For 11 days of the Annual Television Critics Association press tour (July 15-25), the networks waxed hyperbolic on how their shows will redefine the sitcom/cop show/reality genre. Wait, didn't we hear the same things last year about The Michael Richards Show/Big Apple/The Mole? Yep. Here were some of this year's more noteworthy moments.
-- At an NBC event, Friends cocreator David Crane optimistically said: ''We feel like the show has a lot more years in it, ninth season and beyond. We don't feel like we're telling the same jokes over and over again.'' But Lisa Kudrow has said the Friends don't plan to renew their contracts. Looks like they won't be there for him after next May.
-- With John Stamos' Thieves on ABC up against The WB's Raising Dad with Bob Saget on Friday nights, who will win the battle of the Full House-mates? Barring an Olsen twins intervention, it's anyone's time slot, although Stamos may have the ultimate tiebreaking stunt. ''We could have a Jesse and the Rippers reunion,'' he joked. Meanwhile, Dave Coulier still sits by the phone.
-- The WB's day opened with withering stand-up from publicist Keith Marder, targeting Buffy inheritor UPN (''stands for the Used Parts Network'') and ex-Charmed star Shannen Doherty's recent DUI charges (''The last time she got that drunk, she did 10 days of marriage with Ashley Hamilton''). Then the laughs stopped...with presentations of the net's new sitcoms Maybe It's Me and Men, Women & Dogs.
-- Rick Schroder's NYPD Blue replacement (and fellow former teen throb) Mark-Paul Gosselaar should have no problem adjusting to his side arm. At the ABC party, the Saved by the Bell alum admitted, ''I own a gun and I've always been a sport shooter.'' Do you feel lucky, Screech? Well, do ya?!
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