What are the shows and people who will make news in 2006?
Not only do I not know, but I am too cowardly to even hazard a guess.
Predictions are for the brave – which is why I’m presenting this list of five things that could happen – not will happen, mind you – in the new year. OK? Then here goes (but don’t hold me to it):
1. Katie Couric could make a decision about her future. This is probably a sure thing since her contract with NBC is up this spring and she’ll either stay or go.
Whatever she does, I suppose it will be big news, although personally, I couldn’t care less.
Of course, the story will be better if she decides to leave NBC and assume the anchor slot at CBS News since the move would create turmoil in both news divisions.
2. “The Sopranos” could reestablish itself as TV’s best drama. That’s not a sure thing at all.
The only thing we know for sure is that “The Sopranos” is coming back in March, nearly two years after it was last seen.
Meanwhile, episodes from the first season, way back in 1999, have been airing on HBO lately and it is remarkable to rediscover how great this show was back then.
Can it ever be that great again? Probably not, but you know you’ll watch anyway.
3. Struggling NBC could turn a corner with its reconstituted Thursday night comedy lineup. And then again, maybe not. The network seems to be staking its future on “My Name Is Earl,” but the show is surrounded by uncertainty.
“Will & Grace” is a question mark at 8 p.m., the new “Four Kings” at 8:30 could turn out to be a new “Single Guy,” and the audience for “The Office,” now to be seen Thursdays at 9:30, drops off disastrously from “Earl” by one-third.
And there’s no reason to expect that to change once NBC launches its new Thursday slate this week.
4. “Jake in Progress” could emerge as the huge hit John Stamos has dreamed about ever since “Full House” folded.
Yes, it could – but it won’t.
ABC has a handful of new shows coming up as the new midseason gets under way this month, including “Jake,” which didn’t seem to work all that well when the network first introduced it last season.
Moreover, the network’s other new comedy with a high-profile star – “Emily’s Reasons Why Not” starring Heather Graham – suffers already from being saddled with one of the most ungainly titles on TV.
Look for cheeky critics to write things like, “10 Reasons Why Not to Watch ‘Emily.'” And here’s a prediction I will actually stand behind: Should this show catch on, it’s title will inevitably be shortened to “Emily.”
5. Reality shows could actually get dumber.
This one is the surest bet on the whole list.
We are at the point now where virtually any human activity is grist for reality television.
Examples of this already exist on the outer fringes of TV, such as the reality series called “The Gym” on the cable channel known as Fit TV. “The Gym” depicts the real-life workout habits of a group of ordinary gym regulars. On the show, you see them driving to the gym and then chatting with others between and during workouts.
And that’s it.
My suggestions for new reality shows in the coming year: “Smokers,” featuring people who stand outside office buildings smoking; “Moppers,” featuring people who mop up after restaurants and offices close for the night; and “Sleepers,” showing real people caught in the act of sleeping.
Happy New Year.
