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CBS’s Fall Schedule, AND some “24” News
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fox won’t announce its new fall schedule until Thursday, but it jumped the gun a bit and went ahead and revealed that it has extended the Emmy-winning “24” two additional years, through the 2008-09 season. Better take a vacation now, Jack, while you can….
But Wednesday belonged to CBS. Here’s the story:
Jessica Fletcher has definitely left the building.
Forget homespun fare like “Murder She Wrote.” Even “CSI” seems downright drab compared to CBS’s new fall schedule announced Wednesday.
Gone are predictable sitcoms like “The Class” and that run-of-the-mill nuclear holocaust drama “Jericho.” In are vampires, wifeswapping and a mystery drama where the characters sometimes break out in song and Tony winner Hugh Jackman makes occasional appearances.
“We approached our development this year with a specific goal in mind — to be daring and different,” said CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler.
Indeed, CBS has the fewest schedule holes and potentially the most to lose by altering its game plan. Its solidly predictable lineup of military-oriented dramas and procedurals — including three versions of “CSI” — brings it consistently high ratings, if not lots of buzz.
The network didn’t exactly go crazy, announcing just six new series, including one for midseason. Among its veteran shows, CBS cancelled the Friday legal procedural “Close to Home” and renewed former Mariettan Eric Haney’s Special Forces drama “The Unit,” which will to continue to wage Tuesday night war against “Fox” and “House.” Meanwhile, “Without A Trace” and “Shark” will flop places, with the latter moving from the cushy Thursday post- “CSI” slot to 10 p.m. Sundays.
It’s with its four new dramas where CBS is breaking taboos and taking chances. Biggest among them may be “Viva Laughlin,” the 8 p.m. Sunday saga of a freewheeling businessman (Lloyd Owen), who tries to open a happenin’ casino in rundown Laughlin, Nev. But first he has to deal with a murdered partner and approach his archrival (Jackman) for help. And the characters sing. Right after Andy Rooney signs off each week on “60 Minutes.”
A better, more biting, fit may come on Fridays, when the new drama “Moonlight” will follow “Ghost Whisperer” at 9 p.m. While the latter’s Jennifer Love Hewitt helps the dead cross over, “Moonlight’s” Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin) is an “undead” private investigator who uses his “acute vampire senses” to protect the living.
“Cane” is a somewhat more traditional drama starring Jimmy Smits as the head of a large Cuban-American family and an extremely successful rum and sugar business in South Florida. The stellar cast includes Rita Moreno, Hector Elizondo and Nestor Carbonell. And if it’s untraditional drama you want, just wait ’til midseason, when CBS promises to unveil “Swingtown.” Set in the 1970s, it follows a married couple to an affluent Chicago suburb where the sexual and social revolution is playing out in full, swinging fashion.
Other CBS developments:
“The Big Bang Theory” will air Mondays at 8:30 before “Two and a Half Men.” The sitcom from “Men’s” creator is about two genius type guys (including “Roseanne’s” Johnny Galecki) who are social dunces.
“The Amazing Race” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine” both will return at midseason.
“Survivor” returns at 8 p.m. Thursdays. CBS announced one other new reality show, “Kid Nation” (8 p.m. Wednesdays), in which 40 kids have 40 days to build a new world in a 19th century ghost town.
Other returning shows not already mentioned above: “How I Met Your Mother,” “Rules of Engagement,” “CSI: Miami,” “NCIS,” “Criminal Minds,” “CSI: NY,” “CSI,” “NUMB3RS,” and “48 Hours Mystery.”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By jcti
May 16, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
I guess the networks want to take off everything that I like. First with ABC and ‘What about Brian?.’ Now CBS with Jericho. I never missed an episode. I loved the over dramatic mother with her look of doom every time somebody had news to tell her. Alas, at least I have ‘How I met your Mother’…
That vampire show sounds like a rip off of the Lifetime program ‘Bloodties.’ Since I like that show as well it will probably be cancelled.
By jct
May 16, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
I guess the networks want to take off everything that I like. First with ABC and ‘What about Brian?.’ Now CBS with Jericho. I never missed an episode. I loved the over dramatic mother with her look of doom every time somebody had news to tell her. Alas, at least I have ‘How I met your Mother’…
That vampire show sounds like a rip off of the Lifetime program ‘Bloodties.’ Since I like that show as well it will probably be cancelled.
By jct
May 16, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
I guess the networks want to take off everything that I like. First with ABC and ‘What about Brian?.’ Now CBS with Jericho. I never missed an episode. I loved the over dramatic mother with her look of doom every time somebody had news to tell her. Alas, at least I have ‘How I met your Mother’…
That vampire show sounds like a rip off of the Lifetime program ‘Bloodties.’ Since I like that show as well it will probably be cancelled.
By jct
May 16, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Oops, sorry for the multiple posts…
By ptkdude
May 16, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
The Jericho fans (myself included) are all up in arms over this. From sending packets of nuts to CBS in New York (because they’re NUTS for cancelling Jericho), to submitting reports to CNN via iReporter, they’re getting quite creative. There are reports the CBS switchboard is overrun with calls.
By TRACI
May 17, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
SHARK is the best show on.
Although it started off - really well and the writing - became weak and predicable towards the end of the season. It still was a lot better than beings CSI’d to death (no pun intended!) LOL
James Woods is excellent
By TRACI
May 17, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
SHARK is the best show on.
Although it started off - really well and the writing - became weak and predicable towards the end of the season. It still was a lot better than beings CSI’d to death (no pun intended!) LOL
James Woods is excellent
By sdr
May 17, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
CBS’s cancellation of Jericho seems a poorly thought out move. While they state that the show lost viewers while on winter hiatus, many of thos viewers returned. Rather than cancelling it, how about giving it a 2nd chance next year and alter the schedule so that it does not have a hiatus… seems that you might want to tweak the formula before you just throw it out. I would have re-watched the entire season over the summer just to keep caught up. I am so disappointed!
By D.S.
May 17, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
This makes two years in a row that a network has screwed with a hot new show only to end up cancelling it after a very promising start. Last year it was ABC and Commander in Chief, now this year it’s CBS and Jericho. I’m really not clear on why we have to continue to pay for a network’s mistakes.
Here’s a suggestion — how about not outsmarting yourselves and forcing a midseason hiatus? That strategy almost killed Lost and Heroes as well.
I really think a major mistake was made by cancelling Jericho.
By Dave
May 17, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Jericho fans unite
The effort to save Jericho or to have a cable network revive it is underway. Online petitions are circulating. Phone calls, emails and snail mails to CBS are organizing. Jericho fans are also being encouraged to mail bags of nuts (a reference to the season -series?- finale) to CBS offices. CBS bears some responsibility for the ratings drop largely a result of their reckless scheduling.
By Renee
May 23, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
Like nuts? Go to CBS headquarters in NYC. Yesterday they received more than ONE TON of them from disgruntled JERICHO fans. More than TWICE that is headed there today. And the totals keep on climbing. www.nutsonline.com www.jericholives.com check it out!
By Lynn
May 23, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
Sorry, Jill, but Jericho is hardly a run-of-the-mill nuclear holocaust drama. Unlike untold millions of people, you must not have watched it too much. CBS exec Nina Tassler is a woman out of control. She has caused major damage to CBS’ reputation and reliability by, fairly flippantly, cancelling Jericho. To use the antiquated Neilsons to validate her hasty decision is frankly irresponsible. She is more expendable than this show. How difficult and costly is it to build up a fan base this large?
By Kimberley Powell
May 23, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
CBS made a poor move cancelling Jericho. I honestly don’t know what they were thinking, but they have to know what we are now thinking. 4000 lbs of nuts shipped to CBS headquarters yesterday. 4000 lbs shipped today. The count for tomorrow is already over 1000 lbs in only about 2 hours. We want Jericho back! We don’t want an awful reality show. We want JERICHO. We don’t want a 2 hour wrap up. We want JERICHO the series. I have not watched anything on CBS since the news came out, and I will not watch anything on CBS until Nina Tassler/Les Moonves/Kelly Kahl are fired if they choose to ignore the fans! To help with our effort, visit www.savejericho.info
By Therese Marcel
May 23, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
http://www.jericholives.com/ http://www.nutsonline.com/jericho NUTS TO CBS. Save jericho
By Jenna
May 23, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
I’m frustrated with shows being cancelled. For years they’ve been doing it to us. You find a great show and then they pull the rug out from under you. When CBS cancelled Jericho, I felt like it was time I spoke up, along with millions of other viewers. As viewers we need to stick together and let the networks know that we are the ones who count here, we are tired of reality tv garbage.
By Linda W
May 23, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
Iagree that CBS made a poor choice when they cancelled Jericho. We do want it back in a series and not a 2 hr enging or a Mini-series. The show is great. It is compelling and compassionate. There was a This may have been a TV story but if you stop and think real hard, it could happen. And what would you do if it did. This show sparked so much talk and emotions between people on the CBS.com board it was great. Now I want it back CBS. Nothing short of a season will do.
By Ellen
May 23, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
Jericho is by far not a humdrum show. If it was there wouldn’t be the uproar there is now. NUTS CBS http://youtube.com/watch?v=yoxePewKK8o
CBS is getting tons of nuts as a huge protest, not to mention millions of web posts in protest.
By Judi Massey
May 23, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
This is and will continue to be the best tv show ever. If the strong showing of support by the sincere fans isn’t enough to show them how much we mean business, then I guess my devotion was misguided. At least to CBS not Jericho. I will follow Jericho wherever it goes.
By Cindy S.
May 23, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
I am very upset at CBS for cancelling Jericho. Please join our fight to get this wonderful show back on the air for another season. You can help Save Jericho by signing the peition, sending “Nuts” to CBS offices, sending letters, emails, etc. Visit www.jericholives.com for more information. Please CBS, BRING BACK JERICHO!
By Clifford Treend
May 23, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
If this was just another mediocre CBS show, it would not have the outpouring of support that it has received since CBS foolishly canceled it. Our family feels as though this was the only good offering CBS has, and that next season’s lineups are just more of the same reality tripe and CSI: Mobile. In fact, 46 of my friends and family members are boycotting both our local and regional CBS affiliates over this, as well as disconnecting their Showtime services…a CBS owned business.
All of this for a mediocre TV show? I think not!
By Tony
May 23, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
Real bad choice CBS!..Jericho was a show our whole famuly enjoyed and it was far from a run of the mill show as Jill has stated..Bring back JERICHO !
Tony
By Linda
May 23, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Nothing less than a 2ND SEASON will do it justice for the biggest mistake CBS has made in years. GO Jericho Rangers!!!
By Therese Marcel
May 24, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
http://www.nutsonline.com/jericho-media-alert.doc being deleivered to day and donated to help the troops
By Jane
May 24, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this
NJ FAMILY BUSINESS NUTSONLINE WILL DELIVER OVER 4000 POUNDS OF PEANUTS TO CBS HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK IN CONTINUATION OF MASSIVE GRASSROOTS INTERNET CAMPAIGN 12,535 pounds of nuts ordered to date in largest viewer protest in history. A grassroots Internet-based protest is rapidly escalating against CBS’s cancellation of Jericho. Irate, creative viewers from all around the world have mobilized to send tens of thousands of peanuts to CBS executives, telling them, “CBS is NUTS!” www.jericholives.com
By me
May 24, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
Anyone who has teenagers know how little they like to talk to parents. But Jericho changed that. My kids would talk to me daily about things that happened on the show, ask my opinion, thoughts on plots, twist and turns. We couldn’t wait for the next show to see how it would turn out. Now, we have pulled even closer together to send emails, call, snail mail and NUTS! CBS has ticked off our entire family in and out of GA. We’re not giving up and I doubt any of the other million fans will be soon. Can’t wait to see the ad in Variety and the massive shipment on Tuesday! well… I off to order more NUTS for CBS
By Renee
May 29, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Hey Jill (and the rest of the AJC bloggers/reporters): I keep searching the AJC for an article on the largest fan protest in television history only to be disappointed day in and day out. The protest by Jericho fans has been covered in the NY TIMES, LA TIMES, CNN, and almost every major and minor news outlet across the country (tv, print and online). The fans of Jericho cover the globe from here in the states to Germany, the UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, and Mexico (just to name a few). But still NOTHING has been mentioned in the AJC. The fans of Jericho have paid for a full page ad in Variety magazine and the Hollywood Reporter (that’s THOUSANDS of dollars) and as of this morning have purchased over $35,000 worth of NUTS to send to CBS executives. That’s almost 26000lbs! Today UPS is delivering 2 TONS of nuts and the crew from NutsOnline is delivering ANOTHER 5 TONS!
I do not understand the AJC’s choice to continue to ignore this story! It is unprecedented! Educate yourselves go to www.nutsonline.com and www.jericholives.com and see for yourself what you are missing out on.
By Renee
May 29, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
OH! Watch your AP wire. They are covering the big nut drop today.
www.nutsonline.com www.jericholives.com
By Tom_Ga
May 29, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
A Show Not to Watch Next season CBS plans to replace “Jericho” with “Kid Nation,” a reality-TV show where 40 kids, ages 8 to 15, live in the desert with no adult supervision.
Read what Variety thinks about KN and get the facts
Now tell CBS what you think: Visit: www.jericholives.com and www.jerichorallypoint.com
Email: Ms. Nina Tassler, President CBS Entertainment nina.tassler@cbs.com
Mr. Kelly Kahl, Sr. Exec.VP for Programming kelly.kahl@cbs.comBy Tom_Ga
May 29, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
Join Thousands of Others Who are Telling CBS to Return to Quality Programming
Does the cancellation of “Jericho” matter to you? Do you want to let CBS know that they have made a great mistake? Or would you rather settle for more of the same, mindless, valueless, reality-tv tripe CBS tells you to watch? Do you want to make a difference in the future of Television and have some control over programming? Then join the effort to convince CBS that “Jericho” is the high-quality, values-oriented programming that you want to see.
Find out more at: Jericho.com and Jerichorallypoint.com
And send CBS some NUTS!!! at: JerichoNuts.com
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN FOR QUALITY TELEVISION
JOIN THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW
TELL CBS TO BROADCAST QUALITY PROGRAMMING THAT THE VIEWERS WANT
TELL CBS TO BRING BACK “JERICHO.”
By sheryl
May 30, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
CBS is trying to be “daring and different” to me translates to “trashy and sleezy”. We want/need quality TV programming that we can watch with our families!! My family found Jericho to be an entertaining and interesting program that had appeal for every memeber of our family. We invested 22 hours of our lives to being entertained by CBS then they pull the plug on 9 million (Plus those not counted on other media forms. ie innertube, itunes, tivo etc.) loyal viewers! Come on CBS…show some loyality in return. Until CBS returns a full season of Jericho to the fall schedule my family says NUTS to CBS!