After the worst television season in history, the networks this week unveiled their fall schedules. Can you feel the excitement?
Relaunches, retreads and American versions of international imports dominate the lineups, while the potential for an actors strike looms.
At a time when network television is losing its grip on the public’s attention, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox lost a combined 17 percent of their audience this strike- afflicted season — the emphasis is on cost-saving measures, product integration and recycling rather than creative programming initiatives. The broadcast networks have decided to fight the onslaught of cable, the Internet, DVDs and video games by making fewer pilots and relaunching a bunch of shows from last year.
Say goodbye to: “Moonlight,” “Shark,” “Aliens in America,” “Back to You,” “New Amsterdam,” “Women’s Murder Club,” “Men in Trees,” “Cavemen,” “Big Shots,” “Cashmere Mafia,” “Miss/Guided,” “Carpoolers” and “Notes From the Underbelly.” As announced earlier, “Journeyman,” “Bionic Woman” and “Las Vegas” are gone. “Boston Legal” gets 13 more episodes, then it’s dismissed.
Going forward, ABC needs stability, CBS needs something beyond aging crime procedurals, NBC is lagging with downscale game shows and desperately needs a hit, CW needs to connect with a new generation of “90210” fans. Fox alone is doing well, but mostly on the strength of “American Idol,” and it, too, needs something fresh.
ABC will introduce “Life on Mars,” a clone of a British series about a cop transported to the bad fashions and quaint police work of 1972, and “Opportunity Knocks,” a game show from (but not featuring) Ashton Kutcher. At midseason ABC will add “Scrubs,” scrounged from NBC, and “The Goode Family,” an animated comedy from Mike Judge poking fun at vegan, liberal, Whole Foods (Boulder?) types.
With just two new series, ABC will emphasize second chances for the nonstarters “Pushing Daisies,” “Private Practice” and “Dirty Sexy Money.” “Samantha Who” and “Eli Stone” will stay put.
CBS will add two comedies and four dramas: the sitcoms are “Worst Week,” a conventional-sounding half-hour, and “Project Gary,” starring Jay Mohr. The new dramas are “11th Hour,” from Jerry Bruckheimer, who produces the bulk of CBS’s crime slate, an adaptation of a British miniseries about a science professor who helps the government track terrorists; “Harper’s Island,” a murder mystery; “The Mentalist,” starring Simon Baker as a celebrity psychic- turned-detective, and “The Ex List,” adapted from an Israeli series, about a woman revisiting past boyfriends to find her future.
CW is banking on a remake of “90210” with Jennie Garth guest-starring in her original role, now as a guidance counselor. CW also will introduce “Surviving the Filthy Rich,” based on the book, and “Stylista,” a fashion reality show. CW loses wrestling and gains a Sunday night chick-friendly lineup (in a revenue-sharing deal with an advertising consortium).
NBC previously announced its year-round rollout, including a Christian Slater drama to be solely sponsored by GM, all about product integration.
Fox’s newcomers have the best credentials: “Fringe” from J.J. Abrams (“Lost”), plus “Dollhouse” from Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”). Fox also has “Sit Down, Shut Up,” an animated effort from Mitch Hurwitz (“Arrested Development”).
Then there are two that refuse to die: “According to Jim” and ” ‘Til Death.” And they wonder why there’s so little excitement about network programming.
Remember, last May the buzz was “Bionic Woman” on NBC, “Viva Laughlin” on CBS and “Cavemen” on ABC. None of those lasted long enough for sophomore relaunches.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
