How Nerds Can Save Network TV

Arrested Development tops 11 Points' list

(NEWSER) - Cable dramas and non-sitcom comedies—think Stephen Colbert and Dave Chappelle—grabbed the limelight this decade, but it was still a rich time for sitcoms. 11 Points lists the 11 best.

1. Arrested Development. Needs no explanation—might be the best sitcom in history.
2. 30 Rock. Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, and Alec Baldwin consistently delivering deft social satire, plus "incredibly good and fresh " writing, give NBC a rare highlight.
3. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. A brilliant sitcom that "works even though every single main character is a terrible person."
4. The Office (UK). In just 14 episodes, Ricky Gervais & Co. "had an immeasurable amount of influence on comedy in the 2000s ."

Les Moonves pushing for star's return, says Radar

(NEWSER) - In spite of all his tiger blood-fueled antics and misdemeanors, rumor has it that CBS wants Charlie Sheen back on Two and a Half Men. CBS head honcho Les Moonves has expressed said desire to Warner Bros. Television, the company that produces the show, a "well-placed insider" tells Radar Online . Moonves has reportedly spoken to Chuck Lorre, too, telling him "that he should 'let us handle Charlie,'" the source said. More»

26.6 million tuned in for awards show

(AP) - The Grammys hit a high note in the ratings last night, drawing the show's biggest TV audience in a decade. Preliminary Nielsen figures today show the CBS broadcast attracted 26.6 million viewers, improving on last year's robust audience by 680,000 viewers. The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards was also up by 3% in households over last year's broadcast, and dominated its network rivals last night. More»

Sitcom star will depart after upcoming season

(NEWSER) - Ending weeks of speculation , Steve Carell has confirmed that he'll leave The Office when his contract expires at the end of the 2010-2011 season. "I just think it's time," the sitcom star tells E! "When I first signed on I had a contract for seven seasons, and this coming year is my seventh. I just thought it was time for my character to go." More»

Networks retune their lineup to court young viewers

(NEWSER) - Network TV's big hits—Modern Family, The Cleveland Show, NCIS: Los Angeles—join a pack of losers and losing news: NBC viewership is down 10% among young adults, ABC and CBS have slipped, too, and Eastwick, Hank, and Trauma have already been canceled. The LA Times surveys the playing field, mid-season.

• Comedy rules—kinda: Modern Family has reeled in 10.6 million viewers, but networks are still struggling to find the Friends or Seinfeld of the late aughts.