CBS May Not Wait on '3 Lbs'

Zap2It.com | October 9, 2006

Stanley Tucci

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Stanley Tucci and Mark Feuerstein star

The early cancellation of "Smith" has left CBS with a programming hole that may need to be filled by midseason hopeful "3 Lbs."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS has requested four scripts from the medical drama, which may be a prelude to "3 Lbs." making its premiere in November, several months ahead of schedule.

CBS has already put plenty of time into developing "3 Lbs.," which comes from writer-producer Peter Ocko. An original version of the pilot was shot for the 2005-06 season and starred Dylan McDermott. When the show was reconceived, McDermott was replaced by Stanley Tucci, who plays an unpredictable doctor mentoring a potentially brilliant young brain surgeon (Mark Feurstein).

Because "3 Lbs." is in production through CBS Paramount TV, the network will soon have seen enough early episodes to determine if it'll be ready to rush into the Tuesday 10 p.m. slot formerly occupied by "Smith."

CBS pulled the plug on "Smith" on Friday (Oct. 6) after the first three episodes of the expensive heist show averaged under 8.5 million viewers. The network has already set a slew of crime procedural repeats to air in that hour through the end of the month.