Small & unworthy? The fact that jackholes like Jeff Zucker don't have the intelligence or courage to develop (or promote or give more than a few episodes to catch on) dramas that capture the viewers imagination, so he appeals to the lowest aspect of diminishing returns & plugs in cheap air time (even the affiliates were against this move until they were threatened to fall in line)-- THAT'S small & unworthy.
This move by NBC has nothing to do w/ quality, the ability of the creative TV community, respect for viewers or even entertainment. It has everything to do w/ saving money for stockholders in the most measly lazy way.
If I weren't an atheist, I would be on my knees every night praying for this crap to fail.
And don't forget, if it succeeds, other networks, because they're just as stupid, could follow suit.

The critics savaged the opening show, but unfortunately the numbers were high. Maybe they will drop like a stone once the curiousity factor is satisfied.

The ratings might have something to do w/ watching the train wreck that is Kanye West (the MTV debaucle). I agree, once the looky-lou's don't find anything interesting, they'll return to their favorite 10:00 dramas.
"Fringe" premieres this Thu. It's going to kill Leno.
What concerns me is the bar has been set so low for Leno, the suits will consider it competitive & worth the $ if it has 5 mil viewers. So it "wins" regardless.
If the #'s are less, though doubtful, then it'll get interesting.

Oops, I misspelled "debacle".

Cable is where all the good TV is being done. FX especially has done some very brave programming.

The Shield was an amazing show, and one if its writers is running his own show now that the Shield is over. Sons of Anarchy is the new show, and it's looking like it might be as good or better than the Shield was.

You absolutely could not do shows like these on the networks.

FYI, as predicted:
Jay Leno's ratings drop notably for second episode
http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/09/leno-tuesday-ratings-.html#more

According to 1 of the most influential Hollywood bloggers, Nikki Finke, the experiment is now considered a failure.
http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/toldja-jay-leno-slips-into-last-place-against-real-competition-not-just-repeats/

Schaudenfreude. I'm so pleased. The truth is that television is better, overall, than most movies, and the networks are just such cowards. They're getting creamed by cable because cable will do innovative shows.

A classic example was the decision to cancel LIFE which was an absolutely terrific show.

My happy dance comes from a rare instance of fairness & good taste triumphant in TV Land. Zucker sold his (creative) community & audience out for the worst reasons for the umpteenth time & it backfired on him. For a guy who continues to fail upwards this is just business as usual. But this could be his Waterloo.
Networks are still getting the larger #'s because it's free, & shows like "LOST" are somewhat unique (Not "FRINGE". Geez, "X-FILES", much?); but given the interest & Emmys going predominantly to cable shows, the paradigm is definitely shifting.

RE: "LIFE". Such a cool show. IMHO, I think it & a few other shows of that season ("Jericho" especially comes to mind) fell victim to the WGA strike, too. There was such enormous viewer fall off. Unfortunately, post strike, new shows just couldn't get back what audience they did generate in a relatively short time.