Repeat Offenders: Consequences of Emmy Love Affairs

Ah, spring–when a TV watcher’s heart turns to Emmy consideration. Ballots come out on Monday, and since there’s nothing the Baconeers love so much as a good list (you may have noticed), said ballots whet our appetite. As much as we are sometimes frustrated with the Emmys–and oh, how frustrated we get–last year’s had some surprisingly great moments. Remember the murderous comfort food cookoff judge from the greatest Pushing Daisies episode ever? Eric Stonestreet has an Emmy now. How neat is that?  While we might gripe about who was excluded from nominations–wherefore art thou, Community and Friday Night Lights?–Modern Family and Mad Men were deserving winners. Huh. Maybe that adorable Jimmy Fallon-Glee opening just put everything in a more flattering light.

Bryan Cranston gives me pause, though. I love Cranston–I thought he was robbed of an Emmy for his Hal on Malcolm in the Middle, and his performance on Breaking Bad is a genuine tour de force. It’s certainly hard, then, to argue that he shouldn’t have won. At the same time, this was Cranston’s third win in a row, while nominees like Hugh Laurie–who, believe it or not, has never won for House–continue to languish unrewarded. While I’m not ready to ask Cranston to remove himself from contention this year (Breaking Bad‘s broadcast schedule takes care of that), it got me to wondering about how often the Emmys get “stuck” on one winner, and what repercussions that might have beyond the winner.

We looked back at the last 20 years, examining in particular three things: first, the percentage of repeat winners (winning in consecutive years for the same role or show), such as the Cranston example above. Second, we looked at the percentage of multiple winners (winning in non-consecutive years for the same role/show)–two lauded performances trading off wins across several years might block notable others from winning just as much as one repeat victor might. Third, we looked at who the other nominees were during years with repeat or multiple winners. Who is potentially being blocked from an Emmy when the Academy becomes obsessed with a single winner? If, for example, Frasier‘s multiple wins came at the expense of The Nanny, maybe that’s not a problem–maybe it’s justice.

Drama Series: 40% repeat winners; a whopping 75% multiple winners

While Mad Men has won the last three trophies, the most notable repeat winner in this category in the past 20 years was The West Wing. The show usually cited as a close second-place–or robbed, depending on your perspective–was The Sopranos…which won the Best Drama Emmy twice, so maybe things turned out just fine. In the past 13 years, however, only 6 series have won (The Practice, The West Wing, The Sopranos, Lost, 24, and Mad Men). Notable nominees during that time who never won? Six Feet Under, Deadwood, House, Grey’s Anatomy, Boston Legal, Damages, Breaking Bad, and Dexter. While I like some of those shows very much, and while I would have preferred to see some of them win in their nominated year(s) (hi, Deadwood), the repeat winners do look pretty strong.

Maybe the problem is in the nomination process: notable shows that couldn’t break the repeat stranglehold because they were never nominated include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Wire, Battlestar Galactica, Veronica Mars, and Friday Night Lights, among others. If repeat winners had to skip a year or took themselves out of contention, would genre spoilers sneak into contention?

Comedy Series: 30% repeats and 60% multiple winners

Two non-consecutive wins each for Murphy Brown and Everybody Loves Raymond (Except Me), but four consecutive wins for 30 Rock and five for Frasier (Modern Family‘s win certainly raises the question of whether Christopher Lloyd has the submission process dialed in). Frankly, I personally have more trouble with some poorly chosen one-time winners than these repeaters (Ally McBeal? Really?), but notable nominees who lost to repeaters include Scrubs and The Larry Sanders Show. On the other hand, I can’t feel that bad about Two and a Half Men.

Still, perhaps the problem is–again–in the nominating process, since Frasier and 30 Rock tended to beat the same competition over and over: Pushing Daisies, Gilmore Girls, and, perhaps most notably, The Simpsons were boxed out entirely during these repeat winner years.

Are repeat winners a problem, or just rewards for a job well done? Should the Academy attempt to spread the wealth more? What series do you think were most unfairly denied the gold by repeat winners?

Friday: But you were talking about Bryan Cranston and Hugh Laurie. Does the tendency toward repeat winners hurt individual actors more than series?

SCRUBS Begins Second Life Tonight with ABC Premiere

Scrubs makes its ABC debut tonight for its eighth and possibly last season. And with the new season comes a new guest star (Courtney Cox, appearing for a multi-episode arc) and a whole new set of interns.

Why introduce new characters in what’s supposedly the comedy’s swan song year? Apparently, in case the series goes on for a ninth season. Creator Bill Lawrence (who’s currently working on a sitcom pilot for ABC titled Cougar Town) and star Zach Braff have both said they’re leaving after this season and the series/season finale is already in the bag. But if Scrubs performs well for ABC (which is desperately lacking in the comedy department), the network could renew the series, with or without Lawrence and Braff.

According to The New York Times, Lawrence is fine with that. If it keeps his cast and crew employed, he’s not Grinchy enough to object. For his own part, Braff says he might even be willing to continue recording the voice-overs that provide the framework for each episode.

Of course, that’s all dependent on the series pulling in good numbers for ABC–something it was never quite able to do on NBC. Scrubs has always been something of an acquired taste, what with its goofy dream sequences, recurring (some might even call them repetitive) jokes, broad slapstick, and a tone that sometimes borders on the schmaltzy (all of which is why we love it, of course). And being the only half-hour comedy on ABC’s schedule probably won’t help the envelope-pushing show find an audience.

So for now, I’m just going to sit back and enjoy these 18 episodes as the gift they are–the closure I never thought I’d get for this beloved underdog series.

SCRUBS Gets an ABC Premiere Date

I’m afraid Mikaela was mistaken in her last post because I’m pretty sure there’s still one show she’ll be tuning into ABC for even after the PIemaker has baked his last pie–Scrubs.

Remember Scrubs? That quirky little comedy that was ill-treated by NBC for years before being granted a reprieve by ABC. Well while they were canceling all our favorite shows this week, ABC was also making room on their schedule for Scrubs. See, sometimes things do magically reappear.

The new season is slated to premiere on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 9 p.m. EST. Even better, ABC will be running an hour of back-to-back episodes for the first two weeks. Then Scrubs will settle in as a single half hour, followed, presumably, by another comedy. The network hasn’t announced which show will run complete the hour, but one possibility is the new Mike Judge animated comedy The Goode Family. In which case there may actually be two whole shows worth watching on ABC in the spring.

THE WIRE, SCRUBS Honored as Humanitas Finalists

The Humanitas Prize has announced this year’s finalists, which included episodes from Boston Legal, John Adams and The Wire in the 60-minute television category and The Bill Engvall Show (that sound you hear is me scratching my head), In Treatment and Scrubs in the 30-minute category.

The Humanitas honors film and TV writing that “explores the human condition in a way which affirms the dignity of the human person and reveals common humanity.” The complete list of finalists is behind the cut.

Bacon Bits: VERONICA MARS Movie, Emmys, and More

- EW’s Michael Ausiello says Rob Thomas and Kristen Bell are talking about a Veronica Mars movie. Don’t dust off that Neptune Pirates letter jacket just yet, though. Between the two pilots already on Thomas’ plate and the chances of any studio greelighting a feature film version of a TV show that averaged only 2.5 million viewers, we’re more likely to get a Serenity sequel than to see this baby get off the ground.

- The Emmys want you to help choose TV’s most memorable moments. Watch clips and vote online at emmys.abc.com until Sept. 15. Just don’t ask me why the M*A*S*H where Henry dies is part of the “comedy” category.

- Can’t figure out what all the 90210 fuss is about? SoapNet will be airing a 24-hour marathon of the original Beverly Hills, 90210 on Sept. 1st to ring in the premiere of the CW’s spinoff the following night.

- The Bad News: Sci Fi Channel has canceled Stargate Atlantis (the series will finish out its fifth and final season in January). The Good News: the network has greenlit a two-hour movie based on the series.

- Scott Foley and Elizabeth Banks will each be returning to Scrubs this season, for one- and two-episode guest spots, respectively.

Bacon Bits: DOCTOR WHO, THE OFFICE, and more

- For once, Americans will get the full-length, unedited version of the Doctor Who finale on the Sci Fi Channel. The networks says they’ll air the 65-minute final episode as a 90-minute special in August.

- The Office summer webisodes return starting tomorrow! This year featuring Kevin, Oscar, and Darryl! And Heroes webisodes start Monday, but I don’t care as much about those.

- A new season of Project Runway starts next Wednesday, so where’s all the hype?

- Check out Advertising Age‘s mock up of a fake 1960 issue featuring Mad Men‘s Sterling Cooper. And here’s the scoop on season two, which starts July 27.

- Michael J. Fox is in talks for guest spots on Rescue Me and Scrubs.

- According to a Nielsen report, the average American is actually spending more time watching TV than ever before.

NBC Says Goodbye to SCRUBS… Without Saying Anything at All

Next Thursday NBC airs its last-ever episode of Scrubs, but don’t expect a grand farewell with lots of fanfare (or closure). After seven mostly-excellent seasons, the under appreciated comedy is going out with little more than a whimper.

And yet… the cast and crew have been back in production for weeks. Why, you might ask, is a studio producing episodes of a costly veteran comedy without anyone saying boo about who those episodes are for? Good question.

It’s one of the worst-kept secrets in Hollywood right now that ABC has ordered 18 additional episodes of Scrubs for airing next season. The network is expected to make the announcement at its upfront presentation later this month, but until then they’re apparently keeping mum.

Some of that silence may have to do with NBC, which got its feathers ruffled a while back when word leaked that the series was jumping networks. Of course, the series is jumping networks, NBC just doesn’t want you to know that until its tied up its run. Which leaves the network in the rather awkward position of farewelling a series that’s skipping over to a competitor. And, in a fashion typical of the way NBC has treated Scrubs over the years, it’s handling the situation by doing nothing at all.

Ironically, since its post-strike return, Scrubs‘ numbers are up 17% compared to last year, thanks in part to its cushy post-Office timeslot. And because of that, of course, tonight NBC has shifted Scrubs out of that slot and into the earlier post-Earl position (awarding the post-Office slot to 30 Rock, which will be back on NBC next season).

Sarah Chalke Signed for MOTHER Return

Forget Britney. Seriously, forget her. What we really want to know is whether Scrubs‘ Sarah Chalke will be reprising her guest starring role as Stella on How I Met Your Mother. And more importantly, is Stella the eponymous mother we’ve been waiting so long to meet?

According to TV Guide‘s Michael Ausiello, the answer is yes and probably. Er, maybe. Hopefully?

Chalke’s return is definitely good news for the CBS comedy, which has been on a ratings upswing lately (in part due to that other guest star we wish everyone would shut up about). The chemistry between Stella and Ted was crackling, and the March 24th episode proved she integrates easily with the rest of the ensemble.

This season HIMYM has finally given us a few meager clues about the umbrella-wielding mother, some of which seem to point to Stella. And after last night’s episode it looks like we won’t have worry about what will become of poor Robin once the love of Ted’s life shows up. (And lo, did the exaltations of the BroTPers ring out across the world! Hallelujah!)

What’s more of a mystery is what all this might mean for Scrubs, which is presumed be jumping to ABC next season. Let’s hope Chalke will be able to juggle both shows.

Thursday Night’s Alright (For Laughing)

All is right with the world once more. That’s right, after five long months of deprivation, we’ve finally got our Thursday nights back again. I’m referring, of course, to NBC’s comedy lineup–My Name Is Earl, 30 Rock, The Office and Scrubs–which is back tonight with all new episodes for the first time since the writers strike torpedoed the season.

It’s a rare convergence of television programming that brings four comedies of this caliber together in one block. Not since the Golden Age of Must See TV–dominated by the Holy Quartet of The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers and Night Court–have we had this much reason to look forward to Thursday nights.

First up tonight, Earl picks up where last week’s episode left off, with Randy taking over a comatose Earl’s list. Okay, Earl’s imaginary sitcom within a sitcom may be further evidence that the show’s gone a bit off the rails this season. But I’m willing to grant some leeway to any storyline that gives Ethan Suplee’s Randy a chance to step into the spotlight.

On 30 Rock, a throwaway line from earlier in the season becomes the focus of a whole episode, as Jack tries to figure out which TGS staffer has been badmouthing his reality hit MILF Island. Best Week Ever‘s Rob Huebel guest stars as the host of the fake show, described as “25 super-hot moms, 50 eighth-grade boys, no rules.” Look for it on NBC’s summer reality schedule.

The Office finally returns from hiatus with Michael and Jan hosting a dinner party that’s sure to be as appalling as it is hilarious.

And on Scrubs, Turk learns Spanish to celebrate his and Carla’s anniversay, Dr. Cox plays games with Kelso’s breakfast, and J.D. will probably have a daydream or two. Enjoy it while you can, because NBC won’t be bringing back Scrubs, and there are only a few pre-strike episodes left to air on the network before it presumably makes the jump to ABC.

ABC and NBC Squabble Over SCRUBS

NBC execs were reportedly irked yesterday when The Hollywood Reporter claimed that Scrubs was moving to rival ABC.

“NBC has a license agreement with ABC Studios, which includes a right of first negotiation and first refusal to extend the series term beyond this season,” said NBC Entertainment/Universal Media Studios co-chair Marc Graboff. “We’re living under the terms of this license agreement, and we expect ABC Studios to do the same.”

The fate of the show has been hanging in the balance since the writers strike ended. Scrubs produced 12 episodes before the strike; seven have already aired, and five more are in the can. But this was meant to be Scrubs‘ final season, and fans have been wondering whether NBC would bring the show back for a proper send-off. NBC has reportedly floated several scenarios to producers, including ordering one final episode or producing the remaining episodes direct to DVD. But before committing to a big series finale, NBC would want assurances that Scrubs won’t come back for another season on ABC.

ABC president of entertainment Steve McPherson developed Scrubs during his tenure at the studio (back when when it was called Touchstone Television) and he has been vocal about his intent to pick up the comedy if NBC drops it. In fact, ABC Studios and NBC have rarely seen eye-to-eye on Scrubs, and the studio has complained in the past that the series never got its due from NBC, which repeatedly shifted the modestly-rated show around its schedule–a whopping 17 times between Tuesday and Thursday (and once, on Wednesday) slots during its seven seasons on the air, according to Variety. For the past two seasons, NBC has waited until the eleventh hour to pick it up.

Seems like an awful lot of trouble over a show that’s widely accepted to be on its last legs. All the fans are really asking for at this point is a chance to say goodbye and a respectful send-off. Is that too much to ask?