BUBBLE SHOW THAT DESERVES BETTER SCHEDULING
Shilo: I’m not sure if deserve is the right word, but I’m curious how Timeless would do in an earlier slot. Just judging from the promos and what I’ve read about the show, it feels like something that could be a good match for the affiliate audience and one of NBC’s more family-friendly dramas. The only problem with that is that the only 8:00 slots that NBC might have open next season are Wednesdays, which will likely go to a Chicago show or another hour of comedies, and Fridays, which other shows on the network might have advance claim on. I will say, though, that I’m supportive of networks doing out of slot repeats to see if any underperforming shows pop elsewhere on the schedule, so if NBC were to give Timeless a Friday repeat or something, that would be okay with me.
Craig: I’d be curious how Timeless would do on Friday, as I mentioned before, but I don’t know if that’s necessarily “better” scheduling. Blindspot also deserves better, but again, I have no conception as to where because so much of the NBC schedule is so packed.
MOST LIKELY MIDSEASON HIT
Shilo: Chicago Justice feels like the biggest guarantee, but I’m not completely sold on it. Legal shows tend to skew very old and this is the fourth direct entry into the Chicago franchise, so there’s bound to be fatigue at some point, especially since there are now five interconnected shows to keep track of, counting SVU. However, it’s scheduled fairly well, in that it has a solid lead-in in Little Big Shots and is different enough from the rest of its direct drama competition that I could see it withstanding the onslaught. Plus, NBC has so much invested in the Chicago franchise that they’ll do just about anything to get this renewed (and into syndication), so the bigger problem with Chicago Justice might be where you put it next year vs. how it does this season.
Craig: I’m not sure when Law & Order: True Crime will premiere, but I’m very curious about it, especially in the wake of the success of The People v. O.J. Simpson last summer. Spin-offs Chicago Justice and The Blacklist: Redemption will get some sampling, but with the Blacklist mothership not doing so well in the ratings as it used to do, I wonder if this new edition will take. I’m just going to be unoriginal and say Chicago Justice might be the one to do decently, just because of that franchise familiarity, though I think there is such thing as too much of a good thing.
MOST LIKELY MIDSEASON MISS
Shilo: Of the new shows that are scheduled and haven’t premiered, I’m least confident in Great News. It might have a strong lead-in in The Voice, but shows that premiere in April have a more uphill battle, we’ve not seen how scheduling a comedy with itself after The Voice helps or hinders a show, and every other new midseason show is either connected to a franchise (The Blacklist: Redemption, Chicago Justice, Taken) or has an unusual enough concept that could lead to sampling (Trial & Error, Powerless). At least on the surface, Great News is right in NBC’s wheelhouse as an irreverent workplace comedy from Tina Fey, but I could definitely see The Voice‘s audience not taking the bait and the show’s concept not being loud enough to make up for the lack of lead-in support.
Craig: I love my DC Comics, but Powerless is a tough sell, as it’s just… odd. I think sometimes that in order to be successful, half-hours have to be broad (see: almost anything on CBS), and this seems like a niche that’s even more obscure than Community. Being on Thursday nights will not help. They might get a decently-sized launch but beyond that, I don’t think I can make any promises. Vanessa Hudgens is really good, though.
