After decades, NBC scraps Thursday night comedies

Henry Hanks, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 3:06 PM EST, Tue December 16, 2014
On Friday, NBC announced its midseason schedule, which will be entirely devoid of sitcoms on Thursday nights. This will be the first time that has happened since the early 1980s. "Cheers," which premiered on Thursday nights in 1982, is still considered among the finest comedies of all time. It was a darling of the Emmys for many years, thanks to a cast led by Ted Danson (top left).
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
On Friday, NBC announced its midseason schedule, which will be entirely devoid of sitcoms on Thursday nights. This will be the first time that has happened since the early 1980s. "Cheers," which premiered on Thursday nights in 1982, is still considered among the finest comedies of all time. It was a darling of the Emmys for many years, thanks to a cast led by Ted Danson (top left).
NBC
"The Cosby Show" dominated the ratings through much of the mid- and late 1980s and remains a standard against which family comedies are measured. (In recent months, reruns have been pulled from TV Land after allegations about Bill Cosby and sexual assault.)
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"The Cosby Show" dominated the ratings through much of the mid- and late 1980s and remains a standard against which family comedies are measured. (In recent months, reruns have been pulled from TV Land after allegations about Bill Cosby and sexual assault.)
NBC
Michael J. Fox, left, shot to stardom after portraying stalwart Republican (in a family of liberals) Alex P. Keaton on "Family Ties."
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
Michael J. Fox, left, shot to stardom after portraying stalwart Republican (in a family of liberals) Alex P. Keaton on "Family Ties."
Courtesy NBC
"Night Court," starring Markie Post and Harry Anderson, was a perfect show to follow "Cheers" on Thursday nights, another workplace comedy with quirky characters.
The death of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"Night Court," starring Markie Post and Harry Anderson, was a perfect show to follow "Cheers" on Thursday nights, another workplace comedy with quirky characters.
From Warner Bros.
"Wings," with Tim Daly, center, and Steven Weber, left, was sort of the "also-ran" show during the "Cheers" heyday, but it was able to muster eight seasons.
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"Wings," with Tim Daly, center, and Steven Weber, left, was sort of the "also-ran" show during the "Cheers" heyday, but it was able to muster eight seasons.
From NBC
"Cosby" spinoff "A Different World" continues to be beloved among viewers who were around the same age as Whitley (Jasmine Guy, right) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) in college.
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"Cosby" spinoff "A Different World" continues to be beloved among viewers who were around the same age as Whitley (Jasmine Guy, right) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) in college.
From NBC
"Seinfeld" inspired a cult-like following usually reserved for science fiction TV series. Between the Junior Mints, the "yada-yada," Elaine's crazy dancing and Festivus, there were many memorable moments. The show also stands the test of time in reruns.
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"Seinfeld" inspired a cult-like following usually reserved for science fiction TV series. Between the Junior Mints, the "yada-yada," Elaine's crazy dancing and Festivus, there were many memorable moments. The show also stands the test of time in reruns.
NBC
"Friends" is seen as synonymous with the 1990s, inspiring fashion, humor and music (that catchy theme song even hit No. 1). Jennifer Aniston emerged as an A-list star after it ended in 2004, and the others haven't done badly, either.
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"Friends" is seen as synonymous with the 1990s, inspiring fashion, humor and music (that catchy theme song even hit No. 1). Jennifer Aniston emerged as an A-list star after it ended in 2004, and the others haven't done badly, either.
From Warner Bros.
"Cheers'" spinoff "Frasier" was like catnip to Emmy voters. As Frasier Crane, Kelsey Grammer, right, played off against a number of wacky characters, especially David Hyde Pierce, second from left, as brother Niles.
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"Cheers'" spinoff "Frasier" was like catnip to Emmy voters. As Frasier Crane, Kelsey Grammer, right, played off against a number of wacky characters, especially David Hyde Pierce, second from left, as brother Niles.
NBC
"Mad About You," starring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt, was often seen as the companion series to "Friends" and "Seinfeld," sharing the comedic sensibilities of both. Hunt went on to movie fame during and after its run.
The death of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"Mad About You," starring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt, was often seen as the companion series to "Friends" and "Seinfeld," sharing the comedic sensibilities of both. Hunt went on to movie fame during and after its run.
sony pictures/getty images
"Will and Grace," starring Debra Messing, left, and Megan Mullally, broke ground in portraying the relationship between a straight woman and a gay man, and may very well have set some sort of record for guest stars over the years.
The death of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"Will and Grace," starring Debra Messing, left, and Megan Mullally, broke ground in portraying the relationship between a straight woman and a gay man, and may very well have set some sort of record for guest stars over the years.
NBC
One of the first "single camera" comedies with no studio audience, "Scrubs" was another NBC series that developed a cult following despite so-so ratings.
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
One of the first "single camera" comedies with no studio audience, "Scrubs" was another NBC series that developed a cult following despite so-so ratings.
Matthew Simmons/Getty Images
"30 Rock" was willing to bite the hand that fed it: an NBC comedy set at NBC. The stars were, from left, Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer.
The death of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"30 Rock" was willing to bite the hand that fed it: an NBC comedy set at NBC. The stars were, from left, Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer.
nbc
NBC was dying for comedy hits in the middle of the last decade, and along came "The Office," the remake of the acclaimed British series. It made Steve Carell, right, and Ed Helms into stars, and was the anchor for the network's revamped "Comedy Night Done Right."
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
NBC was dying for comedy hits in the middle of the last decade, and along came "The Office," the remake of the acclaimed British series. It made Steve Carell, right, and Ed Helms into stars, and was the anchor for the network's revamped "Comedy Night Done Right."
Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank
"My Name is Earl's" first season was a big hit for NBC, though ratings for the show, about the dim-witted hero's (Jason Lee) search to make up all his past wrongs, steadily declined over four seasons.
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"My Name is Earl's" first season was a big hit for NBC, though ratings for the show, about the dim-witted hero's (Jason Lee) search to make up all his past wrongs, steadily declined over four seasons.
From NBC
"Community" was anything but a ratings hit -- something it almost wore as a badge of honor -- but fans on social media weren't ready to give up on it after five seasons at NBC. Yahoo! is allowing it to have a sixth season, following in the footsteps of "Arrested Development."
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
"Community" was anything but a ratings hit -- something it almost wore as a badge of honor -- but fans on social media weren't ready to give up on it after five seasons at NBC. Yahoo! is allowing it to have a sixth season, following in the footsteps of "Arrested Development."
NBC
Not quite a spinoff of "The Office," Amy Poehler and the cast of "Parks and Recreation" slowly gained a fan following, especially in recent years. The Thursday mainstay will live out its final episodes on Tuesday nights in early 2015.
The end of NBC 'Must See' comedies —
Not quite a spinoff of "The Office," Amy Poehler and the cast of "Parks and Recreation" slowly gained a fan following, especially in recent years. The Thursday mainstay will live out its final episodes on Tuesday nights in early 2015.
NBC
The death of NBC 'Must See' comedies

Story highlights

NBC announces that Thursday comedies will be replaced by drama in the new year

"The Blacklist" will be the centerpiece of the new lineup

Thursday has been the home to hit NBC comedies for over three decades

CNN  — 

There was a time when Thursday night on NBC was truly “must-see TV” – and it was thanks to comedies.

The lineups changed gradually over the years, but they always brought in huge ratings and trounced the competition.

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The golden age began in the 1980s with a lineup of classics including the top-rated “The Cosby Show,” “Family Ties,” “Cheers” and “Night Court.” The 1990s brought the debuts of “Seinfeld” and “Friends,” which went on to become two of the decade’s top TV sitcoms.

Those days are long gone. On Friday, NBC announced a new midseason schedule completely absent of Thursday night comedies. “Parks and Recreation,” the last of the string, is set to finish its run on Tuesdays.

The new Thursday will have hit drama “The Blacklist” as its centerpiece.

The day has been on the horizon for years. After “The Office” and “30 Rock” ended and “Community” was canceled, Thursday comedies began to dwindle.

Shawn Pasternak, a hardcore TV watcher who posts his musings at @ShawnCP92, said ABC and CBS have made strides on Thursdays in recent years, loosening NBC’s grip on the night.

“What was really interesting to me was what happened last season, when NBC made a concerted effort to sign NBC Must See TV Thursday alumni Sean Hayes and Michael J. Fox to very prominent sitcom deals, both of which flopped completely in the 9 p.m. hour,” he observed.

It’s also a sign of changing TV viewing habits, Diane Gordon of The Surf Report said.

“Today’s viewers watch TV in entirely different ways than they did in the 1980s and 1990s and broadcast networks are hit hardest by this change,” she said. “Many viewers, especially younger viewers, watch shows on demand via DVR and via streaming services like Hulu, Netflix and Amazon. This means there are almost no TV shows that are appointment TV like there were in the ’80s and ‘90s.”

That could have signaled the real end for NBC’s comedy legacy on Thursdays.

Nows, NBC’s Monday hit drama “The Blacklist” will make the move to that night, following a prime showcase after the Super Bowl.

NBC is hoping to make a ratings dent in ABC’s Thursday night dramas, not to mention CBS’ Thursday night comedy lineup, led by “The Big Bang Theory.”

This comes in a season where many of the canceled shows have been comedies, including NBC Thursday night shows “Bad Judge” and “A to Z.”

“As a longtime fan of TV comedy, it’s sad to see a broadcast network make this decision,” said Gordon. “I hope they’re not permanently abandoning the Thursday comedy lineup.”