Filling out fall lineups
The six broadcast networks’ schedules for the 2004-05 season came into sharper focus Monday as NBC ordered 12 new series, only five of which will actually arrive for the traditional fall launch. Both ABC and CBS are likely to bring Mel Gibson to prime-time TV, at least as a producer. CBS may also use its new “CSI: New York†to target NBC’s “Law & Order.â€
And the WB Network will bring reality super-producer Mark Burnett into the scripted realm with his first sitcom.
As expected, “Joey,†Matt LeBlanc’s “Friends†spinoff, will lead off Thursdays for NBC, and the new procedural “Medical Investigation,†starring “Boomtown’s†Neal McDonough and “The Practice’s†Kelli Williams, is set for Fridays. The network also confirmed orders for the airport drama “LAX†(which was earlier titled “HUBâ€), starring Heather Locklear and “L.A. Law’s†Blair Underwood, for Mondays; the animated half-hour “Father of the Pride†(Tuesdays) and the cop show “Hawaii†(Wednesdays).
But NBC executives also affirmed their commitment to year-round programming by announcing seven as-yet unscheduled series. The sitcoms are the courtship comedy “Crazy for You,†the male-focused “The Men’s Room†and “The Office,†a transplant of the BBC America critics’ favorite. Among backup dramas, two revolve around characters with supernatural powers, “Medium†and “Revelations.†There’s also a fourth iteration of the stalwart “Law & Order†franchise, plus the boxing reality show, “The Contender,†earmarked for Tuesdays.
NBC announced the moves at a Monday presentation for advertisers and media at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.
ABC, which reveals its lineup this afternoon, has ordered the family sitcom “Savages,†which Gibson loosely based on his own family, plus three one-hours: the tropical adventure “Lost,†the quirky suburban soap “Desperate Housewives†and the teenage drama “Life as We Know It,†according to agents and rival executives.
The network may also make the rare move of putting a new reality series on the fall schedule, “Wife Swap,†about two ordinary moms who briefly trade places.
CBS, which presents its schedule to advertisers Wednesday, will try to keep its lineup relatively stable, although executives will likely take on NBC’s long-dominant “Law & Order†with the third “CSI.â€
CBS is also expected to order at least two additional new dramas (both Rob Lowe’s “Dr. Vegas†and Stanley Tucci’s “The Webster Report†are said to be in contention, along with Gibson’s baseball drama, “Clubhouseâ€) and two new comedies, “Center of the Universe†with John Goodman (possibly for Mondays) and the tentatively titled “The Tony Show†with Jason Alexander (Wednesdays).
Goodman is also the voice of one of the lions in NBC’s animated series “Father of the Pride.â€
Among existing series that likely won’t return in fall: ABC’s “Life With Bonnie,†“I’m With Her†and “It’s All Relative†and CBS’ “Yes, Dear,†“The Guardian†and “The District.â€
At its advertiser presentation this morning, the WB Network is expected to announce an order for “Commando Nanny,†the first sitcom for Burnett (“Survivor,†“The Apprenticeâ€). The network had earlier picked up two dramas, “Jack & Bobby†and “The Mountain.â€
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NBC’s blueprint
NBC added five new series to its fall programming lineup and has ordered an additional seven that will join the lineup later in the season.
What’s New
“LAX†(10-11 p.m. Mondays): Heather Locklear and Blair Underwood star in a drama series set at Los Angeles International Airport.
“Father of the Pride†(9-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays): The team behind “Shrek†created this computer-generated animation series set amid Las Vegas entertainers Siegfried & Roy’s white lions.
“Hawaii†(8-9 p.m. Wednesdays): Cops contend with the island culture. Think “Las Vegas†meets “Hawaii Five-0.â€
“Joey†(8-8:30 p.m. Thursdays): Matt LeBlanc reprises his Joey Tribbiani character from “Friends.†Now he’s a struggling actor in Hollywood.
“Medical Investigation†(10-11 p.m. Fridays): This is a fact-based medical drama, set at the National Institutes of Health.
What’s Moved
“Average Joe†(8-9 p.m. Tuesdays): The reality dating show moves to the slot previously occupied by “Whoopi†and “Happy Family.â€
What’s Gone
(shows on NBC’s fall ’03 schedule):
“Boomtown,†“Ed,†“Frasier,†“Friends,†“Happy Family,†“Lyon’s Den,†“Miss Match†and “Whoopi.â€
What Else
(new shows ordered but not on the fall lineup):
“The Contenderâ€: This reality show set in the world of boxing will join the Tuesday schedule when “Average Joe†concludes. “For Love or Money 4†will return later in the season.
“Revelationsâ€: An eight-episode series about efforts to forestall the end of days prophesies of the book of Revelations; it will share 9 p.m. Wednesdays with “The West Wing.†Other dramas joining the schedule later are “Law & Order: Trial by Jury†and “Medium.â€
“Crazy for You,†“The Men’s Room†and “The Officeâ€: new comedies joining the schedule later in the year.
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