NBC Spins Off ‘Friends’ Couch in New Series - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Double D · 08-06-2003, 09:11 AM

Sofa is most beloved element on show, says network president

Aug. 5 — NBC today announced plans to keep its valuable “Friends” franchise alive by spinning off the popular living-room couch from the hit series into its own show for the 2004-5 TV season. NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker said that after extensive research, the network determined that the couch was “the most beloved element” on the long-running comedy series.

“AND UNLIKE DAVID Schwimmer or Matthew Perry, the couch has no delusions about a movie career,” Mr. Zucker added.

The new spin-off, tentatively called “Friends’ Couch,” will have a theme song penned by the pop group The Rembrandts (who also wrote the “Friends”signature song, “I’ll Be There”) entitled, “You Can Sit on Me.”

But even as NBC executives were congratulating themselves on signing the “Friends” couch to a series deal, CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves announced plans to spin off the living room sofa from the hit series “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

“While we would have loved to have signed Ray Romano for another season, we are delirious about the prospects of keeping Ray’s couch in the CBS family for some time to come,” Mr. Moonves said.

The spin-off, entitled “Everybody Loves Raymond’s Couch,” will go head-to-head against the “Friends” couch in fall of 2004, setting up a battle of the network couches.

Mr. Zucker, however, remained unfazed by the challenge from CBS, stating, “The couch on Raymond appeals mainly to older viewers. The 18-34 audience will have their eyes glued to our couch.”

Meanwhile, the cable network Bravo announced plans for a new reality series in which five gay men reupholster a straight man’s sofa.
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Andy Borowitz won the 2001 Dot-Comedy Award for Best Humor Columnist on the Net and is the author of the forthcoming book, ‘Who Moved My Soap? The CEO’s Guide to Surviving in Prison.’ His Web site is www.borowitzreport.com
© 2003 Newsweek, Inc.

ssander9 · 08-09-2003, 03:35 AM

Good one DD

Silvy · 08-09-2003, 03:36 AM

geee, that time of year already?

08-06-2003, 09:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Double D Junkie Location: Chicagoland	NBC Spins Off ‘Friends’ Couch in New Series Sofa is most beloved element on show, says network president Aug. 5 — NBC today announced plans to keep its valuable “Friends” franchise alive by spinning off the popular living-room couch from the hit series into its own show for the 2004-5 TV season. NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker said that after extensive research, the network determined that the couch was “the most beloved element” on the long-running comedy series. “AND UNLIKE DAVID Schwimmer or Matthew Perry, the couch has no delusions about a movie career,” Mr. Zucker added. The new spin-off, tentatively called “Friends’ Couch,” will have a theme song penned by the pop group The Rembrandts (who also wrote the “Friends”signature song, “I’ll Be There”) entitled, “You Can Sit on Me.” But even as NBC executives were congratulating themselves on signing the “Friends” couch to a series deal, CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves announced plans to spin off the living room sofa from the hit series “Everybody Loves Raymond.” “While we would have loved to have signed Ray Romano for another season, we are delirious about the prospects of keeping Ray’s couch in the CBS family for some time to come,” Mr. Moonves said. The spin-off, entitled “Everybody Loves Raymond’s Couch,” will go head-to-head against the “Friends” couch in fall of 2004, setting up a battle of the network couches. Mr. Zucker, however, remained unfazed by the challenge from CBS, stating, “The couch on Raymond appeals mainly to older viewers. The 18-34 audience will have their eyes glued to our couch.” Meanwhile, the cable network Bravo announced plans for a new reality series in which five gay men reupholster a straight man’s sofa. ----------------- Andy Borowitz won the 2001 Dot-Comedy Award for Best Humor Columnist on the Net and is the author of the forthcoming book, ‘Who Moved My Soap? The CEO’s Guide to Surviving in Prison.’ His Web site is www.borowitzreport.com © 2003 Newsweek, Inc.

08-09-2003, 03:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
ssander9 Amplitude Modulator Location: US	Good one DD __________________ I never said you had to.

08-09-2003, 03:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
Silvy paranoid Location: The Netherlands	geee, that time of year already? __________________ "Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace. " - Murphy MacManus (Boondock Saints)