Our old chum Jeff Zucker over at NBC (pronounced enn-bee-sea) had a big week by anyone’s standards.  The highlight came last night when he appeared in a commercial before My Name is Earl and took a swipe at the writers over the recent bitter strike.  In it, he pointed out to fans that they could watch full episodes online, “preferably within the first 17 days.”  Oooooooh.  This is what we call a nerd-specific-diss, which probably about 3 per cent of the viewing public understood.  For you non-virgins out there, I’ll explain: One of the key issues of the strike was online revenue sharing, with the settlement dictating that writers would get paid for all content viewed online after the 17-day window he referred to.  In other words: you got nerd-served, nerd writers!

And while Zucker is always a brassy and sassy babe, these comments seemed particularly zing-laden, even for the Zuck-man.  The reason for such bravado is that the network just unveiled their new fall lineup, and it is, in two words: guaranteed to satisfy.  Not interested?  Fine, I guess you’re not into dramas about boring old stuff, like King David, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robinson Crusoe and Merlin?  Oh no, of course not.  And I suppose you also wouldn’t be interested in such former celebs as Christian Slater?  Or shows that won’t die like Friday Night Lights?    No, no, it’s fine.  Really.  You’d probably be happier watching a network that doesn’t value bold, original broadcasting the way NBC does.  A network that won’t be watering down its most beloved show, The Office, with a spin-off.

Go on then.  NBC doesn’t need you.  And Jeff Zucker thinks you’re a nerd.