Losing! The networks strike out with shows

By Robert Bianco, USA TODAY

The networks had better hope success has just skipped a year.

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  By Greg Gayne, Warner Bros.

  Charlie Sheen at least had people talking about CBS' Two and a Half Men.

By Greg Gayne, Warner Bros.

Charlie Sheen at least had people talking about CBS' Two and a Half Men.

This time last year, we were celebrating fabulous freshmen Modern Family, The Middle, The Good Wife, Glee, Community, Cougar Town and Vampire Diaries. The season went so well, it left you wondering whether the networks had finally emerged from their procedural slump and were again ready to challenge cable for creative supremacy.

We should have been paying more attention to Hank, Three Riversand The Jay Leno Show: They're the ones that turned out to be this year's role models. It's hard to name a single new show anyone seems particularly thrilled to watch, let alone willing to battle to save.

For their sakes and ours, let's hope their year-long vacation left them rested, because there's work to do. Here are a few general ideas for the Big Four to ponder for fall ? beyond, of course, the most general suggestion of all: Do better.

?ABC could use a better comedy to fill out a Wednesday foursome,but what it and all of broadcast TV really needs is a drama that can match the quality and water-cooler impact of Lost. Easier said, obviously, than done. But the key the networks keep missing is to search for a show as good as Lost, not for one trying to be Lost? because one trying to be Lost will never be as good as Lost.

?NBC seems to be focused on finding a replacement for Steve Carell on The Office, with good reason: It remains NBC's biggest-demographic scripted hit. But what NBC needs is a hit that doesn't require a "demographic" qualifier. That was clearly the goal this season with shows such as Undercovers and Chase. Shoot for the same goal; just aim better.

?CBS, with Hawaii Five-0and Mike & Molly, came closer than anyone to genuine success. But the time has come to produce another show people want to talk about ? beyond, of course, talking about one of its show's former stars. Which means, CBS, that if we get another fall packed with procedurals, we won't be talking ? we'll be screaming.

? Fox cartoons always seem to hit. The dramas have done far better than anyone would have imagined. All that's missing is a scripted comedy hit. Here's a benchmark: If the folks in any show you're considering are less amusing than Walter is in Fringe, keep considering.

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