Will Kelsey Grammer succeed on Starz? – Quibbling Siblings

Debbie:

Some very interesting news cropped up this week: Kelsey Grammer’s new Starz drama, Boss, was renewed for a second season … even before the first season aired. The Starz president backed his decision by explaining that each consecutive episode got so much richer that he thought it was important to keep up the momentum and start on the new season as soon as possible.

OK, but what a strange and wonderful thing to happen in this television viewing climate. On the one hand, that vote of confidence for Grammer is remarkable, seeing as his last two shows didn’t even make it a full season. On the other, when the pattern these days is more like Hank and Back to You, what on earth makes Starz think this is a sound business decision? Does cable just plain care about quality television more?

Bob:

Well, Boss is a drama which, in my mind at least, precludes it from any comparisons to the like of Hank and Back to You. What I find most interesting is that this move was made by a network like Starz. With a history of not standing by a lot of its shows (see the cancellation of the excellent Party Down or the one and done season of Camelot), it seems very out of character. They have been trying for a while now to really break into the original programming scene, perhaps they really feel like this is their best shot yet.

Perhaps they are just trying to drum up more interest in the show before it airs. The president claims that the show got richer and deeper? Is that just code that the first few episodes are trash? Maybe it’s the cynic in me, but if the powers that be at Starz saw some improvement, maybe they thought they needed to advertise that (with a positive spin) to drum up continuing interest. I know, personally, an endorsement like a second season pick up will definitely give me a little more patience with the show.

Debbie:

You make some good points, not only about Starz’s history and motivations, but that perhaps this is the smartest marketing ploy ever devised by a network: “Please, stick with Boss. We know the first few episodes are dreadfully boring, but it gets better, we promise. Plus, Kelsey Grammer will be employed for two seasons in a row, and that’s rare these days.”

Knowing the premise, that Grammer plays “a ruthless Chicago mayor trying to mask a debilitating mental condition,” I can only imagine that Grammer owns this role. Man, I can picture him shining here. I’ll be thrilled if Boss is a success, both for him and for Starz.

Keith was wondering if Grammer somehow had so much pull that he was able to demand the second season before he’d sign on, or something to that effect. What do you think? And, if it turns out to have been a smart move, do you think we’ll see more of this sort of thing, and less speedy cancellations?

 Bob:

I agree, the show does sound intriguing, and I’m actually surprised that Grammer hasn’t done a drama series before now. I guess he was too busy playing Frasier Crane for the first 75 years of his life.

I don’t think Grammer made it happen as Keith suggests because if it were the case, I don’t think they would have announced it now, I think they would have announced a two season pick up to begin with. As for seeing more of these? I don’t think you’ll ever see it on the networks, not for new shows at least. CBS has been doing multiple season pick ups for a couple years now.

Debbie:

Right, I’ve been thinking about CBS, but you’re right about it being different. I guess the big difference is that a regular network could never afford to have as much confidence in an unaired show as a cable station can. Just look at the disappointing ratings of Terra Nova as an example.

Bob:

Maybe Steven Spielberg needed to pull his weight and get a two season pickup for Terra Nova. You can’t tell me HE doesn’t have the power to make it happen.

Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Sep 29, 2011 @ 10:00 EST5EDT