NBC Becomes A Real Life Version Of THE PRODUCERS

In the classic Mel Brooks story, THE PRODUCERS, two scheming broadway producers oversell shares in a broadway play, and pick the worst possible play, playwrite, director and actors to insure that the play is a flop so they can clean up in their crooked scheme.

In the NBC version there is a similarity in that the network has decided to cancel some of the most effective Friday night programs such as THIRD WATCH, LAW AND ORDER:TRIAL BY JURY or even the acceptable MEDICAL INVESTIGATION to make room for a schedule of shlock such as the quickly cancelled, INCONCEIVABLE, which truly was, the syruppy, Amy Grant program, THREE WISHES, and now the worst yet, THE BOOK OF DANIEL. Along with moving the effective comedy MY NAME IS EARL up against the world's most popular program, CSI, so it can be savaged in the ratings, NBC has taken a cue from THE PRODUCERS on how to drive the network ratings into the trash barrel.

NBC managed to drive up ratings during a weak network programming week with the efective game show, DEAL OR NO DEAL with comic Howie Mandel, but ended this series after the week, and is now going with at least one new show, THE BOOK OF DANIEL, which seems to fail on so many levels.

THE BOOK OF DANIEL quickly reminds the viewer of a fifth rate version of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, with characters nearly as morally challenged as those on MY NAME IS EARL or the shirtless morons on COPS. But that isn't the worst part of this turkey. It's the absurd modern portrayal of Jesus in this program that is likely to enrage most Christians. After the events in West Virginia, in which the Governor and miner's families really inspired faith in God and a value to prayer, and world prayers are for MidEast peace, if not for Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, NBC decided that airing a program with an absurd Jesus portrayal was the right time. If anything, this really starts this program off on a wrong foot.

In THE PRODUCERS, the worst possible play, SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER was chosen to drive away audiences. At NBC, some network geniuses must have decided that THE BOOK OF DANIEL was a great way to create controversy, drive away viewers, create consumer boycotts from some religious groups, and to offend after a week in which prayer time with God was a central part of the lives of many due to the very nervous, sad and dangerous events.

Maybe at 12:35 in the morning, NBC can get away with programming such Conan O'Brien who often competes with infomercials with a low budget talk show that often features Abe Vigoda, Dr. Joyce Brothers or Al Roker as guests. But while Friday is often a ratings low evening, CBS proved that with effective programs such GHOST WHISPERER, CLOSE TO HOME and NUMBERS, if you offer worthwhile television fare, viewers will come. Instead, NBC has chosen to make both Friday and Saturday nights a real dumping ground. Friday's discards are the worst odd television shows that don't fit in on other nights. And Saturday is a potluck of the best repeats of some popular shows, but without a viewer often aware what's up for the evening. Both are ratings low drags on NBC.

Whether THE BOOK OF DANIEL draws an audience does not seem very likely to me. I can usually smell a clunker a mile away. MEDICAL INVESTIGATION, another recent Friday night NBC failure was like a weak CSI ripoff, but at least watchable. THE BOOK OF DANIEL just seems to have the kiss of doom written all over it.

A bad religious comedy like THE BOOK OF DANIEL is just enough to keep NBC locked in ratings hell.