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Why: I actually started this a year ago, but it quickly fizzed out like so many things on this web site (remember last summer's "The Weakest Link?" I promise an update on that very soon). As other web sites like tv.zap2it.com started their own versions of this (with TVGal, while the.futoncritic.com has always done this), I decided to start this back up again. So for stories I don't think I can write much on, general observations and things that don't really belong under "news," this is the place to be.



The Fall Prospects: CBS    (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)

CBS is arguably in the best shape of all the networks, save the UPN. which only has to fill up 10 hours of programming a week, compared to CBS's 22. With so many young hits shows, so few hurting nights, this fall will bring few surprising moves to the eye. Or will it? The net is looking to diversify its line-up, namely establish another night of sitcoms.

Already Renewed: King of Queens; Yes, Dear; Everybody Loves Raymond; Becker; JAG; Judging Amy; The Guardian; CSI; Survivor V; The District

Sure to be renewed: 60 Minutes, 60 Minutes II, 48 Hours

Not Yet Renewed: Family Law, The Ellen Show, The Agency, First Monday, Touched By An Angel,
Max Bickford

Their Fates: With CSI: Miami-Dade now in the running, none of these dramas are safe. As for "Ellen," you aren't even airing for the rest of the season. You know what that means....

Mondays: "King of Queens" will go on hiatus for a few weeks to make room for "Baby Bob" and... "Yes, Dear." Does CBS have aspirations of moving "King" out for good? The nets has alot of success with this line-up, but with ratings so high, it's got to be looking to its other weaker nights. Only two sitcoms are safe on this night, "Raymond" and either "King" or "Dear." As for "Becker," it's time for this baby to fly on its own. If "Bob" works, look for it at 8:30, with "Dear" on at 8pm. 9:30pm is up for grabs, as is 10pm, but the good thing is, "Raymond" is the second highest rated sitcom on tv- an excellent launching pad for the properly slotted series (unlike "Ellen"). And 10pm? There's an outside chance "Miami-Dade" could wind up here, but there are other nights where it could do more damage. And what about "First Monday?" Shouldn't this air on Mondays?

Tuesdays: If any show gets moved out here, it will be either "Judging Amy" or "The Guardian." Both are doing extremely well, no complaints, but CBS has problems on other nights. In the end, I could see "The Guardian" packing its bags, leaving CBS to find another suitable series to bridge the gap between the polar opposites "JAG" and "Amy." If the eye is so intent on keeping "Family Law" (and it looks like it is), it could wind up at 9pm.

Wednesdays: "60 Minutes II" is likely to stay, its drawing well above 10mil in the slot, some weeks winning. As for 9pm, a repeat "Becker" a few months ago performed well, drawing above 10mil. since it skews older, like "60 Minutes," it could move here for good. 9:30pm could go to anybody, hopefully another older skewing series. As for 10pm, if "The Amazing Race II" takes off, it could go here, or it could even be plugged up by "Family Law" or "48 Hours."

Thursdays: Barring a major disaster in which the entire cast and crew of "CSI" are killed, 8-10pm will remain the same. As for 10pm, its back to the drawing board, "The Agency" just isn't cutting it.

Fridays: Another drawing board night, this is a complete disaster. "King of Queens" could lead-off at 8pm, though it seems like sending another lamb to the slaughter. A good lead out would be another blue collar sitcom, which CBS appears to have in "Two Families," the new Laurie Metcalfe show. To keep with the New York theme, the drama "Queens Supreme" could go in at 9pm. As for 10pm CBS needs something to click. It could be "48 Hours." It could even be the new John Wells medical drama set in San Francisco. Hey, we haven't had a San Francisco based drama airing Fridays at 10pm on CBS in over a season now (remember "Nash Bridges?" Of course you do).

Saturday: The biggest mess of them all, CBS has got to do something to get this line-up to gel. This season's combo of "Touched By An Angel," "That's Life" and "The District" is about as odd as having "Once & Again" air after "The Chair." "Angel" may finally be done, unless CBS is really desperate on this night. "The District" may move back to 9pm, and I could really see "The Agency" going on at 10pm. Now to find a good guy drama to air at 8pm, and we're all set. What about "The Guardian...."

Sundays: "60 Minutes" moving is about as likely as ABC declaring bankruptcy (it's owned by Disney, so that probably wouldn't happen...). As for 8pm? What a better way to kick start this night that to air "CSI: Miami-Dade." The movie is also likely to stay, but look for a more serious slant next season rather than the chick flicks CBS has been increasingly airing.