Grid Effect

Well, it’s official, Kevin Reilly, the entertainment president for NBC that brought us The Office, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights and a host of other critically heralded series, has been fired. This is just more and more evidence that my sensibilities aren’t in line with the average American/network executive.

Some suggest NBC’s dismal ratings can be attributed to their perceived liberal bias that at least half the country would resent, something that the entertainment president could hardly be held accountable for, but I tend to believe the problem runs deeper than that. I am convinced that at least FNL’s biggest hurdle was reassuring the mainstream (This is too vague a term, but I’m using it anyway) that the series was about more than a high school, football or high school football. But describing it as a exposition of contemporary small town America is hardly fan friendly. As far as perceived political affiliations are concerned, it probably doesn’t help matters that Alec Baldwin is the male lead in 30 Rock (which is something of a catch-22 since the series wouldn’t exist without him) and Aaron Sorkin’s follow up to The West Wing had more of a liberal slant than a feminist website. Just sayin’.

As far as the three comedies are concerned (He’s responsible for My Name is Earl as well), their paltry ratings could only be attributed to there stylization. Unlike most sitcoms, the characters aren’t funny in and of themselves. Generally, they’re unaware of how their actions might be interpreted as comedic. Michael Scott isn’t pulling one liners out of his ass to the bemusement of his employees, ninety percent of the time the comedy he provides is derived from his awkwardness, idiocy and misconceptions. Also, no laugh track seems to be a death wish for offbeat comedies (i.e. Arrested Development, at some point I need to get over that series’ premature cancellation), none of these three score top ten nielsens, if they all last a full additional season, I’d be surprised.

With that said, FNL has lost an integral fan upstairs, the series was essentially a Kevin Reilly charity case to earn a second season, His patience in hoping the series will appeal to the masses (beacuse there is no real reason it shouldn’t) is unlikely to be inherited by his predecessor. This is, by far, the first order of business for whoever earns his position: observe how FNL does on its Sunday night reruns over the summer, and the strength of those and the first few episodes of season two will determine its future. Needless to say, things look grim. HBO would have never renewed The Wire if Chris Albrecht decided to allegedly start beating his girlfriend three years ago instead of this month. But Albrecht has a certain affection for the series, so it was signed through five seasons.

Anyhow, despite his misfortune (and really, there is a ton of it), Reilly will be sorely missed on this website. Farewell, sir, best of luck in your future endeavors.

ETA: The former head of HBO is Chris Albrecht, not Mike Albrecht. Thanks to Lynn for pointing this out in the comments.