1600 Penn

HANDICAPPING THE NEW NBC MIDSEASON SERIES

A dysfunctional First Family led by Bill Pullman and Jenna Elfman is the focus of this Modern Family-like sitcom set in the White House. The Book of Mormon star Josh Gad writes, produces, and co-stars as one of the three children. Click on the following for TVMI’s review: http://tinyurl.com/c9k4zy3.

-Time Period: Thursday: 9:30 p.m.
-Lead-in: The Office
-Competition: Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Person of Interest (CBS), Glee (Fox), Beauty and the Beast (CW)

-The Scoop:
Josh Gad in response to a question is if 1600 Penn is “Modern Family goes to the White House”:

“Modern Family has some of the greatest writing we’ve all ever seen. We’re not comparing ourselves to that. We know that we have a long way to go. But there is some of that DNA inherently about this these family dynamics. And I think as the episodes start to come out, you’ll start to see this family become a very fun, cohesive unit that has their foibles, but is absolutely in love with each other and absolutely teaching each other lessons week after week.”

-The Reality:
From a compatibility standpoint, airing out of soon-to-conclude The Office sounds potentially promising. And NBC is known to renew low-rated single-camera comedies it believes in. But ratings for The Office have spiraled downward. Facing Grey’s Anatomy, Person of Interest and Glee is a huge challenge. And the early reviews have not been positive. Although a preview episode of 1600 Penn was sampled by 7.2 million viewers on Monday, December 17 at 9:30 p.m., the lead-in, The Voice, averaged 13.2 million. And The Office is not The Voice, so the battle to succeed will not be easy.

-Odds of Survival for 1600 Penn (Based on 1-1 to 10-1 odds): 7-1