Must-See TV is Grade C at best

What we are witnessing right now on television is one of the great dynasties past its prime. I'm not referring to the Yankees, but instead to NBC's Thursday nights "Must-See TV."\nFor the past 20 years, we have encountered shows including "Seinfeld," "Cosby," "Family Ties," "Hill Street Blues," "Cheers" and "Friends" to name just a few. But with the latter about to end this year, with waning ratings and the rise of CBS' lineup, it seems the crown could be passed. It's worth noting that another hit as always just seemed to find its way on air, but a new show hasn't emerged since "Will and Grace" and "Scrubs."\nLet's take a look at why NBC is losing this battle. I am a long-standing "Friends" fan, but the show hasn't really been in its prime since Ross got married a third time, and if it wasn't for a small ratings surge in 2001, they'd be gone already. \nNext up is "Scrubs," which honestly is not only the best comedy on NBC, but also the best comedy on any of the broadcast stations. I'd even be so bold as to say the best comedy on TV. \n"Will and Grace" and "ER" are on the same path as "Friends:" a little past their prime. Most of "ER's" original cast has even jumped ship. \n"Coupling" is an interesting subject as well. Some may think the American version of the British version of "Friends" may be ironic, but apparently the people at NBC think it spells comic gold. It promises hook-ups and innuendo so naturally, being the overly horny college student I am, I tuned in. This show suffers from over-hype. It's really not as bad as the critics say it is, but it's hardly the second coming. \nSo what does NBC need to do exactly? They have two options: make a radical change shaking up Thursday's lineup or admit defeat and try going after another day. Tuesdays are ripe for a comedic takeover. \nIf I were going to fix Thursday's lineup, my first order of business would be to bring "ER" to an end. The time has come, and drama is the one thing NBC hasn't had trouble developing. Move "The West Wing" to that spot or Alicia Silverstone's "Miss Match," which performs decently considering it's on a Friday. \nSuggestion No. 2: take some risks on innovation. NBC, you're in need of a new comedy. If I see another single girl working at a magazine, I swear I'll cry. You don't want that. \nTake FOX for example, it's primed to overtake the coveted 18- to 49-year-old demographic because it keeps putting out creative new comedies. Sure, for every "Malcolm" or "Bernie Mac," there is an "Oliver Beene," but FOX isn't afraid of trying new things. Maybe that's because they're in fourth, but remember, NBC was in third of three when they turned it around in the '80s. \nMaybe the spin-off "Joey" will be the next "Frasier," but it will be hard to bank on that. Until recently, "Joey" was hardly the leading man of the show, and without such a strong supporting cast, this will be a hard sell. For next fall they should put "Joey" on Tuesdays in "Frasier"'s vacated spot and follow it with "Coupling" to giving them both time to grow. "Coupling" may be doomed to fail because it is a shtick show and the characters need more depth. \nOn Thursdays, lead off with "Scrubs" and follow it with a new comedy, a buddy show along the same lines of "Cheers" or "Friends," a group of friends and their lives. Next keep "Will and Grace" where it is in attempts to hammock this new comedy. Finally close with another new comedy. This can be a premise comedy around one character with a good secondary cast (i.e., "Seinfeld," "Frasier"). \nGive these prime slots to some people widely considered to have talent but often have ratings-deprived shows. For instance think about Paul Rudd starring as a college professor alongside Scott Foley (both actors are great as guest stars on "Friends" and "Scrubs," respectively) written by Judd Apatow. Secondly give these shows a chance; don't just yank them right away. "Cheers," "M*A*S*H," "Hill Street Blues" and "Taxi" are all shows that finished way down their first season in the ratings. You need a long-running hit more than a short-term flash in the pan. \nHistory is on the side of NBC; they've always had a new hit emerge when an old one leaves, so there is hope. But each show was different from everything else on TV, and if something doesn't happen soon I "must be" watching something else.