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In a move that shows where NBC stands right now, the network has given back order pick-ups to UP ALL NIGHT (which had a 2.1 rating in 18-49s last week) and WHITNEY (with a 2.5). It’s not clear whether these are the traditional 9-episode back orders. The cynical among us may note that NBC needed to make these orders public before either show has a chance to air again tomorrow and Thursday, since any further declines from last week’s ratings would make the new orders even more suspect. And the really, really cynical could add that since both shows are produced in-house for the network, their orders could be cut just as quickly as they’ve been extended, if declining ratings warrant.
The other side of the network’s ledger is that THE PLAYBOY CLUB is closing its doors, and will be yanked from the schedule in favor of the new Brian Williams-hosted newsmagazine show ROCK CENTER (not to be confused with 30 Rock), which will debut on October 31. This gives Playboy the dubious distinction of being the first official flop of the new season. (In other words, FREE AGENTS should be looking over its shoulder.)
About the Author
Mitch Salem
MITCH SALEM has worked on the business side of the entertainment industry for 20 years, as a senior business affairs executive and attorney for such companies as NBC, ABC, USA, Syfy, Bravo, and BermanBraun Productions, and before that, at the NY law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. During all that, he has more or less constantly been going to the movies and watching TV, and writing about both since the 1980s. His film reviews also currently appear on screened.com and the-burg.com. In addition, he is co-writer of an episode of the television series "Felicity."
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