Thursday, May 15, 2008

Upfronts Update (CBS and Fox)

Here are the remaining schedule announcements from CBS and Fox. Again, not a lot of shakeups in their lineups and only a few new shows debuting.

CBS:
CBS has sent out its fall lineup, and in addition to adding five new series, the Eye is shuffling around three returning favorites.

Old Christine, which to the surprise of many was plucked from ABC's anxious grasp and kept on at CBS, now will lead off Wednesday nights. That sets the table for Project Gary, a new comedy starring Jay Mohr as a recent divorcé. With Rules of Engagement on hold until midseason, Worst Week (Jericho's Kyle Bornheimer and Kitchen Confidential's Erinn Hayes are newly engaged) will join the Monday comedy block.

CBS Tuesday still starts out with NCIS, but then continues with The Mentalist (starring Simon Baker) and Without a Trace (landing on a new night).

Claiming Trace's Thurday-at-10 spot is Jerry Bruckheimer's Eleventh Hour. One of the perhaps oddest fits has The Ex List, a big ol' romantic dramedy, filling the Friday gap between Ghost Whisperer and Numbers.

The Unit now calls Sundays-at-10 home. Harper's Island, a murder mystery, debuts midseason.


Fox:
For those who've been keeping an ear to the tracks, Fox's fall plan didn't shake out exactly as expected. Perhaps waylaid by CBS' decision to program Wednesday's 8 o'clock hour with comedies, Fox has opted to counterprogram with Bones. Leading out of House on Tuesdays at 9 is Lost creator J.J. Abrams' much-anticipated Fringe.

On Monday, Terminator and Prison Break have swapped places, with Sarah Connor now opening the night. Wednesday's 9 o'clock hour features 'Til Death and the new comedy Do Not Disturb (née The Inn). Thursday's reality twofer now features Moment of Truth and Kitchen Nightmares, with 5th Grader and Lyrics airing Friday.

Prison Break, Fringe and Bones each will return with two-hour episodes, airing Aug. 25, 26 and 27 (respectively).

Sunday maintains the status quo, with the new animated series Sit Down, Shut Up and The Cleveland Show premiering in spring '09.

Joss Whedon's Dollhouse, as expected, won't open until midseason. 24, Idol and Hell's Kitchen all return in January.

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