ABC Picks Up Lopez Show
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) -- One Wednesday night comedy has reason to cheer — while two Tuesday sitcoms may want to jeer — as ABC picked up a full season of “The George Lopez Show” and NBC played schedule roulette yet again with “Just Shoot Me” and “In-Laws.” Coming off its best performance yet this week (12.7 million viewers, 5.3 rating/14 share among adults 18-49), “George Lopez” has turned into a surprise hit for ABC. As a midseason entry last spring, “Lopez” aired just four episodes. Its showed promise, but history has shown that most extra-short midseason orders quickly collapse when they return the following fall (such as last season’s “What About Joan”). “Lopez” has escaped that trend, holding a solid 100% of the adults 18-49 audience from its lead-in, the Damon Wayans laffer “My Wife and Kids,” for two weeks straight. “The show is getting much stronger this year,” said “Lopez” executive producer Bruce Helford. “It’s not like we were really on the radar. The word of mouth from people watching has been great.” Helford also credited the decision to add a tinge of seriousness to this season’s episodes, as Lopez’s character searches for his long-lost father, for the success. “I really believe people enjoy seeing a show with some substance,” Helford said. “Sitcoms had gotten frivolous. There hasn’t been a show with substance for awhile in the sitcom world, which is why you’re seeing ‘Bernie Mac’ pop, and our show pop. Shows have got to be funny first and foremost, but I’m going back to my ‘Roseanne’ days to tackle some important stuff.” Fellow executive producer Sandra Bullock will make a return guest appearance to “Lopez” in November, while Helford said he has other stunt castings in the works. ABC’s “Lopez” decision was also welcome news given the disappointing ratings for Helford’s “Drew Carey Show” this season. Helford believes the show should recover somewhat once it moves to Fridays next month.
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) -- One Wednesday night comedy has reason to cheer — while two Tuesday sitcoms may want to jeer — as ABC picked up a full season of “The George Lopez Show” and NBC played schedule roulette yet again with “Just Shoot Me” and “In-Laws.” Coming off its best performance yet this week (12.7 million viewers, 5.3 rating/14 share among adults 18-49), “George Lopez” has turned into a surprise hit for ABC. As a midseason entry last spring, “Lopez” aired just four episodes. Its showed promise, but history has shown that most extra-short midseason orders quickly collapse when they return the following fall (such as last season’s “What About Joan”). “Lopez” has escaped that trend, holding a solid 100% of the adults 18-49 audience from its lead-in, the Damon Wayans laffer “My Wife and Kids,” for two weeks straight. “The show is getting much stronger this year,” said “Lopez” executive producer Bruce Helford. “It’s not like we were really on the radar. The word of mouth from people watching has been great.” Helford also credited the decision to add a tinge of seriousness to this season’s episodes, as Lopez’s character searches for his long-lost father, for the success. “I really believe people enjoy seeing a show with some substance,” Helford said. “Sitcoms had gotten frivolous. There hasn’t been a show with substance for awhile in the sitcom world, which is why you’re seeing ‘Bernie Mac’ pop, and our show pop. Shows have got to be funny first and foremost, but I’m going back to my ‘Roseanne’ days to tackle some important stuff.” Fellow executive producer Sandra Bullock will make a return guest appearance to “Lopez” in November, while Helford said he has other stunt castings in the works. ABC’s “Lopez” decision was also welcome news given the disappointing ratings for Helford’s “Drew Carey Show” this season. Helford believes the show should recover somewhat once it moves to Fridays next month.