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.
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