NBC Reveals Why It Passed On MOCKINGBIRD LANE; May Reboot MUNSTERS Again Someday

NBC Reveals Why It Passed On MOCKINGBIRD LANE; May Reboot MUNSTERS Again Someday

NBC's Bob Greenblatt explains the reasons why the network passed on The Munsters reboot series Mockingbird Lane, despite the pilot getting decent ratings.

By PaulRom - Jan 06, 2013 12:01 PM EST
Filed Under: NBC
Source: Deadline


A few days ago, it was confirmed that NBC has passed on its controversial Munsters reboot Mockingbird Lane, despite the pilot getting decent ratings when it aired on the network in October. At TCA, NBC chief Bob Greenblatt reveals exactly why the reboot didn't go to series. "We just decided that it didn’t hold together well enough to yield a series," he said. "It looked beautiful and original and creative, but it just all ultimately didn’t come together…, it just didn’t ultimately creatively all work. We felt great about that cast [Jerry O’Connell, Portia de Rossi, Eddie Izzard and Charity Wakefield]. But we tried to make it not just a sitcom. We tried to make it an hour, which ultimately has more dramatic weight than a half-hour. It’s hard to calibrate how much weirdness vs. supernatural vs. family story. I just think we didn’t get the mix right." While the network has passed on Mockingbird Lane, it appears that bringing The Munsters back again isn't out of the question. "I won’t say we won’t do another version of The Munsters again," says Greenblatt. Do you want to see another Munsters series?









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MisterBabadook
MisterBabadook - 1/6/2013, 1:13 PM
It was a great cast, the problem was NOT calling it the Munsters, NOT marketing it as "Not your parent's Munsters", and not blasting every billboard. From the episode I watched, I liked it. Then again, I hardly watch anything on TV anymore.
Reasonnnn
Reasonnnn - 1/6/2013, 1:18 PM
Please don't.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 1/6/2013, 1:18 PM
NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SHOW.....REBOOTING IT AGAIN IS A STUPID STUPID IDEA.
TonyChu
TonyChu - 1/6/2013, 1:26 PM
NBC can't keep a good show to save their lives.
TonyChu
TonyChu - 1/6/2013, 1:30 PM
Actually I should say they don't know how to treat their good shows. They are either canceled too early or they just run the shows way past their lifespan.
IwasGroot
IwasGroot - 1/6/2013, 1:39 PM
I think it had everything to do with the fact that it sucked so so bad! Nothing good about it at all! They're using the nicest, most diplomatic way of saying that's why they passed on it. Just awful!
devil
devil - 1/6/2013, 1:40 PM
make a movie of it what it sould be from the classic tv show
DRMidNite
DRMidNite - 1/6/2013, 1:47 PM
Not really.
WelcomeBackFrank
WelcomeBackFrank - 1/6/2013, 1:53 PM
Just make new shows. Hire some actual creative people or writers such as myself or some of us. We could churn straw into gold easily for these hacks. Enough of everything needing to be rebooted or remade. Don't get me wrong, some needed to and others turned out more successful and better than the originals, but why can't we let dogs lie?
Optimus83
Optimus83 - 1/6/2013, 2:42 PM
I WANT THE REAL MUNSTERS. ...NOT MONCKING BIRD LANE
Toxin
Toxin - 1/6/2013, 3:19 PM
Maybe they should concider doing yearly specials or a 5-6 episode mini series.
Tomontherun99
Tomontherun99 - 1/6/2013, 3:21 PM
@LEVITIKUZ Sanford and Son is a reboot, it's based on a British show called Steptoe and Son
TheOneAboveAll
TheOneAboveAll - 1/6/2013, 3:24 PM
"looked beautiful and original and creative" that is why they hated it
Ichaos
Ichaos - 1/6/2013, 4:02 PM
@Tomontherun99 just because one show steals the majority of the ideas of another doesn't make it a reboot. It makes it business as usual
Ichaos
Ichaos - 1/6/2013, 4:04 PM
The Munster pilot was pretty decent even though they "updated it for a modern audience" by turning it into the Addams Family. As for the show not working creatively as a series thats complete BS. its a reboot/remake/reimagine. They re-made it because it was proven to work as a series in its first incarnation
Ichaos
Ichaos - 1/6/2013, 4:06 PM
@TheRedHood Our lives are better with ANYTHING that takes the place a "reality" or "talent" show might have taken.
zapped
zapped - 1/6/2013, 6:51 PM
It didn't work because the Munsters are supposed to be monsters that live in our world. NBC ruined Heroes and The Cape. I hope Revolution doesn't turn to crap either. The New Addams Family they had on a few years ago was ok but I don't think NBC did that.
HaroldOfGalactus
HaroldOfGalactus - 1/6/2013, 6:53 PM
lies.

Its on Hulu, it was actually not half bad. The problem NBC had was the budget. the show would have cost a lot to make with the rather realistic visuals of the werewolf and vampire transformations, and cutting Oconnel open and giving him open heart surgery every week.

NBC wants something they can spend next to nothing on, and make bookoos back. Also why Heroes fell by the wayside, even though the fourth seasons ratings were steadily climbing back.
Promoman
Promoman - 1/6/2013, 6:54 PM
LEVITIKUZ

Actually Sandford and Son was a reboot sort of. It was based on a UK tv show.
VanthDreadstar
VanthDreadstar - 1/6/2013, 10:27 PM
Reboot All in the Family. See how long Archie Bunker 2013 lasts. The network would burn down.
Polygame
Polygame - 1/7/2013, 1:13 AM
so basically, they ran out of steam after the first episode. That sums it up
Sheldon131
Sheldon131 - 1/7/2013, 4:50 AM
Eddie Izzard was awesome!!
comicb00kguy
comicb00kguy - 1/7/2013, 10:41 AM
Why not try something radical like coming up with some original ideas? Taking something that was light-spirited and fun and turning it all dark and ugly doesn't work. That's why I watch so little TV anymore. Most of what is on that isn't a crappy "reality" or talent show is dark, ugly, and mean. I get all the dark, ugly, and mean I can handle out of daily adult life or watching the news. I like watching something that takes me away from the real world for a little while to a happier place- or at least something that doesn't insult my intellgence.
Optimist18
Optimist18 - 1/9/2013, 4:03 PM
I don't particularly care about the topic of the article, but let me remind everyone: NEW/ORIGINAL IDEAS ARE UNPROVEN ON A FINANCIAL LEVEL, THEREFORE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO MILK PROVEN CONCEPTS. PLUS, THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF ORIGINAL IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT FORTH THAT DIDN'T TAKE. SO MAYBE IT'S THE PEOPLE AND NOT THE CONCEPTS THAT ARE THE PROBLEM...
HaroldOfGalactus
HaroldOfGalactus - 1/10/2013, 4:01 AM
Mockingbird lane was not dark or gritty. it was light hearted and a bit sappy in some of Jerry's dialogue.
brittbritt2191
brittbritt2191 - 4/18/2013, 1:29 PM
I wasn't born in the time of the Munsters but I picked it up along with the Adams family and I loves them both every since I am 21 now and I always wanted some one to come up with a new series based on both shows I was looking through hulu to find something to watch and found mockingbird lane I watched it a loved it the only think I didn't like was there was no more episodes. In today's times its all about vampires, werewolves, the weird, and unexplaind, people love that kinda stuff and would love to see that on TV I know I would and I know so many people that would so air it before some one else does.
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