The 2005 Prime Time TV Fall Lineups: CBS

Since we are going to talk about CBS and what will be on the Prime Time slate at the network, I just want to remind you that have some MORE Newsweek Gate readings following this post on CBS's fall lineup.

Now on with this CBS fall prime time post:

The ever famous Tiffany Network (whatever that means) has reclamed the number one spot in the "Amazing" Network Race (pun intended) in most places.

While struggling to find shows that would attract the 18-49 demo in the 1990's along with losing affliates to FOX as well. CBS always did attract older demos and was challanged when it comes of trying to go young. The 1990's was not the first time. Remember when CBS was moving away from TV shows in the early 1970's that promoted the rual American (Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, even Hee Haw) in the 1970's??? Someone named Norman Lear came along and helped CBS accomblish their goal starting with All in the Family.

Getting back to the 21st Century however...

CBS finally hit pay dirt with shows that attact those young demos. Those shows include the game operas Survivor, and The Amazing Race. The CSI brand also has brought in the young demos as well. Thursdays are right now the strongest link for CBS with Survivor, CSI: Las Vegas, and Without A Trace.

Yesterday's ad in the Gray Lady (New York Times) by CBS is full of bragging rights.

Number 1 with adults 18-49

Number 1 with adults 25-54

Number 1 Upscale 25-54

Number 1 Viewers

Most Top 10 and Top 20 shows.

However FOX accually gets the honor of the 18-49 demos in certain areas because it had the Super Bowl this year.

Neverless CBS has reclamed their crown. The challange never ends however and they must defend their crown from the three main rivals (ABC, FOX, NBC).

First of all 60 Minutes has been canned...The Wednesday night one that is. The old Sunday night standby will keep "Ticking"(pun intended)

Raymond is gone but CBS is commited to sitcoms on Mondays. "King of Queens" is moving back to Mondays to kick things off and "Two and a Half Men" also stays on Monday nights, but will take Raymond's time slot. They shall be greating two new sitcoms. One is called ""How I Met Your Mother" and yes this is a sitcom based on flashbacks...I'd be surprised if this one lasts. It stars Neil Patrick Harris ("Stark Raving Mad," "Doogie Howser, M.D.") and Alyson Hannigan ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Bob Saget (Full House) will narrate the flashbacks.

The other show is called "Out of Practice" which puts Henry "The Fonz" Winkler back in front of the camera after his failure with "Monty" on FOX about a decade back. Crime Drama CSI:Miami wraps up the Monday night lineup. "Listen Up" with Seinfeld's Jason Alexander by the way is gone.

Tuesdays will be devoted to more NCIS and two more races around the world on The Amazing Race. The one Race coming this fall will involve families in teams of four. Judging Amy however has been canceled in spite of good ratings (but not with the 18-49 crowd), and will be replaced with a Jerry Bruckheimer project called Close to Home and stars Jennifer Finnigan who is coming out of NBC's sitcom bomb "Committed." Pior to that Finnigan made a few apperances on NBC's Crossing Jordan, and before that she protrayed Bridget Forrester on the CBS daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful. During her years on B&B (2000-2004) she has won the Daytime Emmy for Best Young Actress three years straight. Sort of a homecomming for Finnigan. For her sake I hope it lasts.

On Wednesdays the first hour of prime time will be devoted to sitcoms. Still Standing will kick things off on its new day followed by "Yes Dear" which CBS does not really like (or so I heard) but still pulls in decent numbers. Up next are two crime dramas. The first one is called "Criminal Minds" which is co-production of Viacom and Disney. In this show the FBI profiles the most twisted criminal minds thus the title. The main players have an area of expertise. The other Crime Drama is CSI: NY which returns for a second season.

Thursdays will remain the same with Survivor, CSI, and Without a Trace which has become the "Must See TV" of the moment, and the strongest night for CBS.

Fridays will have shows with supernatural themes and Sci-Fi and man it seems that the networks is trying some kind of Sci-Fi. We shall find out what FOX and UPN come up with on Thursday. FOX for sure has some supernatural themed shows for sure.

However that will not include "Joan of Arcadia" which has been canned for its buzz to bust run of two years. Instead Jennifer Love Hewitt will star in a equivalent of NBC's hit drama Medium called "Ghost Whisperer." Hewitt plays a woman who can talk with the dead. Come on CBS, this sounds like FOX's Tru Calling and that was a bomb. "Threshold" will follow and that is billed as an "alien drama." CBS however will move away from the Sci-Fi and Supernatual themes with the return of the Crime Drama which I called 'Mathnet' for adults; "Numb3rs."

As I said 60 Minutes on Sundays will still be ticking, and so will the crime drama "Cold Case" and its 'flashbacks' and use of pop music in the show followed by CBS's Sunday Night Movies new and old.

The Prime Time TV grid and complete list of the CBS fall shows can be seen by clicking the link below.
http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,8029524812,00.html

ABC & The WB: Rolled out their lineup yesterday. See my post from yesterday by clicking the link below
http://donmccullen.blogspot.com/2005/05/2005-prime-time-tv-fall-lineups-abc-wb.html

NBC: Rolled out their lineup on Monday. Click link below for my post on NBC
http://donmccullen.blogspot.com/2005/05/2005-prime-time-tv-fall-lineups-nbc.html

FOX & UPN: Will present their fall lineup on tomorrow, and that will be a wrap.