CBS Opts For Stability

Zap2It.com | May 16, 2007

Lloyd Owen, 'Viva Laughlin'

'Laughlin,' 'Moonlight' and 'Cane' are the three new dramas

After the myriad NBC additions and the ABC tumult, there's something soothing about the schedule CBS unveiled on Wednesday (May 16) morning.

While CBS will be introducing three new dramas, one new comedy and one new alternative series in the fall, no night features more than one fresh program and only two established shows are changing slots.

All four of CBS' new scripted programs are being launched behind established shows. The comedy "The Big Bang Theory" will be positioned between "How I Met Your Mother" and producer Chuck Lorre's hit "Two and a Half Men" at 8:30 p.m. on Mondays. The family ensemble "Cane," anchored by Jimmy Smits, will air at 10 p.m. on Tuesdays, after "The Unit." The vampire/private investigator drama "Moonlight" will draw life from the occult-themed "Ghost Whisperer" on Fridays at 9 p.m. And while "60 Minutes" may seem like a somewhat odd lead-in for a musical thriller about gambling, CBS hopes that "Viva Laughlin" will be able to draw viewers at 8 p.m. on Sunday nights.

Only the unscripted "Kid Nation," in which a group of youngsters occupy a 19th century ghost town for 40 days, will have to be a self-starter, launching Wednesday nights in the slot occupied by the cancelled "Jericho."

The other minor variation on CBS' schedule is the return of "Without a Trace" to the Thursday night 10 p.m. position where it started its life. The network determined that after one season finding its audience after "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," the James Woods legal drama "Shark" was ready to move out on its own, taking the 10 p.m. hour on Sundays, where its lead-in will still be the robust "Cold Case."

"We approached our development this year with a specific goal in mind -- to be daring and different," says CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler. "The fall and mid-season series we have selected offer creativity and variety with great potential to excite and surprise television audiences everywhere."

Expected in many quarters to grab a fall slot, the Swingin' '70s ensemble drama "Swingtown" will be held for midseason, along with the Emmy-winning comedy "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and the Emmy-winning reality show "The Amazing Race."

In addition to the demise of "Jericho," the CBS upfront announcement formally spelled the doom of "The Class" and "Close to Home."

Here is CBS's fall 2007 schedule (all times Eastern, new shows in bold):

Monday

8 p.m. "How I Met Your Mother"
8:30 p.m. "The Big Bang Theory"
9 p.m. "Two and a Half Men"
9:30 p.m. "Rules of Engagement"
10 p.m. "CSI: Miami"

Tuesday

8 p.m. "NCIS"
9 p.m. "The Unit"
10 p.m. "Cane"

Wednesday

8 p.m. "Kid Nation"
9 p.m. "Criminal Minds"
10 p.m. "CSI: NY"

Thursday

8 p.m. "Survivor: China"
9 p.m. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"
10 p.m. "Without a Trace" (New timeslot)

Friday

8 p.m. "Ghost Whisperer"
9 p.m. "Moonlight"
10 p.m. "Numb3rs"

Saturday

8 p.m. Crimetime Saturday
9 p.m. Crimetime Saturday
10 p.m. "48 Hours: Mystery"

Sunday

7 p.m. "60 Minutes"
8 p.m. "Viva Laughlin"
9 p.m. "Cold Case"
10 p.m. "Shark" (New timeslot)