NBC’s pilot season was a very interesting one, as two of its dramas and multiple comedies were designed for midseason berths which were undetermined last Spring. They remained undetermined in September, and even into the later months of 2006. The first of these shows, The Black Donnellys premiered to middling returns a few weeks ago, and the second and third ones debut in 30 Rock’s and ER’s respective timeslots this evening to, most likely, similarly low numbers: comedy ‘Andy Barker: P.I.’ and ‘Raines’.
The problem with Raines isn’t its execution, which due to Jeff Goldblum’s performance is actually kind of interesting, but entirely due to its concept. The idea of talking to the spirits of his victims isn’t the worst concept…except that it’s pretty much almost exactly the same concept as Medium, which also happens to be on NBC. Sure, there are some differences between the two concepts (Goldblum’s aren’t actually those people, but representations of those people in hallucinatory form), but in the end they boil down to the same basic principles.
However, Raines can’t even best Medium in this category. While I am not a huge fan of the show, Medium is successful because it provides a family dynamic which grounds the show’s protagonist. It’s a show about her, not about crime and murder, and it makes it all work. Raines, despite its premise, feels like just another crime procedural. There’s a bit of an over-arching mystery to things, but it’s so tenuous that one can’t help but grow bored with the show’s pilot. There’s some good acting from Goldblum, an interesting concept…but it’s all a bit dreary.
For those looking for something more light-hearted in the detective arena, look no further than ‘Andy Barker: P.I.’, which debuts in 30 Rock’s timeslot. While I haven’t seen the pilot, or gone out of my way to get around NBC’s “No Canadians allowed” policy to their online streaming of episodes, word has been fairly positive about this single-camera comedy. Andy Richter is good for a laugh, Tony Hale (Buster on Arrested Development) is dependable, and despite the terrible commercials I believe the show has some potential.
However, the most interesting thing about this is that these shows have little to no potential of achieving success. After its Thursday debut, Raines’ timeslot will be in the dead zone of Friday Evenings. Plus, it only has 7 episodes, and it will need to be a breakout hit to be renewed. The problem is…it’s almost impossible to be a breakout hit on Fridays. There just isn’t the ability for a show to succeed to the level it needs to on Friday Nights, and there’s no doubt that Raines will suffer because of it.
Andy Barker has a better chance of succeeding if its ratings stay steady with that of 30 Rock’s, and if NBC decides to get rid of Scrubs. The Office also had a short 6 episode first season run, but NBC stuck with it and found ratings and creative success. Apparently Andy Barker grows similarly over its 6 episode run, so NBC might decide to try out an Earl/Office/30 Rock/Andy Barker “Comedy Night Done Right” in the fall. Still, though, with so few episodes and a lack of immediate success for the more high-profile 30 Rock, will people tune in to see Andy Richter? I doubt it, personally, but anything can happen.
Raines airs at 10pm EST on NBC, Andy Richter at 9:30pm EST on the same.
Cultural Learnings 