ABC passes on more 'The Mole' editions, series being shopped to other networks - May be good news

realityTVworld.com ^ | 02/24/04 | Variety staffer

[Wright is right!]

In a surprising development, the struggling ABC Network has let its option for future installments of its The Mole reality franchise expire, making the program a "free agent" eligible to be picked up by other broadcast networks.

According to Daily Variety, given the relatively strong ratings performance of the just-completed Celebrity Mole Yucatan edition -- which tied for first in its timeslot in the desirable Adults 18-34 demographic and improved the network's previous time period average by 43% -- the decision befuddled other Hollywood executives.

While at first glance the network's decision to refuse to quickly commit to another Mole edition and allow the option to lapse might seem to bode ill for Mole fans, upon more careful consideration, getting away from ABC -- a network that has mishandled the show for several years now (dating back to its inexplicable Friday night scheduling of Fall 2001's The Mole II: The Next Betrayal and subsequent shelving of the series until Summer 2002) -- might be the best thing that could ever happen to the popular "whodunit" series.

Variety notes that the program's Stone Stanley producers are actively pitching the show to other networks as an "Adults 18-34 magnet" -- with a real possibility that, should another series opt to pick up the series, the new broadcast network would finally authorize what true Mole viewers have been craving for two years now and what ABC refused to do -- approve the filming of a third full-length non-celebrity edition of the show (the dumbed-down celebrity editions are far too easy for true "molerons.")

Regardless of whatever statements ABC executives might make in any attempt to explain their decision (and they wonder why they've been in last place for several years now) other networks found the network's decision to be a bit of a head-scratcher. One rival executive whose considering making a bid for the program told Variety that, given ABC's lack of any major hits, "you'd think they'd be treating that show like it was Dynasty."

[Wright is right!]

The first two "Moles" were thinking-man's reality TV and enjoyed pretty good ratings - but there was a lot of division at ABC over the show's concept. The brass loved the show, the programming department HATED it and did everything it could to kill it off thru poor scheduling. Anderson Cooper, now at CNN, did an excellent job hosting the show and was under contract to host future Moles when CNN offered him his present gig. CNN had to buy out Cooper's contract with Stone-Stanley Productions AND pay Cooper what he would have made on future productions to get him on board for what was, until recently, essentially the job of Roamer Anchor. Or floater. Take yer pick.

CBS is probably a better fit for Mole, already owning Survivor's franchise and The Amazing Race. The question arises as to where they'd put it. One possibility is Thursday nights in between Survivor editions.

One thing is sure - when someone DOES pick it up, theyr'e going to have to find a new host. Ahmad Rashad is nowhere near the host that Anderson Cooper was.

Michael

[FoxInSocks]

in the desirable Adults 18-34 demographic

Does this mean that in a few years I will no longer be desirable? :-(

[Always Right]

Does this mean that in a few years I will no longer be desirable? :-(

Some people become undesirable long before that.

[whereasandsoforth]

It's a known and reliable fact. When you wake up on the morning of your 35th birthday, you are no longer cool and/or desirable. That's just the way it is. Oh, you can pretend and fight it, but you are a fool to do it, and less cool and desirable for the effort.

[Wright is right!]

"Does this mean that in a few years I will no longer be desirable? :-("

Nope, it means that, in a few years, you'll be in the "desireable" 25-54 age demographic. A lot of buys (ad time) are still made buying 25-54. For instance, "Everybody Loves Raymond" is sold to advertisers on the strength of 25-54 numbers. Newscasts are generally sold on that group. So youll still be "desireable."

Michael

[VadeRetro]

When you wake up on the morning of your 35th birthday, you are no longer cool and/or desirable.

I remember now. The 20th anniversary of that horrible day is coming up this year.

[LuigiBasco]

Don't feel too bad. I have been undesirable for the last 38 years and it aint too bad! LOL

Luigi

[Heyworth]

The common wisdom in L.A. is that 40 is the new 27. So there you go. I'm hoping that means 43 will be the new 30.