When Seinfeld ends one of the most successful television runs in history on May 14, 1998 in one of the most watched (if not the most watched ) television events of all time. But what about the years A-S (after Seinfeld)? What should take over the coveted 9 o'clock position that has been held by NBC's two greatest and most successful shows (Cheers and Seinfeld). Unlike when Cheers ended and Seinfeld was the only possible replacement, there are 6 good contenders for NBC's coveted 9 o'clock spot: Friends, Frasier, Mad About You, Just Shoot Me, 3rd Rock From the Sun, and Newsradio.
Friends is NBC's 2nd most successful sitcom, and has the capabilities to be the next great TV show. But Friends is doing successful in its 8 o'clock spot, which should and most likely will be their home until the show ends its run. Friends is a good way to start off Must-See TV and is the starting off point where all the viewers come in, and their role at 8 will be more vital now that Seinfeld is ending its run.
Frasier is the show that NBC will most likely choose to succeed Seinfeld. Frasier has won unnumerable awards and is a spinoff of Cheers. But if Frasier jumps over to Thursday Nights, what will hold up Tuesdays. Now that Home Improvement has signed on for another year with ABC, NBC needs Frasier on Tuesdays to make sure that ABC doesn't dominate both Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Mad About You is also a popular show, but it is the least expected to be the successor to Seinfeld. One reason is that Mad About You might also end its run after this season and that even if it signs on, it will be too late in its run, so in about two years, NBC will be scrambling to find a sitcom to replace Mad About You. It should and will end its run at 8 on Tuesday nights
Just Shoot Me most definately will jump over to Thursday Nights. But don't look for it to go into the 9 o'clock spot. Why? It has potential to become one of the more popular shows, but it is still very early in its run and hasn't established that cult audience yet. Maybe in 5 years they will be the successor to the successor to Seinfeld.
3rd Rock From the Sun is another show that looks like it will succeed Seinfeld, but it will most likely be used at Tuesday night for strong competition on that night. Another possiblity is to put it at 9:30 or 8:30 on Thursdays to make Thursday the best night of television in a long time, even without Seinfeld. But if you look at the push that NBC is giving 3rd Rock, 3rd Rock has a good chance at 9 pm.
And finally, Newsradio. Newsradio has been overlooked by NBC for most of its run, but has established its cult audience and has potential to be one of the greats. Another reason is it's run has paralelled Seinfeld's where it struggled in its earlier time slots, but at 9 it became a blockbuster, same with Cheers. Newsradio should succeed Seinfeld, but it probably wont.
Here's what I think the NBC schedule should be.
Sunday-Drama specials-just concede this night to Fox
Monday Caroline in the City The Naked Truth Veronica's Closet And whatever the other show is on this night Dateline NBC
Tuesday Mad About You (new show) Frasier 3rd Rock From the Sun Dateline Tuesday
Wednesday-just concede this night to ABC Working (new show) Working (new show) Homicide
Thursday Friends (new show) Newsradio Just Shoot Me ER
Friday-TV movie special (let this be family night and let ABC and CBS uselessly battle it out)
Here's what the NBC schedule will most likely be
Sunday-Useless Crap
Monday Caroline in the City whatever that other show is called Veronica's Closet The Naked Truth Dateline Monday
Tuesday Mad About You (new show) 3rd Rock from the sun (new show) Dateline Tuesday
Wednesday Working (new show) (popular show re-runs used to boost up the night) Working Homicide
Thursday Friends Just Shoot Me Frasier Newsradio ER
Friday-I have no clue