On week nights television felt the ratings drop all over the place on standard network shows. On weekends people looked for more variety in entertainment out side of television which symbolized an escape from the work week. Television was tied to the 9 to 5 culture of America. Weekends were escape hatches.
However there have been break out shows since the late nineties when the paradigm shifted away from the big Saturday tv night. But those shows are on during the week. Most notably, Thursday night. That’s when the networks put on their biggest hit-seeking efforts. This started after NBC struck gold with THE COSBY SHOW, FAMILY TIES, CHEERS, and LA LAW. ABC had carved out a money-making niche with TGIF with FAMILY MATTERS, PERFECT STRANGERS, and FULL HOUSE. But NBC stood strong with MIAMI VICE, a kind of residue from their Thursday night dominance.
At this point Saturday night is the television graveyard. It is littered with the bodies of repeats, cheesy tabloid shows, and canceled shows that must “burn off” their remaining episodes. The only true remaining winner is ironically, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. There are efforts underway to bring some new late night competition in this fall. Will Saturday night ever return to it’s former glory? Keep your eyes on the life-support monitor.
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