"Friday Night Lights" To Be Canceled?

This week's episode of NBC's critically-acclaimed drama "Friday Night Lights" may be its swan song.

When asked about the fate of FNL at last week's "Lipstick Jungle" launch party, NBC's Programming Chief Ben Silverman ignored the question and instead touted the network's Thursday night comedy "30 Rock" as "the best show on TV."

When repeatedly pressed to address the future of the Texas-based drama, Silverman said: "I like it. You like it. But no one watches it. We'll see what we can do. Watch '30 Rock!"

Last spring, "Friday Night Lights" had been renewed for a second season by Silverman's predecessor Kevin Reilly, before he was let go. Reilly, a fan of the show, was responsible for its original development.

Following Reilly's departure, NBC had the producers make several creative choices (including the much-criticized Tyra-Landry murder storyline) in an attempt to improve the show's modest ratings.

The show has averaged 6.16 million viewers this season, almost on a par with last year's average of 6.20 million.

This year, however, the show airs on lower-rated Friday nights (last year it aired on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), so maintaining season 1 ratings on a night when fewer people watch TV is a modest accomplishment.

Also, on several occasions this year FNL tied for the first place in the timeslot among adults 18-49.

Ironically "30 Rock," the show that - unlike FNL - appears to have Silverman's support, has averaged a very similar 6.61 million viewers this season. The comedy however airs on much more competitive, and therefore more significant, Thursday nights.

Ben Silverman, 37, has caused quite a bit of controversy over the past 6 months, including personal attacks on ABC Prexy Stephen McPherson.

Silverman's programming strategy relies heavily on reality shows and acquisition of foreign formats. The exec who originally developed "Ugly Betty" for ABC, is now planning the US version of Aussie comedy "Kath & Kim," and a soap opera titled "Without Breasts There Is No Paradise."

Although NBC has yet to make a final decision on the future of "Friday Night Lights," there will be no additional episodes this season.

All 15 episodes of season 2 will be released on DVD in April.

Could fan support similar to last year's "Jericho" nut campaign save the endangered series from cancellation?

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"American Gladiators" to Replace "Chuck"

Following last night's Christmas-themed episode, NBC's "Chuck" is moving to Saturday nights where the network will air reruns of the show starting with the pilot episode this weekend. Meanwhile, a "Deal or No Deal" special, a limited run daily reality series "Clash of the Choirs" and a Hulk Hogan hosted program called "American Gladiators" will replace the show in its original timeslot.

"Clash of the Choirs" is described as "the next big live holiday event series that follows five celebrity singers back to their hometowns in search of the talent needed to assemble America's best choir."

The show will air four nights in a row, Monday to Thursday, going head-to-head with ABC's 4-day event "Duel" a "high-stakes tournament-style competition."

Both networks are hoping these shows can build momentum during the week before Christmas to grow into hits as did NBC's "Deal or No Deal" which also began its run with a 4-day event in December 2005.

In January, the network will premiere the "classic physical competition series with a big-arena attitude" called "American Gladiators" on Sunday, January 2 (2-hour episode, 9-11 p.m.) before moving it to Mondays at 8 p.m. the following day.

As for Saturday nights, the network will air "Chuck" at 8 p.m., followed by repeats of "30 Rock" at 9 p.m. and "Saturday Night Live" specials at 9:30 p.m. "The Best of Chris Farley" and "The Best of Will Ferrel" will air first.

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NBC Renews "30 Rock" For a Second Season

NBC has renewed its critically-acclaimed but low-rated Thursday night comedy "30 Rock" starring SNL vet Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin hoping it would grow as "The Office" has this past season.

The show is returning this Thursday following a short hiatus with a special supersized episode at 8:40 p.m.

"From the beginning, '30 Rock' has proven to be the kind of quality comedy that doesn't come around very often, and we are very pleased to have this show back for a second season," said NBC president Kevin Reilly.

"We expect it to continue to build its increasingly loyal audience and become another of NBC's classic comedy series."

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NBC Announces Super-Sized Comedy Night; "30 Rock" Returns Earlier

Attention quality comedy lovers - NBC has announced changes in its Thursday night line-up with the freshman sitcom "30 Rock" returning on a night of super-sized comedy, April 5.

Andy Richter's new comedy "thriller" Andy Barker, P.I. will end its run on April 12. The comedy premieres this Thursday and only 5 episodes will air.

"30 Rock" is moving to a new timeslot effective April 12 when it takes the place of "Scrubs" at 9pm. The show returns April 5 with an extended episode.

"Scrubs" will return on Thursday, April 19 in its new timeslot 9:30 pm (a double one-hour episode will air May 3.)

Finally, the line-up for super-sized night of comedy (April 5) looks as follows:

The Office (8:00-8:40)
30 Rock (8:40-9:15)
Scrubs (9:15-9:50)
Andy barker, P.I. (9:50-10:20)
My Name Is Earl/rerun (10:20-11:00)

Phew! Got all that?

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MUST YOU SEE NBC?

When NBC concluded the 10-year run of one of their greatest sitcom hits "Friends" in May of 2004 many had expected the Peacock network to struggle to maintain their dominant position in the ratings. What they did not know is how fast the No.1 would fall to the bottom.

Home to many of the greatest hits in the history of television (The Cosby Show, Miami Vice, Cheers, Hill Street Blues, ALF, L.A. Law, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Seinfeld, Will & Grace, ER, Frasier, The Apprentice, Law & Order), NBC coined the expression Must-See TV to promote their mega-successful line-up of Thursday night programming, the most lucrative platform in TV advertising.

In 2004, the network failed to find suitable replacement for their aging or ending hits, and by late 2005 not only had they fallen to the fourth place in the ratings, but their greatest hit had become the Howie Mandel hosted "Deal or No Deal" ridiculed by critics as "That Suitcase Game Show".

That may all change now as the network has received enormous critical praise and Internet buzz for their new line of shows. They all agree NBC has the strongest program development this season.

One year ago, the network was praised for putting critically-acclaimed sitcoms My Name Is Earl and The Office on the schedule, yet their results in the ratings have been mixed. Will the same happen this year or will riskier and more creative choices pay off?

The premiere dates of the new NBC series are as follows:

Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip - Monday, September 18 at 10/9c
Kidnapped - Wednesday, September 20 at 10/9c
Heroes - Monday, September 25 at 9/8c
Friday Night Lights (pictured above) - Tuesday, October 3 at 8/7c
30 Rock - Wednesday, October 11 at 8/7c
Twenty Good Years - Wednesday, October 11 at 8:30/7:30c