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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.

NBC

What works: Monday, Tuesday 10pm, Wednesday 10pm, Thursday, Friday 8pm, 10p, Sunday 7-10pm.

What't not:  Tuesday 8-10, Wednesday 8pm, Friday 9pm, Saturday, Sunday 10pm.

Some ideas:
Since Sundays at 10pm is going to "Crossing Jordan" in March, there's nothing to say there. As for Tuesday.... NBC has got to prep something to take over for "Frasier," and "Scrubs" ain't it. What is? Well, "Whoppi" is looking good. NBC's problem? Not enough shows to lead off a night. What would best lead-off Tuesday at 8pm? Not "Whoppi." As for Wednesday at 8pm, hey, NBC, ya ever think of "American Dreams" ? Or maybe Fridays at 9pm. A "Dateline" in either slot would do better than what's going on now. As for Saturdays, dump "Tracey Morgan" and go all "Law & Order." it worked last year.

ABC

What works:  Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursday 9-11pm, Friday 10pm, Saturday, Sunday

What't not:  Mondays, Thursday 8pm, Friday 8-10pm. All of the above.

Some ideas:
What's ABC's problem? No break-out shows. Against the onslaught of "American Idol," CBS is doing fine, the WB okay, and even the UPN isn't hurting that much. But ABC is gasping for air. Unfortuantely, there's not much that can be done. It has no magic rabbit to pull out of its hat. None. But there are somethings that can be fixed. ABC has better develope a slate of series for Mondays next season, because nothing it's airing movie-wise is doing anything. While dumping it is really not an option at this point, keeping it for next season would be stupid. As for Thursday at 8pm? There's really not much of an audience out there, well, not much of one that's not watching NBC, CBS, or the UPN. As for Fridays, yes, it is working, but I still stand by switching "George Lopez" and "Hope & Faith." ABC, I know you have fears, but "Hope" is a hit and "George" needs a later timeslot. Sundays is doing okay now with "Home Edition" airing at 8pm, but "The Practice" is not what it should be.

UPN

What works: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays

What't not:  Wednesdays, Fridays

Some ideas:
It's a shame "Model" has to end, because it's the UPN's savior. It's going to go down as the top rated series of the year on either the UPN or the WB, something the UPN hasn't accomplished since the height of "Smackdown!" That said, trying out various reality series Tuesday at 9pm is a good idea. But for Fridays, it's time to get rid of the movies. Heck, stop programming on Fridays alltogether and go for Sundays, it's higher rated. My idea? Program comedies on Fridays. You do it well, UPN, so why not?
 

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