We're getting down to the seeds and the stems of the broadcast season. Time to enter three ABC shows into The Book of Life. Here are the possible verdicts:
BUY THE DELI PLATTER AND PAY A SHIVA CALL (stick a fork in it, it's done)
WILL CELEBRATE THEIR B'NAI MITZVAH (will get to 13 on the air)
LET'S GO TO A BRIS (the order will be snipped)
SET A PLACE AT THE SEDER TABLE (should finish full the season)
SEE YOU AT NEXT YEAR'S KOL NIDRE SERVICE (there's a second season)
Pretty obvious that OF KINGS AND PROPHETS and THE FAMILY will be paid a shiva call real soon; THE REAL O'NEALS is a bit more problematic but I think we will see them at next year's Kol Nidre service.
There's not much to say about the two dramas other than why. Both shows were heavily promoted during this year's Academy Awards. One of the biggest bullshit lines in this business is that there big events serve as a promotional platform for launching new shows. It rarely is the case and when a new show "benefits" from the promotion, it usually premieres in a primo time period. Which brings me to THE REAL O'NEALS.
ABC gave the show a solid launch with a double pop on its stronger Wednesday night family comedy lineup before moving it behind FRESH OFF THE BOAT which is an outstanding comedy. With Daylight Savings Time upon us TRO settles into a mediocre performance but pretty much holds what it's given.
TRO is a classic ABC comedy with an obvious twist. What ABC seems to have figured out is that these comedies are all about the kids....make them smart and make them real....don't make them props. THE REAL O'NEALS is good not great in my opinion but, let's be real, this is going to be a tough one to cancel without giving it a chance to find a bigger audience. Would not be surprised to see it get a 13 episode order for the new season.
We're almost done with this year. A few more to come and then we will close The Book of Life for another year.
