Networks’ Reality: Strike Prospect, Flak Over Fare

The impact of potential strikes later this year by writers and actors, as well as the endurance of the “Survivor”-driven invasion of so-called “reality” programming, dominated the discussion as the twice-annual gathering of TV critics and reporters got underway in Pasadena, featuring separate question-and-answer sessions with the Fox, WB, UPN and Pax broadcast networks.

Not surprisingly, Fox drew the harshest questioning from TV critics regarding its “reality” offerings, which include “Temptation Island,” a series that sent committed couples to an exotic locale to see whether attractive singles could lead them astray.

Already criticized by one religious leader for its concept, that program and others waiting in the wings--among them a Fox show titled “Love Cruise”--follow pronouncements that the network intended to distance itself from such fare in the wake of the public-relations nightmare yielded by its special “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?” in February.

Moreover, Fox didn’t devote any time to promoting reality series at the press showcase, despite the fact that “Temptation Island” premieres Wednesday. The networks usually take advantage of the critics forum to preview upcoming shows, fueling a perception that Fox officials had chosen to downplay their “reality” projects.

Fox Entertainment Group Chairman Sandy Grushow insisted there was no contradiction from his initial post-”Marry a Multi-Millionaire” remarks, saying that “Survivor” had “turned the prime-time network television landscape on its ear” and that Fox would be “negligent” to its stockholders not to explore similar territory in pursuit of hits.

“We work in a dynamic business. Things change,” Grushow said.

Fox acknowledged that “Temptation Island” contestants were tested for sexually transmitted diseases, but Grushow chose not to respond when asked if contestants were provided condoms.

How long the “reality” fad will last remains a subject of considerable speculation, especially since a handful of game shows introduced last year--inspired by the success of ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”--all quickly fizzled.

According to UPN Chief Executive Dean Valentine, younger viewers in particular are looking for alternatives to more conventional scripted comedy and drama series. “They’re finding it harder and harder to suspend disbelief in traditional story-form programming,” he said.

Valentine maintained that there is room for a regular dose of unscripted fare in prime time, noting that ABC, CBS and NBC must currently program 22 hours each week, and “not all of it is going to be filled with hit, quality shows” on the order of “The West Wing” or “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

Still, WB Chief Executive Jamie Kellner suggested the “reality” trend will follow the same pattern as any other programming genre.

“The good stuff will shine, and the bad stuff will drop to the bottom quickly. It’s like everything else,” he said.

WB Entertainment President Susanne Daniels conceded that the number of unscripted shows in production--featuring ordinary people as opposed to actors--has been stepped up as a hedge against the possible talent strikes this summer.

Toward that end, the WB (which is part-owned by the Tribune Co., owner of the Los Angeles Times) also said it has ordered 13 episodes each of four comedy series--a new show, “Dead Last,” and current sitcoms “The Steve Harvey Show,” “For Your Love” and “Baby Blues”--to be shot this spring, providing original programming next fall should a strike occur.

Kellner also stated that networks may opt to save episodes from this season that would have been broadcast in April or May to run in the fall if the prospect of strikes are perceived as unavoidable. That said, the executive added that he didn’t think a strike would happen, citing a stock market downturn and soft advertising climate that has financially weakened both writers and studios.

During their separate events, Fox and the WB also engaged in a contentious exchange regarding the future of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”--a hit WB show made by Fox’s production arm, 20th Century Fox Television.

The WB is negotiating to renew the series for another year, but Fox has intimated it could move the show to its own network if WB doesn’t offer a fair price. That prompted the WB’s Kellner to warn such a move would make it impossible for studios aligned with networks--such as the WB-Warner Bros. and ABC-Disney--to risk conducting business with each other.

“There’s a certain point where a bit of honor has to step in, and fair play,” Kellner said.

Grushow countered by pointing out that it was the WB’s sister studio, Warner Bros., which arm-twisted NBC into a huge $13-million-an-episode deal to renew “ER.” The executive said Fox would be happy to keep “Buffy” in its current home so long as the WB came up with a reasonable offer, adding, “I can tell you that up until this point that has not remotely been the case.”

Separately, Fox confirmed that actor Robert Downey Jr., who faces new drug-possession charges, has completed filming his arc of episodes on “Ally McBeal” without ruling out future appearances.

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Inside

* Chuck Norris has decided to end his CBS series, “Walker, Texas Ranger.” F12