matthew Perry not funny in single-cam, but he won’t even contrast with the other shows on the other networks. (I guess NBC is banking on the idea that GO ON is a guy show and will not overlap so much with NEW GIRL’s audience. It would overlap even less if it weren’t single-cam.)
I agree with you that this is a low-rate version of those awesome 90s battles.
Go On should’ve been a multi-cam as Perry is better in front of a studio audience. This is where NBC just doesn’t get it that there would’ve been more interest in this had it been a multi-cam.
Why didn’t NBC’s stupid ass pickup Downwardly Mobile, Daddy’s Girls, and Lady Friends?
Did you see all of those shows? I am curious why you think they were superior choices to what NBC picked up.
Matthew Perry has said that he doesn’t want to do Multi-Cams anymore. Doesn’t matter what you want, he doesn’t want to do them.
As to the article above, this is great news. I never used to watch anything on Tuesday nights because it was either all reality (NBC) or procedurals. Now there is some comedy at least.
Then the network should do a multi-cam with unknown actors. You know, like FRIENDS. Done right, it’ll do better than a single-cam with a star who has already proven (in MR. SUNSHINE) that the viewers don’t like him in single-camera.
Am I the only one who thought he came across well in the shorter clip (the one where Weight Watchers) is discussed and even better in the longer one, which showed sadder moments?
I thought he was pausing for a nonexistent studio audience, and his timing just seems random and unnatural without the audience reactions. He’s a fine actor, and does well in both comedy and drama. But he’s not an appealing comic actor without the audience.
I also thought that once i saw the full trailer, i think Go on looks like it has a great mix of comedy and heart, it pretty much became one of my most anticipated, also this show wouldnt of worked with the meotional moments nearly aswell in Multi-cam.
I don’t think anyone will blink, nbc and abc both need the lead ins from their reality shows. I think it might be smart of fox to switch their monday and tuesday schedule as it seems like Bones would benefit from being on Tuesdays and the fox comedies would be a nice alternative to the cbs comedies.
NBC should really have put these shows on Thursdays — if CBS doesn’t do a 2 hour block, it should move go on and the new normal to thursdays. NBC doing nothing on Thursdays is a joke.
But what were the trade-offs involved in focusing on Thursdays versus the rest of the schedule?
As others have noted, given the issues with the dramas at 10:00, it makes sense that “Rock Center” was put there. I could see the logic in making drastic changes to Thursdays, but what would the network do with its older comedies?
Someone tell me if I am wrong, but I suspect NBC had a very small budget to work with, as seen by the small(er) orders for a lot of its shows and the reliance on comedy over drama. If true, does it make more sense to make at least one night of the week work, where it might be less competitive, so it can put more resources (as in, money and what talent it brings) to repairing Thursdays in the future?
Again, I could be wrong, but that’s what I am guessing it’s doing. There’s nothing preventing NBC from putting, say, “Revolution” and “Go On” on Thursdays if they work. (Not that it should, of course.) But imagine if it put its strongest shows all on Thursdays, leaving little to anything else on the other nights. Even if it worked well, which there was no guarantee of, it’d still leave a lot of holes.
I kind of wish the network had ordered more shows, specifically dramas. If for some reason it was in the position where a lot was clicking and it was short on slots, they’d figure out a way to deal–after they were done cheering. But I guess this is where money issues factored in.
Um, why is NBC even mentioned?! The proposed Tuesday block for the peacock has zero chance to compete with heavy hitters ABC & FOX comedy blocks. Apologies to Matthew Perry & Ryan Murphy, but those shows are dead on arrival. Man, NBC sucks.
What heavy hitters? All of them don’t do that well in the ratings. New Girl is just a demo player and that’s it.
You’re right though NBC has zero chance with those losers.
Your ability to see into the future is amazing. Really, it’s just incredible.
While somewhat successful, nobody sane would describe any of those shows on ABC or CBS as heavy hitters.
(If the Networks were smart about this, they would have realized that NEW GIRL has the same audience as HAPPY ENDINGS, and vice versa.)
That being said, this isn’t the tragedy or car crash it would have been ten years ago, though Nets don’t realize it I’m sure: WE HAVE DVRS and INTERNET, Networks. Relax. If I watch NEW GIRL live, I can watch Happy Endings on the weekend. And I will. Then I’ll catch GO ON in the morning with breakfast. The following week. THIS IS HOW THINGS WORK NOW. It isn’t a major head-to-head rating competitions. People I know are just watching Mad Men season 1 on DVD. Someone I know is watching Modern Family for the first time via episodes on Time Warner’s ON DEMAND, for chrissakes. WELCOME TO THE NEW LANDSCAPE Networks! You should all collectively dump old man Nielsen and get in a room and figure out something new. No, wait, get in a room and don’t figure anything out. Just put on the shows you believe in and things will start working out.
Yes, thank you, EXACTLY that. Competitive scheduling is such an outdated discussion.
The networks need to focus on two things: Reliable online measurements and convincing advertisers that the 50+ audience is worth courting, because the current 50+ has more money than 18-34, and different viewing/purchasing habits than 50+ of 40 years ago.
They keep playing games like we’re all stuck in 1972. Well, they may be, but we’re not.
Such a smart comment. I agree with every single word. They need to realize we live in 21-st century. Times changed. They need to used to them, not us.
If competitive scheduling was outdated, you could premiere everything on Saturday and it wouldn’t matter. Day and date still matter.
Thanks for being the voice of reason, here, Stew.
NBC better move The Voice back to 9pm and FOX’s comedy block is a disaster waiting to happen.
How soon before LMS and Reba get the call to save ABC’s Tuesday hour at 9pm?
Like I said above, there’s no obvious spot for ABC’s comedies anywhere else on the schedule. Assuming they want a variety of comedies, this probably means sticking with what they have now on the night. Doing so gives “HE” and “Don’t…” a strong lead-in, but it also gives them the chance to reboot TGIF.
Looks like the first pickup of the year – GO ON – will also be the first cancellation.
Either Go On or Animal Practice are sure bets.
Is everyone forgetting that NBC is cashing on in the olympics and Go On and New Normal and starting in August, i think that gives it a far better chance of gaining an audience, also their both on NBC they’ll accept a far lower rating as positive, Also Mr Sunshines lowest on ABC was 1.6 which as that show was a little to weird obviously was mainly due to people liking Matthew perry, even if Go On drops that low it still would be in the same situation as most Nbc comedies that got a pick up this season. This also looks better than Mr Sunshine.
Also its Matthew Perry if their going to try and push any show its going to be the one with an actor from one of the biggest show theyve had. Nbc has kept alot of shows based on the stars in it.
I really can’t think of a dumber move than putting HAPPY ENDINGS against NEW GIRL, it would have been like HEROES and LOST airing against each other. The two are just going to cannabilize each other.
Only fitting that New Girl will end the inexplicable run of Happy Endings. Everything about New Girl is better, writing, directing and especially the cast
You have got to be kidding me. Is that why Damony Wayans Jr. left New Girl for Happy Endings? Is that why people were upset that he left New Girl for Happy Endings? lol Don’t worry becuase FOX will kill New Girl if they haven’t already with their genius scheduling
FYI – Damon Wayans didn’t choose to leave New Girl. He had a first position contract for Happy Endings. It wasn’t up to him.
Wayans Jr. had no choice – he was committed to Happy Endings if it was renewed, which it was. People were upset he left because his character was, in the pilot, interesting and funny. But neither of those things have to do with whether New Girl is a better show than HE or not – he was leaving as soon as it was picked up, period.
Uh, no. Damony didn’t leave New Girl, it was in second position. ABC wouldn’t let him leave Happy Endings and he wasn’t psyched about it. Doesn’t matter, the actor they replaced him with is funnier and doesn’t seem nearly as gay — nothing wrong with seeming gay unless you’re playing a straight guy. oddly enough, the only guy who doesn’t seem gay on Happy Endings is the gay character. neither show is great, but New Girl has much stronger writing and a much stronger cast. they’ll all probably go on to be movie stars while you’ll never hear from the Happy Endings cast again. no i kid, they’ll do other bad sitcoms.
I have to agree with Chris, New Girl is absolutely terrible. Was from the start. I could never figure how Zooey could be so likeable on film but be a total charisma void in New Girl who just seems to be trying so hard to be kooky and likeable.
The writing is part of the blame.
In the end, for me, the two together is no competition. Happy Endings has a much more likeable cast and can be a lot funnier to boot.
Um no. New Girl has a recognizable face but the writing and acting in Happy Endings is better. New Girl doesn’t seem to know what type of show it is. People will get irritated by the Zoey Deschanel schtick as well as the constant fighting with the Nick character, its tiresome. But I see Happy Endings as a mid- class 30 Rock, not the quality so much, but attracting that obscure audience.
I don’t like to see “Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23″ and “Happy Endings” dying on Tuesday. They are too god for such a TV death. Save them, TBS! Save them!
Im sorry… What exactly is “just a demo player”? In my estimation, that’s the only thing that matters. That, and now DVR numbers, in which New Girl is a monster. Explain your thinking.
Makes more sense to put Malibu country & last man standing to follow in the 9-10 following dancing results. Maybe that’s what they’re thinking with the late starts on Friday
Too many comedies across the board this year. It will be carnage.
ABC should swap Castle and Happy Endings/Apartment 23. Problem solved.
…actually, perhaps not. Forgot about the NCIS jugganaut on Tuesday.
Zoey has no charm on New Girl? Is that joke? I suppose you think Kasey Wilson is more charming? You are out of your mind. New Girl will make 100 episodes for sure, Happy Endings will be done after season 3.
I just started watching Happy Endings this year – I think it has overtaken “How I Met Your Mother” as the new “Friends”.