FCC Pulls Plug on Nick at Nite after According to Jim Acquisition

NEW YORK—In a blow to sitcom repeats spanning several generations, the Federal Communications Commission revoked Nick at Nite’s programming license on Friday after the network purchased the rights to ABC sitcom According to Jim.

“Nickelodeon clearly has no barometer when it comes to classic television, or common decency for that matter,” remarked FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin.

Nick at Nite, the Nickelodeon channel’s primetime and overnight block, has gradually shifted from airing nostalgic favorites such as Andy Griffith and I Love Lucy in favor of more current fare.

“First it was the Coach marathons as part of their ‘Block Party Summer’ a few years ago,” Martin continued. “Then back-to-back episodes of Wings surfaced weeknights at nine last fall. But we will not turn a blind eye to eight insufferable seasons of the antics of Jim Belushi and company masquerading as quality programming.”

Nickelodeon has not settled on a long-term plan for its late night programming. In the meantime, outtakes from Zoey 101 and Drake & Josh will run on a continuous loop.