Kommentary on Media 5

All:

I’ve noticed that situation comedies have made a slight recent resurgence in the schedules of the traditional broadcast networks, though not really in the ratings. NBC’s Thursday line-up is strong--with “Community,” “Parks & Recreation,” “The Office,” and “30 Rock”—but is too ensemble-mockumentary leaning. I’d prefer they bring back “Scrubs” from ABC, put it in place of “The Office,” and move that to Tuesday to anchor another night of solid comedy. Two nights of comedy per network are sufficient. I’ve caught a bit of ABC’s Wednesday night line-up, primarily to watch the new-format “Scrubs,” which I like—younger, hotter regulars, anchored by brilliantly wrecked Dr. Perry Cox (John McGinley). I also checked out “Modern Family,” which made me laugh, but somehow feels a bit derivative of “Arrested Development.” Not crazy about “The Middle” with Neil Flynn (great character actor who was The Janitor on the old-format “Scrubs”) and Patricia Heaton (Romano’s wife on “Everybody Loves Raymond”); feels like it’s trying to be a new-format “Malcolm in the Middle,” but just can’t match the manic/inventive brilliance of that great Fox sitcom of yore.

Jim