CBS Fall 2009 - UPDATE

Before I post, I wanted to thank everyone for the growing amount of support we're receiving. This blog got roughly 1000 hits since yesterday, which is amazing in my opinion. We'll continue to update you on all news whenever possible!

Okay, I received another update from my man GHAW. And listen to what he had to say:

Comedies: The 8-10pm portion on Saturdays are repeats, while new episodes air in the 10pm hour. However, there are exceptions: Schedule 1 (7-9pm; 8-11pm; consists of new episodes with repeats), Schedule 2 (8-9pm; new), Schedule 4 (new episodes of The Karenskys and My World And Welcome To It), Schedule 5 (all repeats).

As for Rules of Engagement, it appears in schedules 4-9. On those schedules, it is being used to counter-program the proposed two hour Wednesday ABC comedy block.

As for Worst Week: What a huge ratings disappointment it turned out to be. Clearly, CBS was far from impressed with its performance, and this show is absolutely cancelled.

The Jay Leno Effect: With the announcement of NBC devoting five hours to The Jay Leno Show, the executives at CBS have been secretly thanking Jeff Zucker and Ben Silverman. Moonves really wants to make a strong statement at 10pm on every night, especially among A18-49. That's one of the main reason why The Mentalist is a strong contender for the Thursday 10pm slot.

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Possible timeslots are Friday 8-10, Saturday 7-9, and Saturday 8-10.

Daytime: Barbara Bloom, the head of CBS Daytime, is very disappointed and concerned with this lineup. The cancellation of Guiding Light was very obvious (I urge you to take a look at the 2007 and 2008 ratings as they are truly awful), and the likely cancellation of As The World Turns in 2010 is causing a lot of nervousness among Procter & Gamble/TeleNext/CBS executives and the cast and crew of ATWT. I was surprised that GL lasted as long as it did. If not for the massive budget cuts in 2005, GL would have last aired in 2005 or 2006. From a ratings standpoint, CBS has very low expectations about the show's last few months on the air. More affiliates may move the series to the morning period (9-11am).

There's been talk for several years now about the expansion of The Bold And The Beautiful. Well, let me tell you that is never going to happen. B&B will always be a half-hour series. Don't be surprised to see the expansion of The Young And The Restless to 90 minutes (12:30pm-2pm). Another World (CBS tried to air it after NBC cancelled it as a half-hour series) is the only daytime drama to air in a 90 minute format (2:30pm-4pm).

News: CBS wants to beef up their sagging news division especially with an emphasis on The Early Show, Face The Nation, CBS Evening News, and CBS News Sunday Morning). CBS Reports may return after being off the air since 1971. This may mean the cancellation of 48 Hours Mystery.

Revival of The TV Special: Remember The Carol Burnett Show: Show Stoppers? That special drew more than 30 million viewers (in the 10pm hour...hint, hint) and was credited with reviving the TV special. Soon after this airing, numerous specials aired on the broadcast nets. Possible specials include sketch comedies, concerts (live/taped performances from best selling acts; best selling means more than 10 million albums sold), stand up comedy, and TV reunions such as Murphy Brown and Designing Women.

Variety Is The Spice of Life: Although Rosie Live! bombed on NBC, CBS wants to resurrect the variety genre. It would be a cross between The Carol Burnett Show, The View, and Saturday Night Live involving singing, dancing, sketch comedy, and yes, even talk. There's even a possibility of Star Search returning to the airwaves (Saturday 7 or 8pm).

May Receive Shortened Episode Order (10-18 episodes)
1. Miami Trauma: This is an interesting situation because CBS is seriously considering this medical drama as a potential series, however the support behind it isn't as strong as many have been led to believe. Hence, the 13 episode order. MT's pickup would hinder other series especially the ones on Saturday, and the medical pilot Three Rivers.

2. Washington Field: As of now, WF appears in 3 proposed schedules. One reason for the perceived lack of support is its premise: It sounds too much like The Unit. As someone said: If you didn't want me to have apple pie, then why did you give me apples?

3. The Unit: Many schedules have TU returning to its roots; the series began as a midseason replacement. If it returns, don't expect more than 17 episodes.

4. Cold Case: This series will no doubt air no more than 21 original episodes. Depending on its ratings, particularly the A18-49 ratings, it may even be reduced to 17.

5. The New Adventures of Old Christine: Being closer to syndication and drawing a sizeable audience increases its chances of being renewed.

6. Gary Unmarried: Many of the proposed schedules indicate this show will most definitely produce fewer episodes.

7. Eleventh Hour: Minimum 12, maximum 16.

8. Numb3rs: Minimum 16, maximum 18.

May Receive Increased Episode Order
1. The Mentalist, NCIS (26)
2. CSI, Two And A Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory (25)
3. Survivor 19 (15)

Super Bowl 2010: Although it may seem way too early to even consider about possible programming choices, only returning series can be mentioned at this point for obvious reasons.

1. The Mentalist (most likely choice)
2. How I Met Your Mother (a slight edge over TBBT; CBS does have some regret over not airing it after SB 2007)
3. The Big Bang Theory (TBBT)

It's important to note that instead of the standard sixty minute post SB airing, CBS may opt for an eighty minute airing. For example, there could be two post-SB series which run for forty minutes each. Other similar programming moves involved SB 1992, SB 1999, and SB 2005. CBS is also hoping to have the post-SB program begin at 10:15pm ET. Survivor: The Australian Outback began at 10:16 ET, and drew 45 million viewers.

6-10:15: Super Bowl 2010
10:15-11:15: The Mentalist

6-10:15: Super Bowl 2010
10:15-11:15: The Mentalist
11:15-11:45: How I Met Your Mother

6-10:15: Super Bowl 2010
10:15-11:25: The Mentalist
11:25-11:55: How I Met Your Mother

6-10:15: Super Bowl 2010
10:15-11:15: The Mentalist
11:15-11:45: How I Met Your Mother
11:45-12:15: The Big Bang Theory

6-10:15: Super Bowl 2010
10:15-10:55: How I Met Your Mother
10:55-11:35: The Big Bang Theory

2010 Winter Olympics (2/12-28/10)
CBS is hoping to counter-program NBC on every night of the Olympics with more original episodes. Remember when CBS rolled over and played dead during the 2002 Winter Games?

Conclusion: The proposed schedules I sent to you are aggressive and involve risk-tasking, but it's a different type of risk taking. The schedules are about maximizing strength and minimizing weakness. Schedule #8 is a prime example of what I'm referring to. As more information rolls, it's becoming evident that CBS wants to be the ultimate king of TV in every timeslot, genre, and ratings data. They want to be known as the modern day King Kong.

Indeed, there is some very shocking and unusual news in there. I know a few of you had questions on Miami Trauma, and he stated that support for the show fallen off as of late, which is understandable for any pilot. As for the episode orders obviously to get all shows renewed this season, their episode orders for next season will undoubtedly have to be cut in order to make room for their new shows. But, expect all of them, except Worst Week, to be back.

As for CBS Daytime, that definitely is interested. I also inquired about The Price is Right, so if I get a response on that, I'll post, as I know I'm still a big fan of it. Seems like CBS is indeed interested in starting a Saturday comedy block - airing repeats of big guns Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men seems like a good idea to start off the block, with new episodes airing in the 10pm hour. Also interesting about the Super Bowl for next season. Obviously, CBS will most likely go with The Mentalist or Big Bang Theory airing afterwards, which I guess is only logical. Too bad they couldn't air a show like Old Christine afterwards, though, which could use the extra support.

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