Dexter and Weeds on network TV? It could happen if the writers' strike goes on long enough, according to CBS president Les Moonves.
Moonves said Tuesday that CBS could bring some Showtime shows onto the network to round out the midseason schedule during the strike. Dexter would be the first show to get a CBS tryout because it would fit well with the network's many other crime series, Moonves said. Other Showtime series, including Weeds and The Tudors, are also up for consideration.
On the one hand, this could turn into a positive side of the strike: more people getting to see quality Showtime shows without waiting for the DVD or mooching off a friend who subscribes to the channel. But on the other hand, I can hardly imagine how heavily something like Weeds would have to be edited for broadcast in a primetime network slot. It worked OK when Sex and the City moved to TBS, I suppose, but at least that was still cable.
Would a watered-down network version of Weeds or Dexter be worth watching? I suppose I'd prefer that to yet another ridiculous reality show, even if the shows weren't up to their original standard once they were edited. What about you?
Photo courtesy of Showtime
I'll stick to Netflixing them. I love what I've seen so far of Weeds and I can't wait to get around to Dexter, but I prefer to see them in their original state. It's certainly a good idea though, and I prefer it to the reality crap.