jeffzwarren
@jeffzwarren.bsky.social
Writer, animator, and janitor at my own company. Header by Steve Burg. TV-13
In a way, it stinks you don't have a central *thing* where we could share the same experience. On the bright side, you could experiment on just about anything and have it be as long or as short as you want. Free from network suits (but not that crappy A.I. censoring)
November 13, 2025 at 4:16 AM
In a way, it stinks you don't have a central *thing* where we could share the same experience. On the bright side, you could experiment on just about anything and have it be as long or as short as you want. Free from network suits (but not that crappy A.I. censoring)
Which brings me back to syndication (cuz of Talkin' Simpsnz). Harlan Ellison interview from the late 70s/early 80s said networks had so many middlemen and censors. Syndication had only a few of them. Your shows could be aired, more or less, according to your vision.
youtu.be/W2oW77MnnI0
youtu.be/W2oW77MnnI0
Harlan Ellison On Tom Snyder's Tomorrow (Television Is Made For Morons)
YouTube video by Josh Hadley
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Which brings me back to syndication (cuz of Talkin' Simpsnz). Harlan Ellison interview from the late 70s/early 80s said networks had so many middlemen and censors. Syndication had only a few of them. Your shows could be aired, more or less, according to your vision.
youtu.be/W2oW77MnnI0
youtu.be/W2oW77MnnI0
He mentions popular shows and duds that came and went. Really interesting stuff (to me).
"Cursed" was one that always stuck out to me. The network quickly changed it from a man who was cursed to a regular sitcom.
"Cursed" was one that always stuck out to me. The network quickly changed it from a man who was cursed to a regular sitcom.
![My Name Is Earl, The Office, [Scrubs], 30Rock, and ER.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eupouec4hzdwdeyhjgs4gr3h/bafkreibhgmtc5rlrj2eossvx5wnhcgrmtglav5udto5rv2iwtgrphvzus4@jpeg)
November 13, 2025 at 4:03 AM
He mentions popular shows and duds that came and went. Really interesting stuff (to me).
"Cursed" was one that always stuck out to me. The network quickly changed it from a man who was cursed to a regular sitcom.
"Cursed" was one that always stuck out to me. The network quickly changed it from a man who was cursed to a regular sitcom.
Got 43 minutes? Channel Serfer talks about NBC's Must See TV block. Starting from the 80s thru the 90s until the 2010s. Pointing out cable, DVD, TiVo, and the internet changing viewing habits.
youtu.be/2_iJDXTVs9o
youtu.be/2_iJDXTVs9o
The Death of Must See TV
YouTube video by Channel Serfer
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Got 43 minutes? Channel Serfer talks about NBC's Must See TV block. Starting from the 80s thru the 90s until the 2010s. Pointing out cable, DVD, TiVo, and the internet changing viewing habits.
youtu.be/2_iJDXTVs9o
youtu.be/2_iJDXTVs9o
*Ranked at 90. Oops.
November 13, 2025 at 3:52 AM
*Ranked at 90. Oops.
I should point out Manimal was 90 out of 100 shows for that season. Almost at the very bottom.
It helps that you only had three networks. NBC, CBS, ABC. The Fox Network didn't start until 1986.
It helps that you only had three networks. NBC, CBS, ABC. The Fox Network didn't start until 1986.
November 13, 2025 at 3:52 AM
I should point out Manimal was 90 out of 100 shows for that season. Almost at the very bottom.
It helps that you only had three networks. NBC, CBS, ABC. The Fox Network didn't start until 1986.
It helps that you only had three networks. NBC, CBS, ABC. The Fox Network didn't start until 1986.
Neilson ratings for NBC's MANIMAL was 10.1. It was opposite to CBS' DALLAS which had 25.7 rating.
A modern equal would be like Inhumans vs Yellowstone? :P
A modern equal would be like Inhumans vs Yellowstone? :P
November 13, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Neilson ratings for NBC's MANIMAL was 10.1. It was opposite to CBS' DALLAS which had 25.7 rating.
A modern equal would be like Inhumans vs Yellowstone? :P
A modern equal would be like Inhumans vs Yellowstone? :P
Reposted by jeffzwarren
Bad sign of the times. 😵💫
November 13, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Bad sign of the times. 😵💫
Reposted by jeffzwarren
I’ll be honest, I thought both of these were from 2010s until I actually read your post
November 13, 2025 at 3:26 AM
I’ll be honest, I thought both of these were from 2010s until I actually read your post
It's almost impossible to imagine happening today!
November 13, 2025 at 3:31 AM
It's almost impossible to imagine happening today!
Reposted by jeffzwarren
that really does sound WILD by today's standards lol.
November 13, 2025 at 3:24 AM
that really does sound WILD by today's standards lol.
"We're Loud!" parody.
Legend has it that Fred Silverman (the head of NBC at the time) heard this and was royally pissed off.
youtu.be/N8id3o-BPbM
Legend has it that Fred Silverman (the head of NBC at the time) heard this and was royally pissed off.
youtu.be/N8id3o-BPbM
NBC Proud As a Peacock jingle parody
YouTube video by Jonathan Allen
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 3:30 AM
"We're Loud!" parody.
Legend has it that Fred Silverman (the head of NBC at the time) heard this and was royally pissed off.
youtu.be/N8id3o-BPbM
Legend has it that Fred Silverman (the head of NBC at the time) heard this and was royally pissed off.
youtu.be/N8id3o-BPbM
"We're Proud" ver.
youtu.be/QyJM_Dnd9Kw
youtu.be/QyJM_Dnd9Kw
NBC 1980 (Proud as a Peacock)
YouTube video by ApotheounSAK
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 3:28 AM
"We're Proud" ver.
youtu.be/QyJM_Dnd9Kw
youtu.be/QyJM_Dnd9Kw
Reposted by jeffzwarren
none of this seems terribly “must see”
November 13, 2025 at 3:18 AM
none of this seems terribly “must see”
"Huh??"
Rating. Percentage of ALL households with TVs that were tuned in.
Share. Percentage of TVs that were actually on that were tuned in.
18 rating, 14 share means the show was watched in 18% of all homes with TVs, and among TVs that were on, 14% were watching NBC.
Rating. Percentage of ALL households with TVs that were tuned in.
Share. Percentage of TVs that were actually on that were tuned in.
18 rating, 14 share means the show was watched in 18% of all homes with TVs, and among TVs that were on, 14% were watching NBC.
November 13, 2025 at 3:22 AM
"Huh??"
Rating. Percentage of ALL households with TVs that were tuned in.
Share. Percentage of TVs that were actually on that were tuned in.
18 rating, 14 share means the show was watched in 18% of all homes with TVs, and among TVs that were on, 14% were watching NBC.
Rating. Percentage of ALL households with TVs that were tuned in.
Share. Percentage of TVs that were actually on that were tuned in.
18 rating, 14 share means the show was watched in 18% of all homes with TVs, and among TVs that were on, 14% were watching NBC.
If you know the NBC "We're Loud" jingle, they point out they have an 18 rating/14 share. The comments and myself will tell you those are FANTASTIC numbers!
November 13, 2025 at 3:20 AM
If you know the NBC "We're Loud" jingle, they point out they have an 18 rating/14 share. The comments and myself will tell you those are FANTASTIC numbers!
20 Top Shows with ratings. "Watched Live." Ranging from 5.1 to 2.4
I'm guessing that's on the millions. 5.1 million to 2.4 million. Which may be good for today's broadcasters.
I'm guessing that's on the millions. 5.1 million to 2.4 million. Which may be good for today's broadcasters.
November 13, 2025 at 3:16 AM
20 Top Shows with ratings. "Watched Live." Ranging from 5.1 to 2.4
I'm guessing that's on the millions. 5.1 million to 2.4 million. Which may be good for today's broadcasters.
I'm guessing that's on the millions. 5.1 million to 2.4 million. Which may be good for today's broadcasters.