TV Guiding
Searching for that perfect TV tie-in, but just don’t have the resources to hook up with Friends or The Simpsons? Never fear. PROMO is here to give you a rundown of the new series which will be making or breaking this fall on the nation’s six broadcast networks. ▪ While it may be difficult to judge a show by the brief summaries or short trailers offered by the nets, it’s not as hard to serve up a few ideas — serious or not — for potential promotional tie-ins. PROMO asked a few Hollywood know-it-alls to help us brainstorm some possibilities. ▪ A word of advice: You might want to wait for at least one round of Nielsen overnights before you sign any deals. Who knows how many of these series will be canceled by November? ▪ Here’s the lineup, night by night.
SUNDAY
8-9 p.m. American Dreams (NBC)
See sidebar, pg. 53.
8-8:30 p.m. Bram & Alice (CBS)
Frustrated author Alice discovers that her long-lost father is the author of a classic American novel — and a womanizing drunk. A clothing brand could be a natural partner for this comedy, says Marsha Levine, founder of A List Entertainment, Los Angeles. We at PROMO are thinking the more obvious tie-in for Ripple or Mad Dog.
9:30-10 p.m. The Grubbs (Fox)
A 14-year-old boy from a family of underachievers gains love and support from a new teacher in this comedy. A fun, guy-skewing brand like A&W might work here, Levine says. And somebody should call the national PTA.
10-11 p.m. Boomtown (NBC)
A Los Angeles-based crime drama will tackle one case each week, offering the viewpoints of the police, the media, the victim, and local politicians. Home security systems might find a nice fit here, winks Mitch Litvak, president of L.A. Office, Los Angeles.
MONDAY
9-9:30 p.m. Everwood (WB)
After the death of his wife, a renowned neurosurgeon leaves New York City to open a practice in a small Colorado town. “A total fish-out-of-water campaign with anything outdoors — or SUVs — would be great,” Litvak says. And somebody should call the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
9-10:00 p.m. Girl’s Club (Fox)
The latest David Kelley drama explores the lives of three young, female lawyers in San Francisco. A hip apparel maker like Steve Madden shoes would suit the show well, offers Jay May, president of Feature This, Burbank, CA
9:30-10 p.m. Half and Half (UPN)
The lives of two very different African-American half-sisters collide comedically when they wind up as neighbors. “We would have to see what the age group for the show is, but if it’s young, hip, and multicultural, something with Dr Pepper/7 Up would be a possibility,” suggests Levine. But shouldn’t Cremora get first refusal?
Still Standing (CBS)
A blue-collar Chicago couple who grew up in the 1970s is determined to raise their three children the right way. Partnerships with parenting magazines or even Planned Parenthood (“just to make things controversial”) are an idea, Litvak says. Or, how about a cross-promotion with The Osbournes?
10-11 p.m. CSI: Miami (CBS)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation spins off to the streets of what is referred to alternately as Cuba North or Georgia South. Mott’s might want to explore this one for its Hispanic-targeted Clamato beverage. We’re serious about that one.
TUESDAY
8-8:30 p.m. 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (ABC)
See sidebar, pg. 53.
In Laws (NBC)
A comedic father- and son-in-law turf war. New York City-based GEM Group president John Zamoiski suggests “a tie-in with La-Z-Boy and Philips Consumer Electronics, which would be perfect for the father-in-law and son-in-law dynamic.”
9-9:30 p.m. Life with Bonnie (ABC)
Comedian Bonnie Hunt borrows from her own life for a comedy about a local-TV show host. A good fit would be a national haircutting chain such as Fantastic Sam’s “or a national department store’s cosmetics department,” Zamoiski says. Hey, would it be silly to suggest a certain Quaker Oats cereal?
9:30-10 p.m. Hidden Hills (NBC)
The secret lives of two suburban couples are exposed. A tie-in with Century 21 Real Estate to win a home in the suburbs isn’t a bad idea, says Zamoiski. Or, maybe that spy camera hawked in all those pop-under Internet ads?
Less Than Perfect (ABC)
A former temp at a TV news station finds her way to the anchor’s desk. A promotion with Marshall’s for its “slightly imperfect” clothes, or alliances with the No. 2 brands in various categories, would be fun, Litvak says.
9-10 p.m. Haunted (UPN)
A private eye has a near-death experience that lets him communicate with ghosts to solve crimes. If Miss Cleo is free, she’d make a great spokesperson. If not, there’s always Halloween promos.
WEDNESDAY
8:30-9 p.m. Cedric the Entertainer (Fox)
One of the “Original Kings of Comedy” hosts a variety show. African-American-focused brands, like Mountain Dew’s Code Red, should consider their options — May suggests a partnership with Popeye’s Chicken.
9-10 p.m. Birds of Prey (WB)
Based on a DC Comics property, this live-action series features Huntress, the daughter of Batman and Catwoman. Anybody going after teenage boys or aging nerds should check in on this one. You know, Pepsi, Vans, Hershey’s, Frito’s — Lexus.
Fastlane (Fox)
Two cop friends take to the streets of L.A. to fight crime in style — thanks to a seized warehouse full of Rolexes, Ferraris, and Gucci items at their disposal. Fox more than likely has already taken meetings with the above brands. And it sounds like there’s plenty of room in the script for weekly “guest” appearances.
The Twilight Zone (UPN)
Hosted by actor Forest Whitaker, this revival adds modern twists to the standard freaky happenings, most of which will feature well-known actors. Call now to avoid the Halloween rush.
10-11 p.m. Meds (ABC)
Two renegade doctors must relentlessly bend the rules to treat their patients at an HMO-controlled hospital. Maxell did well placing its headphones into an episode of NBC’s Scrubs las year, notes Levine, who says medical shows generally feature a variety of settings with placement potential.
Presidio Med (CBS)
The team behind ER follows a group of female physicians at a private San Francisco practice. Health and beauty brands, like Herbal Essence, should fall in line with this one, says Litvak.
THURSDAY
8-9 p.m. Dinotopia: The Series (ABC)
A father and his two sons explore a lost world. ABC should call The History Channel’s marketing department to see if it can borrow the cable net’s partnership Rolodex. A chat with partners who’ve made Universal’s Jurassic Park series so tie-in friendly wouldn’t hurt either.
8-8:30 p.m. Family Affair (WB)
See sidebar, page 53.
8:30-9 p.m. Do Over (WB)
A single, mid-30s salesman wakes up one morning to find himself back in high school during the 1980s. Cyndi Luther, vp-marketing at Los Angeles-based The Regan Group, recommends a Drew Carey-esque “spot the incongruity” promotion that would feature current brands not available then.
9-10 p.m. Push, Nevada (ABC)
An IRS agent travels to the Nevada desert to find missing money and discovers a mysterious town with bizarre inhabitants. Each episode in what will be mulit-episode arcs contain clues viewers use to find — and win — the money in question. If this show doesn’t get a deal with a Vegas casino, something is very wrong.
9:30-10 p.m. Good Morning Miami (NBC)
A comedy about a successful producer who takes the helm at a low-rated morning show. How about a partnership with Orbitz to win “an early bird special tour of Miami Beach, including dinner at five and bingo,” Zamoiski asks.
10-11 p.m. Without a Trace (CBS)
This suspense series follows an FBI task force that tracks down missing persons via psychological profiling and old-school detective work. This one sounds a little too grim for tie-ins (and dumb jokes).
FRIDAY
8-8:30 p.m. What I Like About You (WB)
A 16-year-old girl must live with her ultra-conservative sister when their father moves overseas. Any brand that worked with Sabrina, the Teenage Witch might find this property magical as well.
8-9 p.m. Firefly (Fox)
A new series from Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s creator follows the adventures of a for-hire spaceship crew. Futuristic brands, such as electric cars or computers, should inquire.
9-10 p.m. Hack (CBS)
An ex-police officer becomes a vigilante taxi driver. A tie-in with Hollywood hot spot Coffee Beanery fits into just about any show — especially this one, with the hero working these late hours, May says.
That Was Then (ABC)
A 30-year-old door-to-door salesman wakes up one morning 16 again, with a chance to rewrite his future. See Do Over, above, for partnership tips.
9-10 p.m. John Doe (Fox)
A man who knows everything in the world — except his own identity — helps Seattle police solve impossible crimes. Other than Starbucks, there doesn’t seem to be any obvious choices here.
9:30-10 p.m. Greetings from Tucson (WB)
A 15-year-old boy faces the challenges of growing up in an ethnically mixed family. Family-focused brands will work nicely here.
10-11 p.m. RHD/LA (CBS)
Director Michael Mann returns to his Miami Vice roots with the story of an obsessed chief detective. Sounds like a deal with Ray Ban is a must. But please, no Ocean Pacific.
Quality Time
The fall’s TV schedule offers more family-friendly programming — literally.
Two comedies and a drama have been produced with funding from the Family Friendly Programming Forum’s Script Development Initiative, which was formed by 40 members of the Association of National Advertisers, New York City, to offer more shows suitable for family viewing. Among the 18 companies which provided funding for this year’s programs are AT&T, FedEx, Ford Motor Co., PepsiCo, Pfizer, and Verizon Communications.
NBC’s American Dreams, The WB’s Family Affair, and ABC’s 8 Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter this fall join The WB’s Gilmore Girls, which was the first Initiative-funded program.
Two of the shows have a nostalgic premise. American Dreams is an hour-long drama that follows a family living through the 1960s. Family Affair is a modern take on the eponymous 1960s sitcom about a Manhattan bachelor and his English butler who find themselves surrogate parents to three children.
8 Simple Rules, on the other hand, is purely modern, and stars John Ritter as a doting father struggling to keep two difficult teenagers in check.
Crank Calls
Comedy Central is putting $15 million in support behind the June launch of Crank Yankers, a new reality TV show airing Sunday at 10:30 p.m.
The cable net in May distributed about one million branded, five-minute phonecards through a full-page ad in Entertainment Weekly, “Yankermobile” street teams in 12 markets, local radio events, and taxi driver “swat teams” working the New Orleans Jazz Festival.
The show depicts puppets, voiced by such comedians as Jimmy Kimmel, Kevin Nealon, Tracy Morgan, and Dennis Leary, making crank calls. “The entire promotional campaign has been very true to the show’s spirit,” says Richard Loomis, vp-advertising and marketing for Comedy Central.
