Network projects reflect economic woes

January 06, 2009 During the economic crisis of 1970s, television was ruled by procedural dramas, variety shows and socially relevant comedies. Now, as the country is suffering the steepest economic downturn since then, primetime is still ruled by crime procedurals and the descendants of the old-fashioned variety shows, music and dance-themed reality series. There is a promising entry in the arena: an untitled comedy starring Kelsey Grammer and written by "Everybody Loves Raymond" exec producer Tucker Cawley.

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