Commentary

Reality Ingredients Don't Stir the Pot

Tasting a reality programming recipe gone wrong, Fox offered some change to its main course. But no harm here -- the business press hasn't taken a bite so far.

Take one part "Who's Your Daddy?" a dash of "Trading Spouses," sprinkle in "Nanny 911," and a dollop of "Next Great Champ," and you get a very big 'I told you so' from TV critics - who might be found ordering takeout at yesterday's mid-season TV Critics Association press tour in Los Angeles.

Speaking at the press tour yesterday, Fox Entertainment President Gail Berman cited some missteps, offered no prepared remarks, and jumped into a Q&A ready for the worst. But it didn't turn out so bad, said one Fox executive, analyzing the press' reaction during the session.

Berman admitted Fox perhaps went a little reality-crazy, and now looks to get more balance adding more scripted fare on the schedule.

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Her intent is also to keep the Fox long-term strategy - announced last May -- of year-round debuts of new shows, perhaps focusing on fewer shows in the summer period rather than the quintet of shows the network tried to launch last time.

The press may have gone pretty easy on Fox because the network works like clockwork in the fall. Everyone knows what's coming in October and November for Fox -- the good, the bad, and some more bad.

In October, Major League Baseball does its usual good numbers -- but that's all Fox gets out of it. Fox can't launch shows off baseball, and that leaves the network needing to vamp until January to get "American Idol" and now "24" up and running. One exception may be "House," as it has some early signs of staying power.

Fox may have to give up its outrageous billing when it comes to controversy - especially when the FCC fines Fox affiliates to the tune of $1.2 million for a poorly-rated reality show, "Married by America."

In response, Berman is now far more careful, such as blurring the image of a baby's bare bottom on a recent "Family Guy" episode - though the same episode ran uncensored four years ago.

All the more reason Fox should head back to the drawing and real scripted writing boards.

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