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.
What they do? Talk
about it on the
message
board!
|