ABC relies on big-name movie stars, Regis's charisma to rake in millions
Katie Malmquist
Scene Writer
Tired of hearing Regis ask "Is that your final answer?" Apparently the executives at the American Broadcasting Company are not.
Originally adding an extra night of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" to their primetime line up (bringing the game show's appearance to four hour-long airings a week) and premiering only three new series, ABC opened this season confident that Regis and his flashy suits would carry them through the fall ratings.
Within the first month of the season, however, "Millionaire" suffered a significant drop in ratings, hinting that viewers are growing increasingly tired of the game show phenomenon. So does ABC have any life lines left in its fall line up? A recap of the network's latest attractions and returning favorites should save you the call to a friend to find out.
Surprisingly, ABC's most interesting hook this season is its influx of stars making the leap from the silver screen to the TV screen. Two of these brave faces appear in brand new series — Gabriel Byrne ("The Usual Suspects") in "Madigan Men" and Geena Davis in the not-so-creatively titled "The Geena Davis Show."
Byrne stars as the father in an inter-generational trio of grandfather, father, and son. "Madigan Men" follows the trials of the three Irish men as they venture through three very different dating worlds.
The comedy, airing Friday at 9:30 p.m., was not ABC's best received premiere. Premiering in Nielsen's 63rd slot and slipping ever since, "Madigan Men" shows little promise of reviving ABC's declining TGIF series which has continued to lose viewers since last season's cancellation of teen favorites "Boy Meets World" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."
"The Geena Davis Show" seems to have a better chance of surviving its first season. The show chronicles Davis' comedic escapades as a single New York woman adjusting to life in the suburbs with her new husband and step-children.
"The Geena Davis Show" premiered at 14 in the Nielsen ratings — the highest of all major network premieres this season. Though it has since slipped out of the Nielsen top 30, "The Geena Davis Show" is definitely ABC's strongest addition to the fall line-up.
In ABC's third premiere of the season, Academy Award nominee Paul Attansaio ("Donnie Brasco") makes his television debut in "Gideon's Crossing." The hour-long drama centered in a Boston teaching hospital has not shaken the position of NBC's "ER" as the top medical drama on the air waves. However, its premiere in Nielsen's 19th spot set it above ABC's last newcomer, "The Trouble with Normal," which was cancelled after only three episodes.
Also making his television debut on ABC this fall is actor Charlie Sheen, who replaced Michael J. Fox on the half-hour sitcom "Spin City." After Fox's emotional last episode in the spring season finale, the actor has remained with the project, working behind the scenes as executive producer of the show.
Though Sheen was generally well received by the show's loyal viewers, "Spin City" has promised various cameo appearances by Fox throughout the season.
Many of ABC's returning series also look strong, especially David E. Kelley's "The Practice," which has held steady in the eighth and ninth ratings positions all season. Sela Ward and Billy Campbell return for a second season of "Once and Again," which opened to rave reviews last fall, but has since dropped out of the Nielsen top 30.
"The Drew Carey Show" is back for its fifth hilarious season and Norm MacDonald returns for his second year of "Norm". Sitcoms like "Two Guys and a Girl" and "Dharma & Greg" also continue to draw viewers.
Ultimately, ABC's biggest blow this season is the temporary hiatus of "NYPD Blue," whose 19 Emmy Awards have brought strong ratings for the past seven seasons.
While ABC promises that the hour-long police drama will return this January for its eighth season, it's clear that the network's overall ratings have felt its absence since the new season opened.
This fall, network executives and viewers alike are left wondering if "Millionaire" will be able to pick up the slack.
With ABC's fresh faces, new series and old favorites, Regis should have some help, but tuning in is the only way to be sure.
All Scene Stories for Wednesday, November 15, 2000
