CBS to launch Wednesday comedy block and two new dramas for fall
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- May
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Given that CBS had already dumped last season’s duds like “Viva Laughlin” and “Cane,” the ax didn’t fall on too many series for next fall.
The one cancellation that’s causing the most screams is “Moonlight,” the vampire series that had a rabid, cult following. James Woods’ “Shark,” got dumped, too, but not many folks seem to be weeping over that loss.
Mostly, CBS held onto its current series, including freshman “The Big Bang Theory” and mainstays like “Without a Trace” and “Cold Case.”
Of course, there was never any doubt over the return of the CSI franchise, or a hit like “Two and a Half Men.”
But CBS did renew “How I Met Your Mother” (guess that Britney Spears stunt worked) and “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” which were both in limbo.
Those I can justify. What I can’t is the renewal—even as a midseason replacement—of “Rules of Engagement.” (I had no idea David Spade was currently employed. I also don’t know a single soul who watches that show.)
Anyway, “Christine” will kick off a new night of comedy for CBS on Wednesdays, leading into the new Jay Mohr sitcom “Project Gary,” about a recently divorced painting contractor.
The other yuk-fests will air on Mondays, including another newbie “Worst Week,” about an entertainment magazine editor who can’t please his girlfriend’s conservative parents.
As for new dramas, the following four made the cut:
• “ELEVENTH HOUR,” a thriller from producer Jerry Bruckheimer about a government advisor (Rufus Sewell) who investigates scientific oddities. (How “X-Files.”)
• “THE MENTALIST,” starring Simon Baker as a celebrity psychic who uses his abilities to solve crimes. Robin Tunney plays his skeptical police partner. (Uh, “X-Files” meets John Edward?)
• “THE EX LIST,” a sexy comedic drama about a 30-something woman who searches her past relationships to find her future husband. (I haven’t seen a second of this, but I’m always wary of any show description that uses the word “sexy.” Except for “Sex and the City,” it’s generally not been a good sign.)
• “HARPER’S ISLAND,” which will air mid-season, is a mystery that unfolds as friends and family attend week-long festivities at a destination wedding on a secluded island off the coast of Seattle, which a murderous rampage occurred seven years ago. (Sounds quite Agatha Christie-esque, I’m intrigued…)
Click through for the CBS schedule in its entirety, with days and timeslots…
CBS TELEVISON NETWORK
2008-2009 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
(N=New, NT=New Time, all times ET/PT)
MONDAY
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY
8:30-9:00 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
9:00-9:30 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN
9:30-10:00 PM WORST WEEK (N)
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: MIAMI
TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM THE MENTALIST (N)
10:00-11:00 PM WITHOUT A TRACE (NT)
WEDNESDAY
8:00-8:30 PM THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE (NT)
8:30-9:00 PM PROJECT GARY (N)
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: NY
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR
9:00-10:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
10:00-11:00 PM ELEVENTH HOUR (N)
FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM GHOST WHISPERER
9:00-10:00 PM THE EX LIST (N)
10:00-11:00 PM NUMB3RS
SATURDAY
8:00-9:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
10:00-11:00 PM 48 HOURS MYSTERY
SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE
9:00-10:00 PM COLD CASE
10:00-11:00 PM THE UNIT (NT)
(Photos courtesy of CBS)
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 at 4:03 pm by Heather Salerno.
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The Big Bang Theory is a great show.
Rules of Engagement sucks. It's hard to find the most annoying member of the cast, David Spade or Puddy from Seinfeld. I'd say it was a tie.