Jeff Korbelik: Networks to announce schedules
It’s the time of year when the broadcast networks reveal their new seasons. The broadcast networks call them the “upfronts.”Upfronts begin this week, but this year will be different because many of the decisions already have been made and publicized, thanks in part to the writers’ strike, which delayed or prevented pilots from being made.
NBC, for instance, announced its prime-time schedule more than four weeks ago, while ABC renewed several of its scripted series at the end of the writers’ strike.
Both are bringing back shows — “Life” (NBC), “Dirty Sexy Money” (ABC), etc. — that had so-so Nielsen ratings and may have been canceled if they had run for an entire season.
The following is a rundown of what’s in store this week from the networks:
NBC (upfront is Monday)
The New York Times reports NBC will promote its cable channels (USA, Sci Fi, etc.) and Web sites during its presentation since it already announced its season.
The network canceled “Scrubs,” “Journeyman,” “Bionic Woman” and “Las Vegas.”
Returning are “Heroes,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Medium,” “30 Rock,” “The Office,” “My Name is Earl,” “ER,” “Friday Night Lights,” “The Biggest Loser” and “Deal or No Deal.”
New shows coming back are “Chuck,” “Life” and “Lipstick Jungle.”
ABC (upfront is Tuesday)
The biggest question is if Emmy-winning “Boston Legal” will be back.
The network has kept mum on the show’s fate. The drama averages a respectable 9.9 million viewers weekly, but only 3.4 million of them are in the desired 18-to-49 age demographic.
Also “on the bubble” are “Women’s Murder Club,” “Eli Stone” and “According to Jim.” Shows needing a miracle are “Men in Trees,” “Miss Guided” and “October Road.”
Renewed shows include “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Ugly Betty,” “Samantha Who?,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Super Nanny,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost.”
“Scrubs,” it appears, will be on ABC after seven seasons on NBC.
The CW (upfront is Tuesday)
“Reaper” is in limbo, but its return looks good since the network decided to air new episodes of it after the strike.
The CW has renewed six series: “Everybody Loves Chris,” “One Tree Hill,” “America’s Next Top Model,” “Smallville,” “Supernatural” and “Gossip Girl.”
It doesn’t look good for “Aliens in America,” one of the year’s best new comedies. The network’s other comedies —“Girlfriends” and “The Game” — appear to be done as well. We’ll see.
CBS (upfront is Wednesday)
The network has several shows with loyal fan bases on the bubble: “How I Met Your Mother,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” “The Unit” and “Shark.”
Mediocre ratings did in “Jericho” (again).
The prognosis isn’t good for “Cane,” which wasn’t brought back after the strike. It’s better for “Moonlight” because it did return with new episodes.
Sure things are the three “CSIs,” “NCIS,” “Without a Trace,” “60 Minutes,” “Survivor,” “Two and Half Men,” “Criminal Minds,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “Numb3rs,” “Cold Case” and “The Big Bang Theory.”
Fox (upfront is Friday)
The network has renewed “Prison Break” and “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.”
Sure bets are “Bones,” “House,” “American Idol,” “24,” “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.” Good bets are “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?,” “Moment of Truth” and anything with chef Gordon Ramsay.
The jury is out on “Back to You,” “’Til Death,” “New Amsterdam” and “Unhitched.”
I don’t expect “Canterbury’s Law” to return because Fox moved it to Fridays (TV’s graveyard) halfway through its spring run.
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.
NBC, for instance, announced its prime-time schedule more than four weeks ago, while ABC renewed several of its scripted series at the end of the writers’ strike.
Both are bringing back shows — “Life” (NBC), “Dirty Sexy Money” (ABC), etc. — that had so-so Nielsen ratings and may have been canceled if they had run for an entire season.
The following is a rundown of what’s in store this week from the networks:
NBC (upfront is Monday)
The New York Times reports NBC will promote its cable channels (USA, Sci Fi, etc.) and Web sites during its presentation since it already announced its season.
The network canceled “Scrubs,” “Journeyman,” “Bionic Woman” and “Las Vegas.”
Returning are “Heroes,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Medium,” “30 Rock,” “The Office,” “My Name is Earl,” “ER,” “Friday Night Lights,” “The Biggest Loser” and “Deal or No Deal.”
New shows coming back are “Chuck,” “Life” and “Lipstick Jungle.”
ABC (upfront is Tuesday)
The biggest question is if Emmy-winning “Boston Legal” will be back.
The network has kept mum on the show’s fate. The drama averages a respectable 9.9 million viewers weekly, but only 3.4 million of them are in the desired 18-to-49 age demographic.
Also “on the bubble” are “Women’s Murder Club,” “Eli Stone” and “According to Jim.” Shows needing a miracle are “Men in Trees,” “Miss Guided” and “October Road.”
Renewed shows include “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Ugly Betty,” “Samantha Who?,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Super Nanny,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost.”
“Scrubs,” it appears, will be on ABC after seven seasons on NBC.
The CW (upfront is Tuesday)
“Reaper” is in limbo, but its return looks good since the network decided to air new episodes of it after the strike.
The CW has renewed six series: “Everybody Loves Chris,” “One Tree Hill,” “America’s Next Top Model,” “Smallville,” “Supernatural” and “Gossip Girl.”
It doesn’t look good for “Aliens in America,” one of the year’s best new comedies. The network’s other comedies —“Girlfriends” and “The Game” — appear to be done as well. We’ll see.
CBS (upfront is Wednesday)
The network has several shows with loyal fan bases on the bubble: “How I Met Your Mother,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” “The Unit” and “Shark.”
Mediocre ratings did in “Jericho” (again).
The prognosis isn’t good for “Cane,” which wasn’t brought back after the strike. It’s better for “Moonlight” because it did return with new episodes.
Sure things are the three “CSIs,” “NCIS,” “Without a Trace,” “60 Minutes,” “Survivor,” “Two and Half Men,” “Criminal Minds,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “Numb3rs,” “Cold Case” and “The Big Bang Theory.”
Fox (upfront is Friday)
The network has renewed “Prison Break” and “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.”
Sure bets are “Bones,” “House,” “American Idol,” “24,” “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.” Good bets are “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?,” “Moment of Truth” and anything with chef Gordon Ramsay.
The jury is out on “Back to You,” “’Til Death,” “New Amsterdam” and “Unhitched.”
I don’t expect “Canterbury’s Law” to return because Fox moved it to Fridays (TV’s graveyard) halfway through its spring run.
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.
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