There’ll be a little less "Raines" at NBC this spring. Peacock has opted to halt production on the Jeff Goldblum midseason drama, capping the number of episodes produced at seven. Net had ordered 13 episodes of the show, but ultimately decided it only needed a half-dozen segs beyond the pilot. "Raines" will still get a primetime shot, however. NBC is sticking by plans to air the seven produced episodes on Friday nights, starting in March. The "Raines" cutback marks the second time in recent weeks NBC has reduced an episode order for a midseason skein. Net previously cut back its commitment to laffer "The Singles Table," capping it at six segs. "Raines" stars Goldblum as an LA cop who imagines he’s interacting with dead people in order to solve crimes. Skein is from NBC Universal Television Studio.
I guess there are only so many shows we can have with people talking to the dead. I wasn’t planning on watching because I am not into Jeff Goldblum, were you?
You wouldn’t think that NBC could afford to lose a hit show right now, but that’s what may happen. Sources tell me that NBC is playing hardball with stars Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni, not wanting to pay them big increases if they stay for a ninth season next fall. “It’s not Dick Wolf,” my source says of the notoriously capricious producer. Wolf is infamous for constantly replacing and substituting actors on the original “Law & Order.” But so far the cast has remained stable for “SVU” since it launched eight years ago. NBC, however, according to insiders, doesn’t seem to care whether the show returns or not. “They’re acting like they want Chris and Mariska out of there,” says my source. Negotiations, which have gone on this week, are said to have been brutal. One thing NBC probably didn’t count on was Emmy nominations for both stars and a win last year for Hargitay. The awards and kudos have come toward the end of the series’ run and are considered surprising for a “cop” show. The awards attention, coupled with consistently high ratings, would ordinarily give actors leverage with the network. But with cost cutting and layoffs going on, NBC is said to feel that they don’t mind losing the show or starting over with new, less expensive actors. The ratings for ‘Law & Order SVU’ are what make this news all the more perplexing. The show wins its Tuesday night time slot easily every week, with an average 9.4 rating and a 16 share. Ironically, the ratings have only gone up as the fall season has plodded along, making “SVU” one of the lone shining lights in the otherwise dimmed NBC firmament. Either way, Meloni and Hargitay would leave “SVU” well off financially but even better off career wise. They are each a hot property and would likely be snapped up rival networks to star in their own series immediately. Stay tuned…
I think NBC would be making a huge mistake if they didn’t pay up! This show gets the ratings and Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni deserve the raise. And I am saying all this and I don’t watch the show!
NBC is developing a one-hour reality pilot called "Comedy Colosseum," where comedians will vie for a $10,000 prize in an arena setting. Each comedian will be judged solely on the laughter of randomly selected and unsuspecting members of the crowd. Hosted by "Saturday Night Live" alumnus Dean Edwards and British comedian Olivia Lee, "Comedy Colosseum" is based on the hit Japanese show "Theiromonea."
For those of you who do not watch Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Aaron Sorkin did a storyline about displaced musicians from New Orleans who were filling in for staffed musicians so they could send some Christmas gifts home to their families. When they ended the show with the New Orleans band playing O Holy Night, I swear I had a tear come to my eye. It was a really touching moment! I am not sure if you can get that from the clip above, but at least you can enjoy the music and get into the Holiday spirit!!!
BTW the trombone player really is from New Orleans and you check out Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews’ site here.
Masi Oka’s bid for world domination continues… Heroes breakout time-traveller will play himself in an episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Per my spies, Masi — who shoots his scenes tomorrow — will pull a Lauren Graham and host Studio’s show-within-a show.
You wouldn’t think that NBC could afford to lose a hit show right now, but that’s what may happen. Sources tell me that NBC is playing hardball with stars Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni, not wanting to pay them big increases if they stay for a ninth season next fall. “It’s not Dick Wolf,” my source says of the notoriously capricious producer. Wolf is infamous for constantly replacing and substituting actors on the original “Law & Order.” But so far the cast has remained stable for “SVU” since it launched eight years ago. NBC, however, according to insiders, doesn’t seem to care whether the show returns or not. “They’re acting like they want Chris and Mariska out of there,” says my source. Negotiations, which have gone on this week, are said to have been brutal. One thing NBC probably didn’t count on was Emmy nominations for both stars and a win last year for Hargitay. The awards and kudos have come toward the end of the series’ run and are considered surprising for a “cop” show. The awards attention, coupled with consistently high ratings, would ordinarily give actors leverage with the network. But with cost cutting and layoffs going on, NBC is said to feel that they don’t mind losing the show or starting over with new, less expensive actors. The ratings for ‘Law & Order SVU’ are what make this news all the more perplexing. The show wins its Tuesday night time slot easily every week, with an average 9.4 rating and a 16 share. Ironically, the ratings have only gone up as the fall season has plodded along, making “SVU” one of the lone shining lights in the otherwise dimmed NBC firmament. Either way, Meloni and Hargitay would leave “SVU” well off financially but even better off career wise. They are each a hot property and would likely be snapped up rival networks to star in their own series immediately. Stay tuned…
