NBC has announced a shift in schedule. Starting November 30th, Thursday nights will look like this

8:00 My Name Is Earl
8:30 The Office
9:00 Scrubs
9:30 30 Rock
10:00 E.R.

Do you recognize it, people? It’s actual Must-See TV! Four sitcoms and a drama! The sitcom, my chosen art form… not dead as everyone decried? Howie Mandell’s shaved head no where in sight? Donald Trump placing his products elsewhere?

I, for one, greet this decision with open arms. Happy childhood memories flood back to me… The Cosby Show followed by Family Ties, then Cheers, then Night Court. That was a Thursday night a fifth grader could look forward to. It’s interesting to note that this new schedule is four one-camera shows, while my childhood dream line-up was four three-cameras, but more interesting is the fact that for the first time in years, NBC is offering a single night of four (potentially) very high quality shows.

My Name Is Earl marries a fantastic premise with very strong style, allowing for character comedy. The Office, thanks to the brilliance of its simple, original storytelling device, allows itself some amazing freshness in its comedy. In season two they managed to transcend their fantastic British roots at times. (Yeah, that’s right… I’m trying to start a fight…) NBC has moved Scrubs all over tarnation, and programmed at the mid-season for two years now. As a writer with a pretty kick-ass Scrubs spec in his drawer, you can bet I’m happy to see that show land in the Seinfeld slot. Here’s hoping the spotlight will help the creative forces behind the show can restore it to the wit and heart of its second and third season. As for 30 Rock, well, it hasn’t much made me laugh so far, but I can’t help thinking it SHOULD make me laugh. It has all the right ingredients. Alec Baldwin is fantastic, and Tina Fey will figure things out. She’s a smart lady. (Tina, call me.) Thursday night is fertile soil, and these four shows all possess amazing potential.

The entertainment industry is all about ebb and flow, with players rushing to copy the successful. If NBC gains any ground with this line-up, you can bet we’ll finally see a spike in sales of sitcoms. Can the new line-up compete with the puerile Ugly Betty and the faltering (at least in story, but otherwise still hot) Grey’s Anatomy? How much damage can CBS breakout hit Shark do? Is the American public sick of Survivor yet? I won’t even bother pondering if CSI: Miami is a contender, because we know it is. Sigh. And, meanwhile, FOX is threatening that they may even throw the big boy, American Idol, onto Thursdays.

I guess it is up to us, the viewers. As a sitcom writer wannabe, I implore you to do your part. Please. Watch Scrubs. TiVo Grey’s.

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