My Own Worst Enemy

Big Stars Do Not Equal Big Viewers: Admittedly, this first asks us to accept NBC execs’ contention that Christian Slater is a big movie star. But that’s exactly the stance NBC was trying to sell critics on while talking about the steps the network took to “lure” Slater to episodic TV. NBC Entertainment Co-Chair Ben Silverman said he even took Slater’s mother to lunch in efforts to bring the actor on board. 

Despite NBC’s contention that Slater was an awesome get for the network, it’s not like they were bringing Tom Cruise on board here. What else did Slater have on his plate, another Alone in the Dark sequel? The same week Enemy bit the dust, NBC also pulled the plug on Brooke Shields’ vehicle Lipstick Jungle. After Suddenly Susan and cameos on That 70s Show, Shields could easily be considered as a TV star as much as a movie star.

Pictured: Christian Slater as Henry Spivey/Edward Albright — NBC Photo: Chris Haston

As Portfolio notes, NBC isn’t shying away from its celebrity driven strategy, even talking up a potential Sarah Palin appearance on 30 Rock.

Viewers Don’t Like 60 Minute Commercials Anymore Than 30 Second Ones: While NBC officials try to figure out what happened to Enemy, perhaps they shouldn’t look at it as an expensive and flashy spy drama. The correct view may be to look at it as another failed project from two struggling companies.

NBC is bringing up the rear in TV ratings and General Motors, currently seeking government help to avoid bankruptcy, signed up for product placement in Enemy. The new Chevy Camaro convertible was the vehicle of choice for Slater’s Edward Albright, while suburban alter ego Henry Spivey drove the Traverse SUV. The cars featured prominently in commercials and even in the show’s plotlines. In the premiere, Albright chided Spivey for driving his car as if the other personality had made off with James Bond’s Aston Martin.

Spokespeople for both companies told the New York Times they will continue doing similar partnerships. The Times cites the GM/NBC partnership as one of the reasons NBC will air the five remaining episodes of the now canceled spy drama. The Knight Rider remake that earned a surprising pickup in light of lackluster ratings is backed by Ford, as the new KITT is a Ford Mustang. Ford wields so much influence on the Rider set that NBC was forced to recast Will Arnett’s voiceover role as KITT because the actor does GMC commercials.

Escapist TV Still Has to Be Good TV: With the economy struggling, NBC  banked heavily on people wanting fantastic fun in their nightly TV viewing. In addition to the unique concept of Enemy, the network’s fall lineup includes the Rider remake and a re-imagining of Robinson Crusoe. TV Guide Critic Matt Roush calls NBC’s fall lineup the worst he’s ever experienced. He did call Enemy the best of the bunch but said even it was impossible to endorse because it’s too hard to follow.

Enemy was also supposed to benefit from having getting some of Heroes’ viewership. The problem there is this year Heroes hasn’t been able to benefit much from its own viewership. Former fans, including several on our boards, have decided to stay away. They cite too much time travel and too many superfluous characters among the reasons. While sci-fi fans are always hungry for more programming, they won’t watch just anything. NBC should know this better than most due to its Bionic Woman experiment.

Ironically, while NBC’s fall fantasy lineup is crashing, reality standbys like Dancing With The Stars continue to pull in big numbers. A show like Dancing is the complete opposite of NBC’s current strategies. There’s no special effects budget and Cloris Leachman is one of the biggest stars you’ll find over there.

With Enemy gone, the axe hovering near Crusoe and the dreaded “jump the shark” phrase being used in connection with Heroes, it could take a superhero to get NBC out of this mess.

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NBC

NBC had high hopes for Enemy due to Slater’s potential draw, heavy promotion during the Summer Olympics and the show inheriting the time slot after Heroes. But due to the problems that have plagued that show, the Monday night 9 p.m. area isn’t the posh ratings location it used to be.  Enemy was unable to hold millions of Heroes viewers and let’s face it, NBC doesn’t need another way to lose Heroes viewers. There has been no word on whether the network will pull Enemy immediately or at least air the remaining five episodes.

Pictured: Christian Slater as Henry Spivey/Edward Albright–NBC Photo: Jack Zeman

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An experimental procedure has placed a wall of sorts in between their two minds so that even Henry and Edward don’t know the other exists. The show encounters some problems right off the bat as Heroes’ ratings have been steadily declining since last year. It ain’t the lead-in it used to be. Readers, are you ready for spy drama with Christian Slater? Check out this clip from NBC and tell us what you think.

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One of the most interesting things about a new fall season is trying to figure out which shows will hit and which shows will miss. Starpulse’s Kate Kostal appears unimpressed with much-anticipated Fox genre show Fringe’s chances.

She’s worried the “similar to the X-Files” vibe will be too much to live up to, listing Fringe among what she calls “DOA” shows like Kath and Kim or The Ex-List. Since The Ex-List inherits Moonlight’s old timeslot, I’m guessing a few thousand of our readers would not be sad to see that one die a quick and painless death.

She also lists Christian Slater’s My Own Worst Enemy, for some of the same reasons. Kostal thinks its premise is too similar to Chuck, a show already on NBC. I can see her point there, but I don’t agree that Fringe fans have any reason to be worried.

There has been so much pre-publicity for Fringe that Fox looks worse than anybody if it tanks. Take into account J.J. Abrams’ track record with shows like Lost and Alias, from there you have to figure Fringe will get every chance to succeed.

Simply put: It’s a lot easier to pull the plug on a New Amsterdam than it is an Abrams show.

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Christian Slater’s

I will skip the obligatory joke about Slater, who has had his share of legal troubles, being his own worst enemy. Oops. According to NBC, Slater plays normal suburban dad Henry and lethal super spy Edward. Henry is oblivious to his dual life due to an experiment from years before. It premieres Oct.13. Of course, it won’t have an easy task as there are a lot of new genre shows trying to find traction in this crazy season after the strike.

So what do SFUniverse readers think? Does this have “Must See TV” potential? Will you wait to see it or are you interested enough to even give it a chance?

NBC Photo: Adam Taylor

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