NBC Benches STUDIO 60 and 30 ROCK

If there’s one thing I learned from THE WEST WING (aside from the fact that I wish Martin Sheen were President), was that if you have bad news to deliver to the American public, release a press release on Friday afternoon when the media is focused on weekend fun rather then work.

Well fortunately for you [and unfortunately for NBC] theTVaddict never stops working! Subsequently, I’m here today to pass on some bad news for fans of quality television everywhere — specifically fans of STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP and 30 ROCK. According to an NBC press release:

NBC’s new mid-season drama “The Black Donnellys” will premiere on Monday, March 5 (10-11 p.m. ET) — following the hit drama “Heroes” (9-10 p.m. ET) – while the new comedy “Andy Barker, P.I.,” starring Andy Richter, will debut on Thursday, March 15 (9:30-10 p.m. ET), it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” (currently Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET) will return later this season on a date to be determined. “30 Rock” will return to its previous Thursday (9:30-10 p.m. ET) day and time with original episodes on April 19 after “Andy Barker” completes its slate of episodes.

Regardless of the fact that NBC promises that STUDIO 60 will return, the fact that the date is ‘to be determined’ is not a good sign for die hard Aaron Sorkin fans such as myself. Oh how I wish Jordan McDeere were President of the network. (see tshirt!)