Last Updated on December 23, 2009
May sweeps isn’t even over, yet…its last day is actually next Wednesday…but several networks are already announcing their fall line-ups. Here’s what I know so far: as more details about each show are released over the summer, you’ll be inundated with show descriptions elsewhere: I thought I’d give you a sneak peek.
CBS
It has been a banner year for the Tiffany Network, despite well-publicized trouble in its news division. 60 Minutes II is one of three shows to get the ax. The obvious question is what will become of Dan Rather, who stepped down from the CBS Evening News to focus solely on the Wednesday newsmagazine, which the network has nicknamed “Sixty-Two.” Speculation is that Rather will move to the Sunday edition at least through 2006 when his contract is up. After that, it’s not clear what would happen.
The other two shows leaving after this year are Joan of Arcadia and Judging Amy. ‘Joan’ received much critical acclaim over its run; ‘Amy’ was a personal favorite of mine, but I tend to like shows that can successfully mix serious storylines with quirky characters. (I still miss Picket Fences.)
CBS plans four new dramas and two new comedies. One of their new dramas, Ghost Whisperer, which is slated to take ‘Joan’s’ timeslot, features Jennifer Love Hewitt as a woman who can talk to ghosts. CBS chairman Les Moonves tells the Associated Press that “talking to ghosts may skew younger than talking to God.”
ABC
ABC has seen big successes this year as well, thanks to Lost and Desperate Housewives. The former is moving back an hour next season, which will put it directly up against Fox’s American Idol. That sounds like a pretty bold move.
8 Simple Rules, My Wife and Kids, and Extreme Makeover won’t be back. ABC plans three new dramas and two new comedies. Geena Davis will star in one of the new dramatic programs, Commander-in-Chief, which focuses on a female American president. Could the show be preparing America for Hillary in ’08?
NBC
The peacock isn’t strutting as proudly this season after slipping to fourth place in some demographics. Third Watch has already had its swan song; American Dreams is history. And the newest Law & Order spinoff, Trial By Jury, has just been canceled.
Despite low ratings, Joey is returning next fall. Martha Stewart will star in her own version of The Apprentice on Wednesdays, and Donald Trump’s version will continue on Thursdays. The West Wing moves to Sundays.
Scrubs and Fear Factor aren’t on the schedule for the fall, but NBC says it does plan to bring both shows back later in the year.
NBC plans six new shows, including a reality series staring Amy Grant. The show, Three Wishes, will feature Grant traveling around the country to help people.
Fox
The Fox network enjoys a first this year: it will finish on the top of the ratings heap in 18-49 year olds. The network plans to add seven new shows, none of them reality shows.
Arrested Development, whose renewal was doubted by many, will return. House also returns, but both shows will eventually move to Monday nights.
The reality shows Trading Spouses, Nanny 911, and The Simple Life aren’t on the fall schedule, but new episodes will be ready to replace the season’s early casualties.
Life on a Stick and Quintuplets were canceled.
One of its most interesting new shows — at least from a concept standpoint — is Reunion, which traces a group of six friends over a 20 year period. Like 24 which uses the gimmick of each episode being a single hour, in real time, of a single day that lasts all season long, Reunion also has a time gimmick: each episode will represent one of the twenty years during which the six characters’ lives are traced.
