David E. Kelley's Quirky Drama Survived Four Seasons In TV's Friday Night Death Slot
This small-town CBS drama had every reason to flop in the infamously tricky Friday night death slot, but it thrived there for four seasons instead.
David E. Kelley's quirky drama, "Picket Fences," defied expectations and thrived in television's notoriously challenging Friday night death slot. Despite being slated for a Friday evening slot, the series managed to build a loyal audience over its four-season run from 1992 to 1996. The network's placement of the show in the 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. time block presented a unique challenge, as viewers were more likely to be engaged in post-work activities during those hours.
However, "Picket Fences" managed to maintain respectable ratings throughout its run, despite not topping the charts. The show's impressive 27 Emmy Award nominations, including 14 wins, attested to its quality. Notable performances by actors like Tom Skerritt, Kathy Baker, Fyvush Finkel, and Ray Walston, along with Kelley's storytelling prowess, contributed to the show's enduring appeal.
The recognition and critical acclaim ultimately helped "Picket Fences" avoid the perilous Friday night death slot, solidifying its place in television history. Unfortunately, as of the time of this report, "Picket Fences" is no longer available for free streaming, causing it to fade from public consciousness.
Written by urgent.news from TVLine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
