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Fixing the Line-Ups
With the season more than half over and February sweeps bombaring us at every turn, I've decided to take a look at each network and try to fix them. Mind you, some don't need fixing, but hey, I've got to write something.

Fox

What works: Mondays at 9pm, Tuesday 8pm, Wednesday, Saturday.

What't not: Monday at 8pm, Tuesdays at 9pm, Thursday, Friday, Sunday

Some ideas:
Fox has got some solid shows, as far as the critics are concerned, but not alot seems to be working right now. Outside of "Idol," "The OC" "That 70s Show, "the Simpsons" and "Fiance," Fox is really a mess. Hey Fox, why not go back to your drama roots on Sundays at 9pm with "24." The show is obviously not working on Tuesdays anymore and it's a shame to let that "Idol" lead-out fritter away. To replace it? Why not some younger skewing shows, for instance "Malcolm In The Middle." I know moving an old show is not reccomended, but it seems like a better fit with "Idol." Maybe follow that up with "Oliver Beene" and air "Simpsons" repeats Sundays at 7pm. As for Thursdays and Fridays, there's not much you can do and nothing has ever worked, really. Your patience with "Tru Calling" is not having any benefits, but your reality duo on Fridays is doing okay, sort of. On Thursdays at 8pm, repeats of your comedies, different once every week, would probably work better.

WB

What works: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Sundays (all sort of)

What't not:  Fridays 8:30-10, Thursdays 8:30-10

Some ideas:
The WB is down dramatically over last season, but what can it do? It's shows are performing badly, but all equally badly (save Charmed). Really, there's nothing the network can do. But on Thursdays, black led shows like "All About The Andersons" and "Steve Harvey" are carving out a small, but solid audience, so why not move "Like Family" to 9pm and follow that up with another black-led sitcom. Hey, if the UPN can do it.... As for Fridays, dump "What I Like About You" already, move the MIA "JKX" into 9:30pm (the weakest slot) and come up with something new for 8:30pm, preferably something in the tone of "Reba." That' the problem with the WB's sitcoms: they have no flow. "what I Like About You" right after "Reba" ? Frog execs, have you not watched both of these shows? The are like oil and water.

CBS

What works: Mondays, Tuesdays 8pm, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 8-10pm, Sundays

What't not:  Tuesdays 9-11pm, Fridays 10pm, Saturdays

Some ideas:
Some will argue that there's nothing wrong with CBS's Tuesday line-up, but I beg to differ. It's down significantly over last season and skews the oldest of all of CBS's night, save Saturdays. The upcoming "Century City" might fix that, but I doubt it. Why not move over-the-hill "Judging Amy" to Fridays at 10pm where the competition is less intense an the possibility for winning wide open and try out "The Guardian" in the hour. I know you're antsy CBS about losing on the night because you did for so long, but your line-up is stagnant on the night and needs some stirring. As well, "Judging Amy" on Fridays would seal the deal for CBS. As for Saturdays, what can be done? "The District" is a give-in at 10pm, but why not air a repeating rotation of your dramas at 9pm? You've got "CSI" "CSI Miami," "Without A Trace," "Cold Case" winning and they all repeat very well. Mr. Bruckheimer, you're a god.
 

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