Posted: Saturday, January 7, 2006 6:00 pm
This is the time of year when the networks retool their programming lineups and introduce new shows to take the place of those that were canceled or are on hiatus.
Viewers will see this again in March when the networks gear up for May sweeps.
ABC found a gem last March when it premiered “Grey’s Anatomy.” The medical drama is one of the network’s most popular and highest-rated shows.
I’m not saying any of this year’s new shows will catch on like “Grey’s” did, but a couple of them — “Crumbs” (ABC) and “Love Monkey” (CBS) — appear to have potential.
The following is a rundown of new shows as well as times and days of returning shows:
ABC
“Crumbs,” 8:30 p.m. Thursday: Brothers (Fred Savage, Eddie McClintock) return home to deal with their mother (Jane Curtain) who has just been released from a psychiatric facility.
“Emily’s Reasons Why Not,” 8 p.m. Monday: Heather Graham made a splash last year in “Scrubs.” Now she’s back with her own sitcom about a woman’s adventures in life and love.
“In Justice,” 8 p.m. Friday: Lawyers from the National Justice Project take on cases of innocent people wrongly convicted of crimes. Kyle MacLachlan (“Sex and the City”) leads the cast.
Returning shows: “Jake in Progress,” 8:30 p.m. Monday; “The Bachelor,” 9 p.m. Monday; “Dancing With the Stars,” 7 p.m. Thursday.
CBS
“Love Monkey,” 9 p.m. Tuesday (beginning Jan. 17): Tom Cavanagh (“Ed”) is a 30-something record executive who is on a roller coaster ride with his job and love life.
“The Jenna Elfman Show,” 8:30 p.m. Monday (Jan. 23): Elfman (“Dharma & Greg”) returns as a semi-workaholic lawyer who’s on a mission to find love.
NBC
“Four Kings,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday: Seth Green heads up the cast of four lifelong friends who find themselves on the cusp of adulthood.
“Book of Daniel,” 8 p.m. Friday: The limited-run series stars Aidan Quinn as an unconventional Episcopalian priest who not only believes in Jesus — he actually sees him and discusses life with him.
Returning shows: “Fear Factor,” 7 p.m. Monday; “Scrubs,” 8 p.m. Tuesday; “The Biggest Loser: Special Edition,” 8 p.m. Wednesday.
UPN
“South Beach,” 7 p.m. Wednesday: Marcus Coloma and Chris Johnson play best friends who move to a paradise filled with sandy beaches, beautiful people and glamorous night spots.
“Get This Party Started,” 8 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 24): The new reality show features party planners helping people around the country put together special events.
FOX
“Skating With Celebrities,” 7 p.m. Monday (debuts 7 p.m. Jan. 18; moves to regular timeslot Jan. 23): This is FOX’s twist on the dancing craze. B-list celebs team with professionals in a figure skating competition.
Returning shows: “24,” 8 p.m. Monday (debuts at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 and airs at 7 p.m. Jan. 16; moves to regular timeslot Jan. 23); “American Idol,” 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday (Jan. 17 and 18); “Trading Spouses,” 8 p.m. Friday.
Other returning shows of note:
* “The Shield,” FX, 9 p.m. Tuesday
* “Beauty and the Geek,” The WB, 8 p.m. Thursday
* “Monk,” USA, 9 p.m. Friday
* “Battlestar Galactica,” 9 p.m. Friday (premiered Jan. 6)
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.