Fox Station Group and the “Laughs” Comedy Program
“Laughs” is a comedy show airing on the Fox TV Station Groups for a limited summer “test” run. Many comedians are upset that they are not paying comedians, which is a whole ‘nother topic.
I think another angle to consider, beyond this program, is that here is a major station group looking to develop their own projects. This is not the network, but the group of stations Fox owns across the country.
You used to have to be able to clear (i.e. sell your show to enough stations) 75-90 percent of the country to get a new show on the air in syndication. The failure rate on that model is very high now, so they are looking for new ideas. This is one way they are trying to find new shows. If you have an idea for a show, now is good time to pitch it because they are hurting for good ideas.
In a way, this is a return to the beginnings of TV. If you are an old fart like me, you may remember the old Mike Douglas show. It started as a dirt-cheap talk show in Philly. But it proved itself, and went national. Fox is essentially trying the same thing.
As broadcast audiences continue to erode and fragment, they will be more open to your show ideas because they need fresh talent and concepts more than any time in history.
Don’t wait to be asked to be on a show. Develop a project around your strengths and sell it. If you can sell yourself to tough audiences at biker bars in Florida, TV execs are a snap.
