Typically when a network orders additional scripts for a series, it does so at the Writers Guild minimum, so it’s a very minimal investment compared to ordering additional episodes–thousands rather than millions of dollars. Keeping scripts in process allows for “continuous production” when and if the network decides to actually issue a back-order, which is good because otherwise the series may have to temporarily shut down while new scripts are generated, burning up money for no good reason. All of which is to say that ABC today ordered three additional scripts for THE NEIGHBORS, its so-far abysmal new Wednesday sitcom. Neighbors had a good start with Modern Family as its lead-in, then last week following The Middle it did considerably worse (1.9), nevertheless retaining a very strong 85% of its lead-in’s number. Basically, the script order keeps ABC’s options open, as it waits for some more numbers before deciding whether to commit to additional episodes… and who knows, maybe along the way creator Dan Fogelman and his writing staff will figure out how to make the series funny.
Related Posts
-
-
WEDNESDAY Ratings
Preliminary ratings are delayed by Nielsen until at least 9:30 am PT (90 minutes past due). The ratings service is performing extra “quality checks,” so be prepared for unusually high quality ratings later this morning!
-
-
-
About the Author
Mitch Salem
MITCH SALEM has worked on the business side of the entertainment industry for 20 years, as a senior business affairs executive and attorney for such companies as NBC, ABC, USA, Syfy, Bravo, and BermanBraun Productions, and before that, at the NY law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. During all that, he has more or less constantly been going to the movies and watching TV, and writing about both since the 1980s. His film reviews also currently appear on screened.com and the-burg.com. In addition, he is co-writer of an episode of the television series "Felicity."
More articles by
Mitch Salem »
