Web series "quarterlife" bombs in prime time

Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:26AM EST

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The series, created by the makers of "thirtysomething," was a first: a show that debuted on the Web and got picked up by a major broadcast network. But the experiment may be short-lived: "quarterlife" premiered on NBC Tuesday to disastrous ratings, and a second airing looks doubtful.

And when I say disastrous ratings, I'm not exaggerating.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, "quarterlife" eked out a mere 3.1 million viewers during its 10 p.m. airing on Tuesday—the worst ratings NBC has seen in that time slot since 1991. Ouch.

The show has yet to be officially cancelled, THR reports, but sources told the industry daily that the series—a drama about group of young, deep-ish 20-somethings and their vlogs—will probably get the hook before next week.

"Quarterlife" debuted on MySpace back in October (you can watch it right here). Eight-minute snippets were strung together to fill the hour-long prime-time slot on Tuesday. From what I've seen of "quarterlife," it's a slickly produced show, free from shaky camcorders or bad acting -- though it is saddled with a fairly routine plot (young woman vlogs about friends, friends find vlog, friends get mad at young woman).

So, what went wrong? Do made-for-the-Web shows have no chance on network TV?

Series co-creator Marshall Herskovitz blames "quarterlife's" failure on NBC to its "intimate storylines and tight camera angles," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Poor marketing may also have been a factor, although I haven't been watching enough NBC lately to know whether "quarterlife" promos were airing. (Anyone out there see any ads for the show?)

Of course, there's another possibility: Maybe the show just wasn't that good.

Granted, I've only seen the first several Webisodes, but between the stock characters and clichéd plot, I didn't see much that made me want to keep watching. Take a really good Web-based show and air it during prime time, and maybe you'd have something.

That's my opinion, at least. What about you? Any "quarterlife" fans out there want to prove me wrong? Fire away.

Related:
Creator disses 'quarterlife' move to NBC [The Hollywood Reporter]

Comments on Web series "quarterlife" bombs in prime time

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  • 1 Posted by canaan_1977 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think the title limits the audience-- unless you're right around 25 you might right this off as something that is too old or too young for you.....

  • 2 Posted by fluffythemagicelf on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think part of the problem is that most of the people who would have watched this show on TV already saw it online. If they stopped making the webisodes and just showed it on TV I think more people would watch it. Personally though I prefer watching things online rather than on TV. So I say screw NBC and just keep the show going on myspace.

  • 3 Posted by hotflowers_us on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yeah, I'm from an older demographic but still watched it. I was a big fan of "thirtysomething" when it was on and I was in my thirties because I could relate to the characters and the acting was very good with attractive people and their life problems. By the thirties, your life is getting more complex and you have more words in your vocabulary, hopefully (and not a lot of relationship feelings stuttering, as in one scene--change channel came to mind). The trouble with "Quarterlife" (which is probably more suitable to the web, where I plan to watch it) is that the plot is thin, the acting is OK but the characters are kind of stereotypical of struggling wannabe grownups who have no major responsibilities yet (like having children) but have many romantic feelers out (which of course don't match up. Some of them came across as whiney. It did evoke one's twenties, though,and so I say, give it another week!!

  • 4 Posted by fox95630 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    My wife loves The Biggest Loser (NBC) and in a single episode, there were probably half a dozen ads for Quarterlife. Honestly, after enduring the marketing, I have come to despise the show.

  • 5 Posted by melissasvenson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    I liked this show. I'm sick of NBC cancelling shows before giving them a real chance. I was enjoying "Inconceivable" and they gave it 3 episodes. I loved Surface - they did one season I loved Windfall - they also gave that one (summertime) season I chose to boycott any new shows on NBC last season, thus not getting hooked on Heroes, and refuse to bother to try to catch up enough to watch it. Take that, NBC!

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