The 2004 Fall Schedule thread (1 Viewer)

[Jason Seaver]

Time for the annual compilation of fall schedules from the networks' upfront presentations. I'll be updating this post daily to create a master schedule; in the meantime making snarky comments about what these people are thinking (the UPN and WB days should be especially ripe). Then, at the end of the week, the "what I'll be watchng" posts.

Sunday

07:00 ABC - America's Funniest Home Videos
07:00 CBS - 60 Minutes
07:00 FOX - King Of The Hill (Sunday 7:30pm)
07:00 NBC - Dateline NBC
07:00 tWB - Steve Harvey's Big Time

07:30 FOX - Malcolm In The Middle (Sunday 8:30pm)

08:00 ABC - Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
08:00 CBS - Cold Case
08:00 FOX - The Simpsons
08:00 NBC - American Dreams
08:00 tWB - Charmed

08:30 FOX - Arrested Development (Sunday 9:00pm)

09:00 ABC - Desperate Housewives
09:00 CBS - CBS Sunday Movie
09:00 FOX - The Partner
09:00 NBC - Law & Order: Criminal Intent
09:00 tWB - Jack & Bobby

10:00 ABC - The Practice: Fleet Street
10:00 NBC - Crossing Jordan

Monday

08:00 ABC - The Benefactor
08:00 CBS - Still Standing
08:00 FOX - North Shore
08:00 NBC - Fear Factor
08:00 UPN - One on One
08:00 tWB - 7th Heaven

08:30 CBS - Listen Up
08:30 UPN - Half And Half

09:00 ABC - Monday Night Football
09:00 CBS - Everybody Loves Raymond
09:00 FOX - The Swan
09:00 NBC - Las Vegas
09:00 UPN - Girlfriends
09:00 tWB - Everwood

09:30 CBS - Two and a Half Men
09:30 UPN - Second Time Around
10:00 CBS - CSI: Miami
10:00 NBC - LAX

Tuesday

08:00 ABC - My Wife and Kids
08:00 CBS - NCIS
08:00 FOX - The Billionaire
08:00 NBC - Average Joe
08:00 UPN - All Of Us
08:00 tWB - Gilmore Girls

08:30 ABC - George Lopez
08:30 UPN - Eve

09:00 ABC - According to Jim
09:00 CBS - Clubhouse
09:00 FOX - House
09:00 NBC - Father of the Pride
09:00 UPN - Veronica Mars
09:00 tWB - One Tree Hill

09:30 ABC - Rodney
09:30 NBC - Scrubs

10:00 ABC - NYPD Blue
10:00 CBS - Judging Amy
10:00 NBC - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Wednesday

08:00 ABC - Lost
08:00 CBS - 60 Minutes
08:00 FOX - That 70s Show
08:00 NBC - Hawaii
08:00 UPN - America's Next Top Model
08:00 tWB - Smallville

08:30 FOX - Quintuplets

09:00 ABC - The Bachelor
09:00 CBS - The King Of Queens
09:00 FOX - The Bernie Mac Show (Wednesday 9:30pm)
09:00 NBC - The West Wing
09:00 UPN - Kevin Hill
09:00 tWB - Blue Collar TV

09:30 CBS - Center of the Universe
09:30 FOX - Method & Red
09:30 tWB - Drew Carey's Green Screen Show

10:00 ABC - Wife Swap
10:00 CBS - CSI: New York
10:00 NBC - Law & Order

Thursday

08:00 ABC - Extreme Makeover
08:00 CBS - Survivor
08:00 FOX - The O.C.
08:00 NBC - Joey
08:00 UPN - WWE Smackdown!
08:00 tWB - The Mountain

08:30 NBC - Will & Grace

09:00 ABC - Life As We Know It
09:00 CBS - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
09:00 FOX - Tru Calling
09:00 NBC - The Apprentice #2
09:00 tWB - Studio 7

10:00 ABC - Primetime Live
10:00 CBS - Without A Trace
10:00 NBC - ER

Friday

08:00 ABC - 8 Simple Rules
08:00 CBS - Joan of Arcadia
08:00 FOX - The Next Great Champ
08:00 NBC - Dateline NBC
08:00 UPN - America's Next Top Model (Repeat)
08:00 tWB - What I Like About You

08:30 ABC - Savages
08:30 tWB - Commando Nanny

09:00 ABC - Hope & Faith
09:00 CBS - JAG
09:00 FOX - The Jury
09:00 NBC - Third Watch
09:00 UPN - Star Trek: Enterprise
09:00 tWB - Reba

09:30 ABC - Less Than Perfect
09:30 tWB - Grounded For Life

10:00 ABC - 20/20
10:00 CBS - Dr. Vegas
10:00 NBC - Medical Investigation

Saturday

08:00 ABC - The Wonderful World Of Disney
08:00 CBS - 48 Hours Mysteries
08:00 FOX - Cops
08:00 NBC - NBC Saturday Night Movie

08:30 FOX - Cops

09:00 CBS - The Amazing Race
09:00 FOX - America's Most Wanted

10:00 CBS - "Crime Time Saturday" (rotating reruns)

The Bench

ABC - Alias (Sunday 9pm)
ABC - Blind Justice (Tuesday 9pm)
ABC - Eyes
ABC - Grey's Anantomy (Monday 10pm)

CBS - Untitled Jenna Elfman/Chuck Lorre sitcom

FOX - American Dad (Sunday 9:30pm)
FOX - American Idol (Tuesday 8pm & Wednesday 9pm)
FOX - Athens (Monday 8pm)
FOX - The Complex: Malibu (begins in August, depending what flops over the summer)
FOX - Family Guy (Summer 2005)
FOX - The Inside (Friday 8pm)
FOX - Johnny Zero (Friday 9pm)
FOX - Point Pleasant
FOX - Kelsey Grammar Presents: The Sketch Show (Sunday 7pm)
FOX - Related By Family (Wednesday 8:30pm)
FOX - 24 (Monday 9pm)

NBC - The Contender (Tuesday 8pm)
NBC - Crazy For You
NBC - For Love Or Money #4
NBC - Law & Order: Trial By Jury
NBC - Medium
NBC - The Men's Room
NBC - The Office
NBC - Revelations (Wednesday 9pm)

UPN - Untitled Missy Elliot Project

tWB - Big Man On Campus
tWB - Global Frequency
tWB - High School Reunion
tWB - Rocky Point
tWB - Shacking Up
tWB - Wannabes

 

[Brian_FSullivan]

NBC BUILDS ON TOP-RATED SUCCESS WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITS NEW PRIMETIME PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR 2004-05
Published: May 17, 2004

Number One Network Delivers on Promise to Spotlight New Ideas as Matt LeBlanc, Drea de Matteo, Heather Locklear, Blair Underwood, Patricia Arquette, Neal McDonough, Kelli Williams, Bill Pullman, Natascha McElhone, Steve Carell and John Goodman Star

NEW YORK -- May 17, 2004 -- NBC introduced its new prime-time schedule for the 2004-05 season today, a line-up that will initially add two new comedy series and three new dramas to America's top-rated television network, and then introduce seven more projects as the season progresses. The new lineup - set to roll out in late August following the 2004 Summer Olympics - includes a spin-off of "Friends," "Joey," and an animated comedy from the creators of "Shrek," "Father of the Pride."

The joint announcement was made today by Jeff Zucker, President, NBC Universal Television Group, and Kevin Reilly, President NBC Entertainment, at NBC's annual Sales Presentation held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

The five new shows debuting in September, totaling just four hours, represents the fewest number of new shows NBC has introduced in five years, but the additional seven series already ordered represents the most aggressive commitment to year-round original programming ever.

Zucker told advertisers, "NBC Universal affords us an exciting new relationship to extend the NBC brand and maintain our position as America's number one network among adults 18-49 for a fifth consecutive year. We've presented an incredibly stable, yet exciting new schedule and our freshman programs will offer viewers some of their favorite returning stars and the next wave of new personalities poised to become breakout stars."

Reilly added: "We have positioned the network to remain in great shape and we will build on that momentum. Our mantra this year is 52 weeks a year of fresh product, programmed when it can best succeed. This has been our objective and today, I think you'll see that we've delivered the goods."

The 2004-05 strategy unveiled today reflects NBC's aggressive approach to the changing nature of prime-time television, with such unconventional elements as the early premieres immediately following the Olympics, innovative scheduling that will minimize encore programming in several key time periods and the introduction of a number of the season's most exciting, new projects over the course of the season, well beyond the fray of the traditional fall premieres.

In addition, the network will feature "Revelations," an eight-episode, edge-of-your-seat thriller about a small group of people struggling to forestall the prophesies put forth in the book of Revelations and "The Contender," the next great unscripted drama from the creator of "The Apprentice" and "Survivor" -- Mark Burnett. The driving force behind the series will be the pursuit of the American dream and the natural trials, tribulations and heartbreak inherent in that quest.

The new comedies include: "Joey," starring Emmy Award nominee Matt LeBlanc in his popular "Friends" role and Drea de Matteo ("The Sopranos"); "Father of the Pride," a CGI-animated comedy series that goes beyond the bright lights and glitz of the iconic "Siegfried & Roy" show featuring the voices of John Goodman ("Roseanne"), Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"), Carl Reiner ("The Dick Van Dyke Show") and Orlando Jones ("Magnolia").

Meanwhile, "Crazy for You," starring Josh Cooke ("Century City") and Jennifer Finnigan ("NBC's "Crossing Jordan"); "The Men's Room," starring Scott Cohen ("The Practice") and John Cho ("American Pie"), and "The Office," starring Steve Carell ("Bruce Almighty") will premiere later in the season.

The new dramas are: "Medical Investigation," starring Neal McDonough ("Boomtown") and Kelli Williams ("The Practice"); "Hawaii," starring Michael Biehn ("The Terminator") and Sharif Atkins (NBC's "ER"); "LAX," starring Heather Locklear ("Spin City") and Blair Underwood ("L.A. Law").

"Medium," starring Patricia Arquette ("Stigmata"); "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," the fourth and latest drama in television's most successful franchise from executive producer Dick Wolf, and the limited series "Revelations," starring Bill Pullman ("Independence Day") and Natascha McElhone ("Solaris") are set for later in the season.

The new schedule kicks off Mondays with the fifth season of the increasingly dominant unscripted drama "Fear Factor" (8-9 p.m. ET) in its same day and time. The series averages the highest 18-49 regular-program rating (5.9) for any network in this slot in seven years. Returning for a second season at 9-10 p.m. (ET) is "Las Vegas," TV's highest-rated freshman drama among adults 18-49 this season. Concluding the resurgent night will be "LAX" (10-11 p.m. ET).

On a revamped Tuesday, NBC leads off with "Average Joe" (8-9 p.m. ET), followed by the new CGI-animated comedy "Father of Pride" (9-9:30 p.m. ET). "Scrubs" (9:30-10 p.m. ET) returns for its fourth season, having retained 99 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Fraiser," the best retention for any 9:30 p.m. comedy on any network. Now entering its sixth season, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (10-11 p.m. ET) begins a second year on Tuesdays where it delivered NBC's most dominant 18-49 victory in the time period in the 17-year history of People Meters (up 26 percent over the 2002-03 time slot).

The successful Wednesday lineup resumes largely intact with "Hawaii" (8-9 p.m. ET) jump-starting the night. "The West Wing" (9-10 p.m. ET) shares the distinction with "The Apprentice" for delivering the #1 and #2 indexes in most key upscale categories (measuring percentage representation of upscale homes in their audiences). The venerable "Law & Order" - now guaranteed in its new deal through the 2005-06 season - has won the hour by a 29 percent or greater margin in each of the last four seasons.

The legendary "Must-See" Thursday schedule takes on a new viewer-friendly face with the series premiere of "Joey" - starring Matt LeBlanc as he reprises his role as Joey Tribbiani from "Friends" - from 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) followed by the Emmy-winning "Will & Grace" (8:30-9 p.m. ET), the #2 comedy in the 18-49 demo behind only "Friends" in each of the last four seasons. Next up is the current season's biggest monster hit, "The Apprentice 2" - which bolted to become the #1 new series among the 18-49 set - and stars business and media colossus Donald Trump. Anchoring NBC Thursday night for an 11th year will be the Emmy-winning "ER" at 10-11 p.m. (ET), television's #1 drama in 18-49 for each of its 10 seasons (a feat unprecedented in television history).

Fridays means "Dateline NBC" (8-9 p.m. ET) which has won its Friday time period in 18-49 versus regular programming for the last seven seasons in a row (including one tie). "Third Watch" (9-10 p.m. ET) comes back for its sixth season and after moving to Fridays in 2003-04, is now the night's #1 series among adults 18-49 this season. Concluding the night will be "Medical Investigation" (10-11 p.m. ET)

Saturday remains the night for major theatrical films on NBC. Additionally, encore telecasts of "The Apprentice" will air at 8-9:00 p.m. ET.

The growing Sunday lineup returns virtually intact from last spring as "Dateline NBC" launches the night again (7-8 p.m. ET). The upbeat "American Dreams" enters its junior year (8-9 p.m. ET) and scores the highest upscale indexes of any Sunday drama on any network. Once again, the investigative drama "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (9-10 p.m. ET) follows, having gone undefeated this season in 18-49 versus regular competition. The night concludes with the rejuvenated crime drama "Crossing Jordan" (10-11 p.m. ET) in its fourth season. Since its return in Spring 2004, it represents NBC's top-rated original series in the slot in five seasons and wins the hour in 18-49 against regular programming by a whopping 44 percent.

Zucker also announced that Dennis Farina will join the cast of "Law & Order;" "Scrubs" is renewed for two additional seasons; Late night host Carson Daly re-ups with the network for three more years and Kelsey Grammer will star as Scrooge in the two-hour movie musical "A Christmas Carol."

Zucker stressed the following points concerning NBC's current successful lineup:


NBC is winning its fourth season in a row among adults 18-49 and eighth out of the last nine seasons.

NBC's 18-49 lead has increased to 8 percent (from 5 percent last season) and grows to a commanding 16 percent in non-sports averages (from 10 percent last season).

NBC's leads are also bigger in key upscale categories, where the network continues to dominate.

NBC is #1 in non-sports averages among adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 and is the only network competitive across all key adult groups.

In non-sports 18-49 averages, NBC is #1 or #2 on six of seven nights of the week.

NBC's schedule includes the top two comedies, six of the top nine dramas and the #1 new series of the 2003-04 television season among adults 18-49.

NBC is #1 in key demographics in every major daypart (primetime, late night, daytime, morning news, evening news and Sunday-morning public affairs) for the past three seasons in a row. No other major network has done this even once.

Following is NBC's primetime schedule for the 2004-05 season, followed by show descriptions. (Titles are "working titles"; all times are Eastern Time):

NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR 2004-05

*New programs in CAPS
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. "Fear Factor"
9-10 p.m. "Las Vegas"
10-11 p.m. "LAX"

TUESDAY
8-9:00 p.m. "Average Joe"/"THE CONTENDER"
9:00-9:30 p.m. "FATHER OF THE PRIDE"
9:30-10 p.m. "Scrubs"
10-11 p.m. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"

WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. "HAWAII"
9-10 p.m. "The West Wing"/"REVELATIONS"
10-11 p.m. "Law & Order"

THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m. "JOEY"
8:30-9 p.m. "Will & Grace"
9-10 p.m. "The Apprentice 2"
10-11 p.m. "ER"

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. "Dateline NBC"
9-10 p.m. "Third Watch" - new time
10-11 p.m. "MEDICAL INVESTIGATION"

SATURDAY
8-11 p.m. "NBC Saturday Night Movie"

SUNDAY
7-8 p.m. "Dateline NBC"
8-9 p.m. "American Dreams"
9-10 p.m. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"
10-11 p.m. "Crossing Jordan"


Following are program descriptions for NBC's new Fall and mid-season series.

NEW COMEDIES

JOEY -- The still-single Friend strikes out on his own as Emmy nominee Matt LeBlanc reprises his "Friends" role as charming Joey Tribbiani in this spinoff that continues the beloved "Friends" tradition. LeBlanc is backed by the award-winning writers and director who contributed to the unforgettable "Friends" phenomenon. Joey leaves New York for Hollywood in order to take his acting career to the next level. He also says goodbye to a time when his friends were his family and welcomes the chance to turn his family into his friends. After reuniting with his high-strung sister Gina (Drea de Matteo, "The Sopranos"), Joey moves in with Michael (Paulo Costanzo, "Road Trip"), his 20-year-old genius nephew, who unbelievably is literally a rocket scientist. However, what Joey lacks in book smarts he makes up for with people smarts - making him the best new friend his nephew could ask for. Ashley Scott ("Birds of Prey") also stars as Joey's attractive neighbor. "Joey" is produced by Warner Bros. Television. Kevin S. Bright ("Friends") returns as executive producer and director; Shana Goldberg and Scott Silveri (both "Friends") also return as executive producers and writers.

FATHER OF THE PRIDE -- NBC teams with the creative powerhouse studio that brought the world "Shrek," along with some all-star voices, to create a computer-generated-imaging (CGI) series of the highest caliber. Viewers will journey inside the lives of a pride of white lions who perform in the world-famous Siegfried and Roy show and will also explore their lush Las Vegas habitat. The lions are led by zoo-raised Larry (John Goodman, "Roseanne") and his wife Kate (Cheryl Hines, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"), a showbiz veteran. In fact, Kate's father, Sarmoti (Emmy winner Carl Reiner, "The Dick Van Dyke Show"), is a Las Vegas legend who is used to headlining the show. However, when Sarmoti's age begins to catch up with him, he reluctantly passes the crown to Larry -- and sets the Las Vegas "neighborhood" abuzz. Other animals in the mix include a mischievous gopher named Snack (Orlando Jones, "Magnolia"), a karaoke-performing orangutan, and an easily agitated pink flamingo. Oddly enough, their world is a lot like ours - except for the whole talking animals thing. CGI versions of Siegfried & Roy (voiced by Julian Holloway, "Michael Uncle Silas," and Dave Herman, "Office Space) will be featured in the series. Danielle Harris ("Rugrats Gone Wild") and Daryl Sabara, "Spy Kids") also star. "Father of the Pride" will be the first primetime television show with feature film-quality CGI animation. Created by Jeffrey Katzenberg ("Shrek") and developed by Jonathan Groff ("Late Night with Conan O'Brien"), the series is executive-produced by Katzenberg, Groff, Jon Pollack ("Spin City," "Just Shoot Me") and Peter Mehlman ("Seinfeld"). The series is produced by DreamWorks Television and DreamWorks Animation.


NEW DRAMAS

MEDICAL INVESTIGATION - Based on true accounts, these are the stories of the National Institute of Health, America's most elite unit of medical experts. But these doctors don't operate in a hospital. At a moment's notice, they're summoned anywhere in the country, authorized to take over treatment of any case. Each assignment is a life-or-death rescue against time and the leader is Stephen Connor (Neal McDonough, "Boomtown"), a doctor consumed by his job -- with a broken marriage to prove it. Equally passionate Dr. Natalie Durant (Kelli Williams, "The Practice") is the heart and soul of the team. Investigations are complicated by a harried government administrator who consistently pushes Bowman to go by the book, -- which is unlikely to happen. Completing the unit are a chief investigator Troy Winbush ("John Q."), the team's press liaison (Anna Belknap, "The Handler") and a young doctor (Christopher Gorham, "Jake 2.0") new to the team. A saltshaker, a cigarette butt, a flower petal -- anything could be the clue to crack the case. Part cop show, part medical drama - and a great hour of mystery. Michelle Ashford, Bob Cooper and Scott Vila are executive producers for this series from Paramount Network Television and NBC Universal Television. The pilot episode was written by co-executive producer Jason Horwitch and Michelle Ashford.

HAWAII - Hawaii can seduce just about anyone...cops and criminals alike. Murder, drug-running and organized cartels filter through the unique island culture to represent just some of the big-city casework that this big island police force confronts. Where else would cops discover a smoldering torso at the base of an active volcano? The diverse group of cops and detectives may work against a breathtaking backdrop of jungles and seascapes, but they can never take a vacation from the tangle of local and international criminals who constantly cross their paths. It's never a typical crime scene and these are not TV's typical cops - which is exactly what makes "Hawaii" so alluring. Michael Biehn ("Terminator"), Sharif Atkins (NBC's "ER"), Ivan Sergei (NBC's "Crossing Jordan"), Eric Balfour ("Six Feet Under"), Aya Sumika and Cary Tagawa star. Jeff Eastin is the creator and executive producer. Daniel Sackheim ("The Lyons Den") directs. "Hawaii" is from NBC Universal Television.

LAX - Television favorite Heather Locklear ("Spin City") returns to primetime -- full-time -- in this off-beat dramatic series centered in a world unto itself: a major international airport. Security breaches, tearful reunions, illegal immigrants, missing children, runaway animals, drug busts, drunken pilots -- there are countless stories to tell in "LAX." Whether it's the ongoing power struggle between the Airfield Chief (Locklear) and the Terminal Manager (Blair Underwood, "L.A. Law"), the romantic misadventures of the Airline Supervisor Tony (Paul Leyden, "As the World Turns") or the trial-by-fire of a young, naive Immigration Office clerk Nick (David Paetkau, "Final Destination 2"), viewers will be pulled into this unique world. Then there are the passengers, loading, unloading and passing through each episode. Each week will feature their compelling dramas -- from chance encounters between strangers to surprise reunions of long-lost lovers to - "the sky's the limit." Wendy Hoopes ("Daria"), Chad Todhunter ("Party of Five") and Frank John Hughes ("Band of Brothers") also star. "LAX" is from NBC Universal Television. Mark Gordon and writer Nick Thiel are the executive producers. Joe and Anthony Russo ("Lucky") directed the pilot.

ADDITIONAL SERIES

LAW & ORDER: TRIAL BY JURY - The television benchmark of crime and justice arrives with the fourth edition of the history-making phenomenon. In many respects, "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" represents the pinnacle of executive producer Dick Wolf's remarkable franchise: it's courtroom justice - pure, but not so simple. The ripped-from-the-headlines stories will be entirely court-based, with a feel of contemporary "Perry Mason" mystery offering trademark twisting toward resolution. The complicated cases will begin with a criminal arraignment and will take viewers through all the twists and turns of a trial. Audiences will see the judges, prosecutors, public defenders and other legal players like never before - inside their chambers and offices, inside their minds and machinations. Stars from other "Law & Order" series may also appear, though the real star will be the stories as they unfold, weaving a fascinating tale of legal drama as only "Law & Order" can. This series is from Wolf Films and NBC Universal Television.

CRAZY FOR YOU -- Welcome to the funny and highly unusual courtship of New Yorkers Nate (Josh Cooke, "Century City") and Marni (Emmy winner Jennifer Finnigan, NBC's "Crossing Jordan"). On the surface, they couldn't appear more different; Nate's the heir apparent to a long line of geniuses whose mental ability has caused them all to go insane. Then there's Marni, an occupational therapist and perpetual optimist, who ponders whether to take one more dip in the city's dating pool. Somehow, they meet and ironically find a connection that could become love. Although he's negative to a fault, she's likewise positive to a fault, so these total opposites may just be made for each other. Now they just have to figure that out if they don't get in the way first. Darius McCrary ("Kingpin"), Tammy Lynn Michaels ("The L Word") and Tom Poston ("Newhart") also star. Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline ("Three Sisters") wrote the pilot and serve as executive producers. Gary Halvorson (NBC's "Friends," "Everybody Loves Raymond") directs the pilot for this series from NBC Universal Television.

THE MEN'S ROOM -- Along a sunlit stretch of Southern California beachfront paradise co-exist the not-always-idyllic lives of next-door neighbors Charlie (Scott Cohen, "The Practice"), Bob (John Cho, "American Pie") and Michael (Eric Lively, "Uprising"). Charlie -- 42 and married for 20 years -- wonders if life, love and those gorgeous, young roller-blading babes are passing him by. At the other end of the generational spectrum, Michael is 22 going on 50-something, trying to be less "responsible" and a lot more "fun." Both men have no clue how to grasp the happiness that eludes them, so they turn to Bob, a 32-year-old budding male guru, in this comedy about guys helping guys be better guys. Suzanne Cryer ("Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place") and Shelly Cole ("Prey for Rock") also star. "The Men's Room" is produced by NBC Universal Television. Danny Zucker is the executive producer and writer. Marc Cendrowksi is the director of the pilot.

MEDIUM - In this drama, Allison Dubois (Patricia Arquette, "Stigmata," "Flirting with Disaster") sees dead people - and in fact, she hears them constantly too. No, she's not crazy, although her husband Joe (Jake Weber, "U-571"), a rocket scientist, thought that was a possibility at first. So did Allison herself, until she realized that her "gift" could not only change fate -- but provide justice for those who no longer had a voice. Don't think Allison is totally comfortable with all of this -- in fact, she's as creeped out as everyone else. Imagine a dead father-in-law popping up unexpectedly at the foot of someone's bed. Plus, there are the jarring slices of disturbing crime scenes that pepper Allison's thoughts, added to her ability to sometimes know exactly what those around her (dead or alive) are thinking. Luckily, Allison has a great sense of humor along with her sixth sense. Even Joe, whose whole career is based on logic and fact, has become a bemused believer. The real challenge is convincing law enforcement agencies around the country that Allison is the real deal. "Medium" is from Picturemaker Productions and Grammnet Productions in association with Paramount Network Television. Glenn Gordon Caron ("Moonlighting") and Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier") are executive producers.

REVELATIONS -- Bill Pullman ("Independence Day") stars as a scientist faced with the toughest personal, professional and philosophical challenges of his life. Dr. Richard Massey is searching for reasonable explanations -- to explain signs that seem to indicate the apocalyptic end as foretold in Scriptures is in motion. To save humanity, Massey will have to let go of scientific facts and embrace faith. His first step in his quest to conquer the impending evil is to align himself with a nun (Natascha McElhone, "Solaris") whose devout beliefs are unshakeable. Despite many obstacles, including their own fears and doubts, the two remain determined to prove that Man can regain control of fate. Time is literally running out in their thrilling, fast-paced race around the globe to thwart Armageddon -- and restore hope. Michael Massee ("Se7en"), newcomers Chelsea and Britney Coyle and Tobin Bell ("The Road to El Dorado") also star. "Revelations" is a production of Pariah. Vivian Cannon and Jessika Borsiczky will oversee the project for Pariah. "Revelations" is directed by David Semel (NBC's "American Dreams").

THE OFFICE -- Based on the popular British series of the same name, this faster-paced American version follows the daily interactions of a group of idiosyncratic office employees via a documentary film crew's cameras. Regional manager Michael (Steve Carell, "Bruce Almighty") thinks he's the coolest, funniest, best boss ever - which, of course, makes him the uncoolest, most obnoxious and annoying boss as far as his staff is concerned. His co-worker Jim (John Krasinski, "Kinsey") lusts after engaged receptionist Pam (Jenna Fischer, "Miss Match") when he's not sabotaging his "cube-mate" -- the know-it-all Dwight (Rainn Wilson, "Six Feet Under"). Meanwhile, the entire office is constantly worried about the impending staff cuts. Will there be layoffs? Will there be office romance? Will Michael ever shut up? If it's truly a typical office, then the answers are "maybe," "yes," and "absolutely not." B.J. Novak ("Raising Dad") also stars. Ben Silverman, Greg Daniels, Howard Kelin, Golden Globe winner Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are the executive producers. Ken Kwapis executive-produced and directed the pilot. The series is produced by Reveille in association with NBC Universal Television.

THE CONTENDER - "The Contender" will follow 16 aspiring boxers from training camp through an evolving series of ring challenges and boxing matches over 16 episodes - with the final victor claiming a million dollar prize. The driving force behind the series will be the pursuit of the American dream and the natural trials, tribulations and heartbreak inherent in that quest combined with the drama and tension of the sweet science. The canvas of the show is much broader than boxing - it will give viewers a first hand look into the real life hopes, triumphs and defeats of the contestants. "The Contender" will be a joint production of Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television and Rogue Marble. Stallone, Burnett and Katzenberg are the executive producers.

FOR LOVE OR MONEY 4 - "For Love or Money 4" - the newest version of last summer's hottest unscripted drama -- returns for a fourth edition. Jordan Murphy ("Boston Public") returns as host of the series, guiding the 16 beautiful female contestants through the numerous twists and turns as they try to win the heart of a handsome and charming bachelor. The upcoming season of "For Love or Money" breaks new ground by introducing an all-new game and a whole new twist. This summer, they women are forced to answer the question "What is the price of love?," since they are each playing for an undisclosed amount between $1 and $1 million. Although the
women do not know the value of their checks, their handsome suitor will, leading them all back to the ultimate question . . . who is in it for love and who is in it for money? "For Love or Money" is a production of Nash Entertainment & 3 Ball Productions. Bruce Nash (NBC's "Who Wants to Marry My Dad?," "Mr. Personality") is the executive producer, along with J.D. Roth ("Endurance," "Moolah Beach"), Todd Nelson ("Endurance," "Moolah Beach") and John Foy ("The Martin Short Show").

AVERAGE JOE - The next installment of the NBC smash series "Average Joe" that posed the challenge: Can a drop-dead gorgeous woman actually fall for an ordinary-looking guy? "Average Joe" is from NBC Universal Television; the executive producers are Stuart Krasnow ("Average Joe," "Weakest Link") and Andrew Glassman ("Average Joe").

 

[Mikel_Cooperman]

More Medical shows, yet another Law and Order spinoff, a rip off of The Office and more Reality shows plus Joey. Doesnt sound promising.
The LAX show sounds like Love Boat in an airport. Another strike.

 

[LorenzoL]

I guess it's official, both Ed and Miss Match are cancelled and gone to TV heaven (or hell) depending whether you were fan of the shows or not. :frowning:

More "Average Joe" and "For the love or money", great more crappy reality shows.

Does anybody want to bet that the remake of the "Office" will be worse than last year "Coupling".

 

[Jason Seaver]

So, I notice Crossing Jordan is losing two cast members, though it's newer characters they can afford to lose. Think Jerry O'Connell will finally be promoted to regular?

Anyway, it's an NBC schedule, which means some pretty impressive casts - just look at Medical Investigation, Hawaii, and Revelations. NBC likes to lean on that, though.

That also seems like a pretty deep bench for so many returning series. I'm guessing that recognize that the relatively early post-Olympic start means they have more rerun time to fill than the other networks, and are acknowledging that The West Wing and other serialized shows (I'm guessing LAX here) don't rerun well, so they'll just be yanked and something else plugged in. I keep waiting and hoping for this strategy to work, but it hasn't yet - see Strange World and Line of Fire subbing for NYPD Blue or the Felicity/Jack & Jill timeshare.

 

[Jim Beaver]

I can't believe Happy Family is canceled. This sucks. I really liked that show it was so hillarious. They should put it on DVD.

 

[Marty M]

I suspected that Ed was not going to be renewed since Ed and Carol got married. I really enjoyed this show and will miss it.

 

[Mikel_Cooperman]

I was looking at thefutoncritic.com and it looks like WB had decided not to go with Dark Shadows.ON Wednesdays they have something called Blue Collar TV in place of Angel.

 

[Valerie G.]

I'm glad to see NBC is keeping the 3 shows of theirs that I watch. I always watched Ed and Frasier, but I knew they weren't coming back. :frowning:

I'm nervously awaiting Wednesday, for the CBS announcement. CBS has always been really good at canceling the shows that I like, and I'm especially nervous this year. Three of my shows, The Guardian, The District, and Hack are all "on the bubble". I'm sure they'll get rid of Hack, and I've made peace with that, but I really thought The Guardian would be back, but from what I've been reading today, that may not be the case. :frowning: The District, I can take it or leave it, although I usually watch it. I'm just going to be ticked if they get rid of all three of these!!

So, until Wednesday, here's hoping......

 

[Mikel_Cooperman]

This is not good news....

The big news is that the network is expected to shelve the fourth season of "Alias" until midseason in order to give newcomer "Desperate Housewives" a higher profile launch on Sunday nights. "Alias" would then return in January for the an uninterrupted run.

 

[Travis_S]

Yeah, that Alias news to me indicates that the end could be near. I'm thinking next season could be its last. I'm hoping next season improves with the addition of Jeffrey Bell and Drew Goddard from Angel.

On other ABC shows - "Lost" intrigues me and I'm going to give it a shot. It would be a good way for me to fill that Wednesday "Angel" gap.

 

[Brian_FSullivan]

TWO NEW COMEDIES, SEVEN NEW DRAMAS, TWO NEW ALTERNATIVE SERIES JOIN ABC’S 2004-2005 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

In Addition to the Previously Announced David E. Kelley Legal Drama, “The Practice: Fleet Street,” ABC Adds “The Benefactor,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Life As We Know It,” “Lost,” “Rodney,” “Savages” and “Wife Swap” to its Fall Lineup

“Blind Justice” to Premiere at the Conclusion of “NYPD Blue”; “Alias” to Premiere at the Conclusion of “Desperate Housewives”; “Eyes” and “Grey’s Anatomy” Also Slated for Midseason

“8 Simple Rules” and “Less than Perfect” Also Renewed for Fall

Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Primetime Entertainment, today outlined ABC’s plans for next season and announced the network’s new 2004-2005 fall schedule. The new schedule includes the addition of eight new entertainment series -- two comedies, four dramas and two alternative series -- plus three midseason dramas.

Mr. McPherson spoke before representatives of the advertising and media communities at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York.

The new fall schedule includes new comedy series “Rodney” and “Savages,” dramas “Desperate Housewives,” “Life As We Know It,” “Lost” and “The Practice: Fleet Street,” and new alternative series “Wife Swap” and “The Benefactor.”

In addition Mr. McPherson announced three drama series for midseason: “Blind Justice,” “Eyes” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. McPherson said: “Every night we ask tens of millions of Americans to invite us into their homes, and it’s our responsibility to give them a reason to let us stay. I believe these programs, and this schedule, does just that.”

ABC’s complete 22-hour fall primetime schedule, which will premiere in September, is as follows (all times listed are Eastern, with new shows in bold):

DAY TIME SERIES

MONDAY:
8:00 p.m. “The Benefactor”
9:00 p.m. “Monday Night Football” (through January)

(Following the culmination of Monday Night Football in January)

8:00 p.m. ABC Monday Night Movie (in January after football)
10:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy” (in January after football)

TUESDAY:
8:00 p.m. “My Wife and Kids” (new night)
8:30 p.m. “George Lopez” (new night and time)
9:00 p.m. “According to Jim”
9:30 p.m. “Rodney”
10:00 p.m. “NYPD Blue” / “Blind Justice” (midseason)

WEDNESDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Lost”
9:00 p.m. “The Bachelor”
10:00 p.m. “Wife Swap”

THURSDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Extreme Makeover” (new time period)
9:00 p.m. “Life As We Know It”
10:00 p.m. “Primetime Live” (new title)

FRIDAY:
8:00 p.m. “8 Simple Rules” (new night)
8:30 p.m. “Savages”
9:00 p.m. “Hope & Faith”
9:30 p.m. “Less than Perfect” (new night)
10:00 p.m. “20/20”

SATURDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Wonderful World of Disney”

SUNDAY:
7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
9:00 p.m. “Desperate Housewives” / “Alias” (midseason)
10:00 p.m. “The Practice: Fleet Street”

Descriptions of the 11 entertainment series joining ABC’s primetime schedule next season, listed in alphabetical order, follow (all times are Eastern):

“The Benefactor” (one-hour alternative series, Monday, 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) – What would you do for a million dollars? Billionaire businessman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is about to find out because he is “The Benefactor,” and he’s set to give away a million bucks to a complete stranger. Why has he agreed to give away such a large sum of money? Because he can’t wait to figure out how America’s applicants will prove to him that they deserve it! Sixteen contestants will vie for the money in a competition full of emotional, dramatic challenges – tests of character, intelligence, heart and maybe a little bit of luck.

Credits:
Executive Producers: David Young, Clay Newbill and Todd Wagner
Production Entities: 12 Yard Productions, 29 29 Productions

“Desperate Housewives” (one-hour drama, Sunday, 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) -- Looking down on her friends and family isn’t a way of life for Mary Alice Scott. It’s a way of death. One day, in her perfect house, in the loveliest of suburbs, Mary Alice ended it all. Now she’s taking us into the lives of her family, friends and neighbors, commenting from her elevated POV. Her husband’s acting suspicious, the neighbors are talking, and her girlfriends are wondering why one of their own would do something so rash… and so messy.

There's Susan, the divorcée who goes to extraordinary lengths for love. Lynette, the ex-career woman who traded the boardroom for boredom, mixed with moments of sheer panic. Bree, the Martha Stewart on steroids, whose family is about to mutiny. And Gabrielle, the ex-model with everything she always wanted – a rich husband, a big house – so what is she doing with the 17-year-old gardener? As for Mary Alice’s husband, Paul, there must be a good reason why he’s digging up the pool in the middle of the night.

From her unique vantage point, Mary Alice sees more now than she ever did alive, and she’s planning to share all the delicious secrets that hide behind every neighbor’s closed door in this seemingly perfect American suburb. The writer of “Melrose Place” and “General Hospital” (executive producer Charles Pratt Jr.) has helped create a primetime soap with a truly contemporary take on happily ever after.

Cast:
Sheryl Lee (“Twin Peaks”): Mary Alice Scott
Mark Moses (“Saving Jessica Lynch”): Paul Young
Cody Kasch (“Normal, Ohio”): Zack Young
Teri Hatcher (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”): Susan Mayer
Andrea Bowen (“That Was Then”): Jenna Mayer
Marcia Cross (“Melrose Place,” “Everwood”): Bree Van De Kamp
Michael Reilly Burke (“Providence”): Rex Van De Kamp
Felicity Huffman (“Sports Night”): Lynette Scavo
Eva Longoria (“Dragnet”): Gabrielle Solis
Ricardo Antonio Chavira (“The Alamo”): Carlos Solis
James Denton (“The Pretender”): Mike Delfino
Kyle Searles (“7th Heaven”): John

Credits:
Executive Producer/Writer: Marc Cherry (“The Golden Girls”)
Executive Producers: Charles Pratt Jr. (“Melrose Place”), Michael Edelstein (“Threat Matrix”), Tom Spezialy (“The District,” “Ed”)
Pilot Director: Charles McDougall
Production Entity: Touchstone Television

“Life As We Know It” (one-hour drama, Thursday, 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) -- They say teenage boys think about sex every 15 seconds. That’s 240 times an hour. And in between they cram everything else: Cheating moms. Interfering dads. Sex. Secret crushes. Pop quizzes. Sex. Clueless teachers. School cliques. Sex. It’s enough to make a kid’s head explode.

Melvin Burgess’ breakthrough novel is the basis for this series about three hormone-charged teenage boys who are trying to do something even harder than losing their virginity, and that’s to grow up without totally freaking out. There’s Dino, the handsome jock with the secret sensitive side; Jonathan, the artist who sees life through a camera lens; and Ben, the straight-A student who still can’t make his parents happy. You know them. You grew up with them. Maybe you were them.

This coming of age drama in the tradition of “Stand By Me” and “The Outsiders” comes to ABC from the writers of “Freaks & Geeks” and “Just Shoot Me.”

Cast:
Sean Faris (MTV’s “Undressed”): Dino Whitman
Jon Foster (“Life As a House”): Ben Conner
Chris Lowell: Jonathan Fields
Missy Peregrym: Jackie
Kelly Osbourne (MTV’s “The Osbournes”): Deborah
D.B. Sweeney (“Brother Bear”): Michael Whitman
Lisa Darr (“Popular”): Annie Whitman
Marguerite Moreau (“Runaway Jury”): Ms. Monica Young
Jessica Lucas: Sue

Credits:
Executive Producers/Writers: Gabe Sachs (“Freaks & Geeks,” “Just Shoot Me”), Jeff Judah (“Freaks & Geeks,” “Just Shoot Me”)
Executive Producers: Stu Bloomberg, Francie Calfo
Co-Executive Producer/Pilot Director: Michael Engler (“Keen Eddie”)
Production Entities: Sachs/Judah, Cabloom!, Touchstone Television

“Lost” (one-hour drama, Wednesday, 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) -- Out of the blackness the first thing Jack senses is pain. Then burning sun. A Bamboo forest. Smoke. Screams. With a rush comes the horrible awareness that the plane he was on tore apart in mid-air and crashed on a Pacific island. From there it’s a blur, as his doctor’s instinct kicks in: people need his help.

Stripped of everything, the 48 survivors scavenge what they can from the plane for their survival. Some panic. Some pin their hopes on rescue. A few find inner strength they never knew they had—like Kate who, with no medical training, suddenly finds herself suturing the doctor’s wounds. The band of friends, family, enemies and strangers must work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain. But the intense howls of the mysterious creatures stalking the jungle fill them all with fear. Fortunately, thanks to the calm leadership of quick-thinking Jack and level-headed Kate, they have hope. But even heroes have secrets, as the survivors will come to learn.

From J.J. Abrams, the creator of “Alias,” comes an action-packed adventure that will bring out the very best and the very worst in the people who are lost.

Cast:
Evangeline Lilly: Kate
Ian Somerhalder (“Life As a House”): Boone
Dominic Monaghan (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy): Charlie
Jorge Garcia: Hurley
Maggie Grace (“Oliver Beene”): Shannon
Malcolm David Kelley (“Antwone Fisher”): Walt
Naveen Andrews (“The English Patient”): Sayid
Harold Perrineau (“Oz”): Michael
Josh Holloway: Sawyer
Matthew Fox (“Party of Five”): Jack
Terry O'Quinn (“Primal Fear”): Locke
Daniel Dae Kim (“24”): Jin
Yunjin Kim: Sun

Credits: Executive Producers/Writers: J. J. Abrams (“Alias,” “Felicity”), Damon Lindelof (“Crossing Jordan”), Executive Producer: Bryan Burk (“Alias”)
Pilot Director: J. J. Abrams
Production Entities: Bad Robot, Touchstone Television

”The Practice: Fleet Street” (one-hour drama, Sunday, 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) – Alan Shore and Denny Crane lead the brigade of high-priced civil litigators in an upscale Boston law firm in a series focusing on the professional and personal lives of brilliant, but often emotionally-challenged, attorneys. Fast-paced, darkly comedic, the series will confront social issues, moral conscience, safe sex, pursuit of happiness and money, with varying degrees of priority. Escape to the law firm on One Fleet Street.—where anything goes… and often will.

Cast:
James Spader (“The Practice”): Alan Shore
William Shatner (“The Practice,” “Star Trek”): Denny Crane
Rhona Mitra (“The Practice,” “Sweet Home Alabama”): Tara Wilson
Lake Bell (“The Practice,” “Miss Match”): Sally Heep

Credits:
Executive Producer/Writer: David E. Kelley (“The Practice,” “Ally McBeal,” “Picket Fences”)
Executive Producer: Bill D’Elia (“The Practice,” “Chicago Hope”)
Production Entities: David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television

“Rodney” (half-hour comedy, Tuesday, 9:30-10:00 p.m., ET) -- Stand-up comedian Rodney Carrington would like to take you to the middle of real, everyday America. In the tradition of “Home Improvement” and “Roseanne” comes a down-to-earth guy’s guy who, with his own heartland intelligence, speaks the truth.

Rodney is quitting or getting fired from jobs he hates while doing stand-up in dive bars at night. He may not have much money, but he still finds excitement. He’s not afraid to walk into a department store naked on a dare. Not afraid to take credit for flowers someone else sent his wife. Not afraid to get between his fighting boys. Not afraid to tell his wife he wants to make stand-up his career. He’s going to figure out how to find happiness while being the best damn husband, dad and son he knows how to be.

Cast:
Rodney Carrington: Rodney Hamilton
Jennifer Aspen (“Party of Five”): Trina Hamilton
Amy Pietz (“Caroline in the City”): Charlie
Nick Searcy: Barry
Oliver Davis: Jack Hamilton
Matthew Josten: Bo Hamilton

Credits:
Executive Producer/Writer: Ric Swartzlander (“The Ellen Show”)
Executive Producer: David Himelfarb (“My Wife and Kids”)
Pilot Director: Robert Berlinger
Production Entity: Touchstone Television

“Savages” (half-hour comedy, Friday, 8:30-9:00 p.m., ET) – Meet the Savage brothers. They smell. They’re slobs. And they love it that way. Executive producer Mel Gibson’s real life experiences of raising a brood of boys provide the basis for a take-no-prisoners comedy.

Raised by their single dad, the Savage boys have had a succession of housekeepers – over 20 at last count – to pick up after them. Well, today that comes to an end. Dad Nick wants his boys to learn the skills women don’t seem to take so much joy in anymore – you know, cooking, cleaning, laundry. Somehow this dad is going to turn his loutish boys into independent men, the kind any girl could take home to her mother. This is going to be some battle because Nick, just like his sons, is still a boy at heart.

Producers Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully, writers for “The Simpsons,” add their own family experience into the mix for a funny, honest take on raising kids. It reminds us that children come with their own personalities and problems, and that none of them comes with instructions.

Cast:
Keith Carradine (“Deadwood”): Nick
Andrew Eiden: Sam
Shaun Sipos (“Final Destination 2”): Jack
Erik von Detten (“The Princess Diaries”): Chris
Evan Ellingson: Kyle
Jason Dolley: T.J.
Vincent Ventresca (“Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion”): Jimmy

Credits:
Executive Producers/Writers: Mike Scully (“The Simpsons,” “Everybody Loves Raymond”), Julie Thacker-Scully (“The Simpsons”)
Executive Producer/Pilot Director: Mel Gibson
Executive Producer: Bruce Davey
Production Entities: Nothing Can Go Wrong Now Productions and Icon Productions in association with NBC Universal Television

“Wife Swap” (one-hour alternative series, Wednesday, 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) -- Already a smash hit in the UK and most recently awarded a BAFTA, the UK’s most prestigious television award, “Wife Swap” gives two families the rare opportunity to witness what it’s like to live someone else’s life and experiences. Two matriarchs from two households trade places for 10 days. For the first five days of the challenge, they must obey the rules of the new family’s lifestyle and adopt their daily routine – parenting, shopping, housework, creating budgets and social life. For the remaining five days, these women get to run the new house their own way – a radical shock to both families. This intense new series taps into America’s voyeuristic tendencies and desires to judge how others run their households, raise their children and treat their spouses. Never before has a reality series taken such an honest inside look at the American family.

Credits:
Executive Producers: Michael Davies, Stephen Lambert, Jenny Crowther
Production Entities: RDF Media, Diplomatic

MIDSEASON

“Blind Justice” (one-hour drama, Tuesday, 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET—at the conclusion of “NYPD Blue”) -- A heist gone wrong. A gunman with an AK-47. Three officers trapped without ammo. His partner frozen in fear, Detective Jim Dunbar – without hesitation—took action of intense bravery that killed the gunman, saved the officers and made him a hero. He also took a bullet that blinded him forever.

Most officers injured in the line of duty opt for desk jobs or early retirement. Not Dunbar. He’s rehabilitated both body and attitude and fought his way back to active duty. His fresh start at a new precinct is threatened by the simple truth that no one really wants him to work there. His new partner, Karen Bettencourt, sure as hell doesn’t trust him to cover her back. They’re all in for the shock of their lives, because being blind makes Dunbar a better cop than he ever has been.

Steven Bochco’s new drama stars “ER’s” Ron Eldard as Dunbar, and tackles the issue of handicapped employees head-on. Unique visual effects give us a window on what Dunbar “sees” with his remaining senses, as he learns to be a better cop and a better man. He has a long way to go to conquer his demons, but at least he’s back on the streets.

Cast:
Ron Eldard (“ER”): Detective Jim Dunbar
Marisol Nichols (“Resurrection Blvd.”): Karen Bettancourt
Rena Sofer (“Just Shoot Me”): Christie Dunbar
Reno Wilson (“The Hoop Life”): Tom Selway
Frank Grillo (“Minority Report”): Marty Russo
Michael Gaston (“High Crimes”): Lt. Gary Fisk

Credits:
Executives Producers/Writers: Nicholas Wootton (“NYPD Blue”), Matt Olmstead (“NYPD Blue”), Bill Clark (“NYPD Blue”)
Executive Producer: Steven Bochco (“NYPD Blue”)
Pilot Director: Gary Fleder
Production Entities: Steven Bochco Productions, Paramount Television

“Eyes” (one-hour drama) -- When you’re in trouble or faced with an insurmountable problem… When you can’t risk adverse publicity or turning to the cops... When you’ve got everything to lose, but can still afford their fees... You turn to Judd Risk Management, a 21st century P.I. firm whose job is to make their clients’ problems go away, quickly and quietly.

With each case able to destroy a company, topple a personal fortune or change the face of governments, this isn’t just a business; it’s a deadly game with real victims. Founder Harlan Judd has recruited a team whose personal dramas are as colorful as some of their targets. But he is an honest man in a world that demands unorthodox methods and a willingness to bend the law.

From the producer of “Fastlane” comes a drama full of bluffs, blackmails and intrigue.

Cast:
Tim Daly (“Wings,” “Stephen King’s Storm of the Century”): Harlan Judd
Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon (“NYPD Blue”): Nora Shea
Reg Rogers (“Analyze That”): Danny Agermeyer
Natalie Zea (“Passions”): Trish Agermeyer
A.J. Langer (“My So-Called Life”): Meg Bardo
Rick Worthy (“Collateral Damage”): Chris Didion
Laura Leighton (“Melrose Place”): Leslie Town
Eric Mabius (“The L Word”): Jeff McCann

Credits:
Executive Producer/Writer: John McNamara (“Fastlane,” “Profit”)
Pilot Director: John Amiel
Production Entities: McNamara Paper Products, Warner Bros. Television

“Grey’s Anatomy” (one-hour drama, Monday, 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET – at the conclusion of Monday Night Football) -- Welcome to Grace Hospital. The toughest surgical residency program west of Harvard. It’s a brutal training ground for the newest medical recruits.

Meet Meredith, Izzie and Christina. Yesterday they were students. Today they’re doctors. And if they can make it through seven years of the finest hell Grace has to offer, they’ll be surgeons. But the rest of life doesn’t stop just because their residency is tough, so this trio will also have to deal with jealous boyfriends and sick parents, one night stands and housing crises, with only each other to rely on.

From Shonda Rhimes, the writer of “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,” comes a series about young women who are doctors; and doctors who are still young women.

Cast:
Ellen Pompeo (“Old School,” “Catch Me If You Can”): Meredith Grey
Patrick Dempsey (“Once & Again”): Derek Shepherd
James Pickens, Jr. (“How Stella Got Her Groove Back”): Richard Webber
T.R. Knight: George O'Malley
Sandra Oh (“Under the Tuscan Sun,” “Arliss”): Christina Yang
Katherine Heigl (“Roswell”): Isobel "Izzie" Stevens
Chandra Wilson: Miranda Bailey
Isaiah Washington (“Out of Sight”): Dr. Preston Burke

Credits:
Executive Producer/Writer: Shonda Rhimes (“Introducing Dorothy Dandridge”)
Executive Producers: Mark Gordon (“Saving Private Ryan”), James Parriott (“Threat Matrix”), Betsy Beers (“200 Cigarettes”)
Pilot Director: Peter Horton
Production Entity: Touchstone Television

 

[Jason Seaver]

Peculiar choices by ABC, especially not having any backup comedies despite a lot that are new or could collapse (I'm sort of surprised 8 Simple Rules got a third year). Also not on the list is JJ Abrahm's bounty hunter show; does that mean Grunberg will be sticking around Alias?

And while I don't think unscripted shows are a fad, I do think that ABC's got a lot and most of them are on the tacky side. I think this schedule's going to implode and implode ugly.

EDIT: Wow... While looking at the pic on Brian's site, I'm sort of stunned by how much the title shot for "Life as We Know It" brings "My So Called Life" to mind. Think it's deliberate?

 

[Patrick Sun]

So, do the wives go all the way in "Wife Swap"?

 

[Brian_FSullivan]

THE WB ANNOUNCES 2004-2005 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

TWO POWERFUL DRAMAS: "JACK & BOBBY" FROM GREG BERLANTI AND THOMAS SCHLAMME AND "THE MOUNTAIN" FROM McG; THREE NEW COMEDIES: JEFF FOXWORTHY IN "BLUE COLLAR TV," "DREW CAREY'S GREEN SCREEN SHOW" AND SUPER-PRODUCER MARK BURNETT'S FIRST SCRIPTED SERIES "COMMANDO NANNY;" AND A NEW REALITY/GAME SHOW: "STUDIO 7" FROM MICHAEL DAVIES

ALL SIX RETURNING DRAMAS REMAIN IN THEIR CURRENT TIME PERIODS

ON SUNDAY, "JACK & BOBBY," STARRING OSCAR, EMMY AND GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS CHRISTINE LAHTI AND EXPLOSIVE NEWCOMERS MATTHEW LONG, LOGAN LERMAN AND JESSICA PARÉ, FILLS THE KEY POST-"CHARMED" TIMESLOT AT 9:00, WHILE NEW ONE-HOUR "STEVE HARVEY'S BIG TIME" COMEDY/VARIETY SHOW KICKS OFF SUNDAYS AT 7:00

MONDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHTS' STRONG ALL-DRAMA LINEUPS REMAIN INTACT WITH RATINGS CHAMP "7TH HEAVEN" AND CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED "EVERWOOD" ON MONDAY, AND CRITICS' FAVORITE "GILMORE GIRLS" AND THE WB'S FASTEST-GROWING SERIES "ONE TREE HILL" ON TUESDAY

"SMALLVILLE" REMAINS THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT ANCHOR, LEADING INTO TWO UNIQUE, MALE-SKEWING HALF-HOUR COMEDIES: JEFF FOXWORTHY'S "BLUE COLLAR TV" AND "DREW CAREY'S GREEN SCREEN SHOW"

ON THURSDAY, OLIVER HUDSON AND BARBARA HERSHEY HEAD A STELLAR ENSEMBLE CAST IN "THE MOUNTAIN," A DRAMA ABOUT FAMILY LOYALTY, LOVE AND BETRAYAL, SET IN A GLAMOROUS MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT, FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL DAVIES' "STUDIO 7"

ON FRIDAY, ONE NEWCOMER JOINS THREE VETERAN COMEDIES, STARTING AT 8:00 WITH AMANDA BYNES IN "WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU," FOLLOWED BY "COMMANDO NANNY," A NEW COMEDY BASED ON THE LIFE OF REALITY PRODUCER MARK BURNETT, WHILE "REBA," THE NETWORK'S NUMBER ONE COMEDY, RELOCATES TO 9:00, FOLLOWED BY RETURNING HIT "GROUNDED FOR LIFE"

MIDSEASON PROGRAMS INCLUDE NEW REALITY SERIES FROM PRODUCER MARK BURNETT, HALF-HOUR COMEDY "SHACKING UP," DRAMAS "ROCKY POINT" AND "GLOBAL FREQUENCY" AND REALITY SERIES FROM MIKE FLEISS, BRUCE NASH, JAMIE KENNEDY AND RDF

The WB Network's Chief Executive Officer, Jordan Levin, and Chairman, Garth Ancier, unveiled their 2004-2005 primetime schedule this morning in front of 4,000 advertisers, affiliates and national media, in a presentation that emphasized The WB's commitment to ratings growth during the 2004-2005 season. The presentation featured live appearances by Lenny Kravitz, who performed his new hit "Where Are We Running" and Gavin DeGraw, who performed the theme song for ONE TREE HILL, "I Don't Want to Be."

Two compelling dramas, three new comedies and a high-stakes reality series highlight the fall schedule, which promises more hours of original programming than ever before. JACK & BOBBY stars multiple-award-winning actress Christine Lahti as the single mother of two high school-aged brothers, one of whom will grow up to become a true visionary and one of the greatest United States Presidents of all time.

THE MOUNTAIN stars Oliver Hudson and feature film actress Barbara Hershey in the story of a family fighting for control of a beautiful ski resort in the mountains of Utah. Two new, non-traditional comedies debut on Wednesday night when Jeff Foxworthy and friends bring BLUE COLLAR TV to The WB, followed by DREW CAREY'S GREEN SCREEN SHOW, which combines improvisational comedy with high-tech green screen animation. COMMANDO NANNY, a new autobiographical comedy based on the life of reality mega-producer Mark Burnett, joins returning favorites on Friday night.

"This fall season, we celebrate our first decade by diversifying our unique portfolio of distinctive programming," said Mr. Levin. "From marquee dramas to sketch-comedy, animation to improv, variety to game shows, we have an eclectic, exciting mix of scripted and reality series with big-name comedy performers, award-winning actors and the young breakout stars that have become The WB's trademark."

SUNDAY NIGHT FEATURES THE RETURN OF "STEVE HARVEY'S BIG TIME" AND THE BEAUTIFUL WITCHES OF "CHARMED," FOLLOWED BY THE NEW DRAMA "JACK & BOBBY" STARRING CHRISTINE LAHTI

At 7:00 p.m., beloved WB star Steve Harvey will return with an hour of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in STEVE HARVEY'S BIG TIME. In its first season, the series grabbed big gains over the previous year¿s time period in all key demos, including a +33% gain in total viewers (3.3 million), a +14% increase in females 12-34 and women 18-34, as well as a +31% improvement in teens. At 8:00 p.m., the evening heats up with the trio of beautiful and sexy witches played by Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan and Holly Marie Combs when CHARMED returns for season seven. This past season, CHARMED ranked third in its time period among females 12-34 and second among teens and female teens.

At 9:00 p.m., the highly anticipated new drama JACK & BOBBY makes its debut. Directed by the incomparable David Nutter ("Smallville," "Without a Trace"), JACK & BOBBY is a snapshot of a young man being molded to beat the odds and become this mid-century's greatest presidential leader. The series is from creator/executive producer Greg Berlanti ("Everwood," "Dawson's Creek"), creator/co-executive producer Vanessa Taylor ("Everwood"), creators Steve Cohen and Brad Meltzer and executive producers Mickey Liddell ("Everwood," "Go") and Thomas Schlamme ("The West Wing," "Ally McBeal").

"On Sundays, CHARMED has stood as an island of success for over a year," Mr. Levin said. "The addition of a strong lead-out in JACK & BOBBY and, for the first time in many seasons, the benefit of an original lead-in with STEVE HARVEY'S BIG TIME. BIG TIME is just that: a big, broad-appeal show that is easy to enter at any time during the hour and delivered promising numbers last season in a tough Thursday timeslot. We think the return of a variety hour to Sunday's family hour will be most welcome.

"At 9:00, we have enlisted the two men responsible for two of television's more compelling appointment programs. Thomas Schlamme and Greg Berlanti are masters of the form, and their partnership has resulted in a creation that I both embrace and adore for its ambition and boldness. I strongly believe that against the backdrop of a politically charged year in which questions of character and leadership will be at the center of our national debate, JACK & BOBBY has the potential to do what television does best, and nobody does it better than Greg Berlanti and Thomas Schlamme."

Also on Sundays, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., as part of The WB's Easy View, the breakout hit drama ONE TREE HILL will have an encore presentation each week, followed by a replay of the new drama THE MOUNTAIN.

MONDAY IS THE HOME ADDRESS FOR QUALITY FAMILY DRAMA

Mondays at 8:00 p.m. will continue to be the place the Camden family calls home when 7TH HEAVEN returns for its ninth season. Next season, David Gallagher will return as Simon Camden. In its eighth season, 7TH HEAVEN remained The WB's highest-rated program among total viewers, females 12-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49. The critically acclaimed drama EVERWOOD has proven to be a good neighbor for 7TH HEAVEN. Starring Treat Williams, EVERWOOD ranks among the top 10 primetime dramas on any network among teens and female teens.

THE WINNING COMBINATION OF "GILMORE GIRLS" AND "ONE TREE HILL" STAYS PUT ON TUESDAY

The witty and wickedly entertaining GILMORE GIRLS will return for its fifth season in the 8:00 p.m. timeslot. Up against "American Idol" this past season, GILMORE GIRLS placed #2 in its time period among females 12-34, teens and female teens. The series also tied for #3 among women 18-34 and ranked among the top 10 primetime dramas on any network among teens and female teens. The breakout hit drama ONE TREE HILL continued to gain momentum in its freshman season, scoring new series highs in recent weeks. Since returning to originals in April, ONE TREE HILL ranked #1 in its time period in females 12-34, female teens and teens.

"Next season, 7TH HEAVEN and GILMORE GIRLS are getting back to their roots and will deliver what fans have been wanting to see," said Mr. Levin. "The timeslots occupied by EVERWOOD and ONE TREE HILL will stay fresher on a year-round basis as we'll avoid long stretches of repeats with extended arcs of first-run episodes, supplemented by additional new programming, replacing the normal repeat cycle for EVERWOOD and ONE TREE HILL, thus assuring year-to-year timeslot growth."

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS GO FROM SUPERNATURAL TO SUPER FUNNY WHEN "SMALLVILLE" TEAMS UP WITH JEFF FOXWORTHY AND DREW CAREY

SMALLVILLE, The WB's number one show in 12-34, 18-34 ratings and all male demographics, kicks off Wednesday nights, followed by comedy with BLUE COLLAR TV at 9:00 p.m. and DREW CAREY'S GREEN SCREEN SHOW at 9:30 p.m. The addition of two unique comedy series from two world-class comedians - Jeff Foxworthy and Drew Carey - will make Wednesday an uncommonly entertaining night next fall.

"Wednesday night, SMALLVILLE presents a clear male alternative to a broadcast landscape dominated by female-skewing programming," said Mr. Levin. "It took audiences a little while longer than we would have liked to find SMALLVILLE on Wednesdays at 8:00, but once they did, SMALLVILLE reasserted itself as not only our number one series, but our strongest series with all male viewers. We're using that strength to deliver our two male comedies the strongest lead-in possible. While comedies have not always performed well coming out of dramas, BLUE COLLAR TV and DREW CAREY'S GREEN SCREEN SHOW represent two non-traditional forms of programming which are key in attracting young men."

THURSDAY NIGHTS ARE REINVENTED WITH A NEW DRAMA AND A NEW REALITY SERIES

Thursday nights will be reinvigorated with the addition of the sexy new drama THE MOUNTAIN at 8:00 p.m., followed by the intense new reality series STUDIO 7 at 9:00 p.m. Featuring a strong ensemble cast headed by Oliver Hudson ("Dawson's Creek") and Barbara Hershey ("Hannah and Her Sisters") and a glamorous ski resort setting, THE MOUNTAIN follows a free spirit (Hudson) who suddenly finds himself fighting to protect the family business from in-fighting and a rival developer out to take it all away. STUDIO 7, from producer Michael Davies ("Who Wants To Be a Millionaire"), mixes the reality and game show genres to produce a radically new quiz show seen from the contestants' point of view.

"THE MOUNTAIN presents us with a tremendous opportunity to extend our trademark style of drama to Thursday nights," Mr. Levin said. "It was not long ago that Thursdays at 8:00 served as a hospitable environment to launch dramas like POPULAR and GILMORE GIRLS. We believe there's nothing but upside to leading off Thursday nights with THE MOUNTAIN.

"9:00 is perhaps the toughest timeslot in all of primetime. By scheduling a fresh, alternative form like the game show STUDIO 7, we believe we have the opportunity to attract younger viewers looking for something different. Thursday nights may just offer us the greatest year-to-year growth potential of any night on any network schedule."

THE FRIDAY NIGHT LAUGHS JUST KEEP ON COMING

The WB's Friday comedy lineup kicks off with the return of WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU with teen superstar Amanda Bynes at 8:00 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., COMMANDO NANNY makes its debut. This engaging new comedy based on the life of reality producer Mark Burnett ("Survivor," "The Apprentice") stars Philip Winchester ("Thunderbirds") and veteran television star Gerald McRaney ("Major Dad"). The WB's hit comedy REBA relocates to its original timeslot, Fridays at 9:00 p.m. Finally, the hit comedy GROUNDED FOR LIFE slides to 9:30 p.m.

"The return of three well-established comedies in REBA, GROUNDED FOR LIFE and WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU to original timeslots on Friday nights, plus the addition of the charming new comedy COMMANDO NANNY, creates a far better program flow than we scheduled last season," Mr. Levin continued. " Additionally, in Reba McEntire and Amanda Bynes we have multi-media female stars who we are proud to have on our network."

MIDSEASON SERIES

In addition to the four new comedies on the schedule for fall, The WB has also ordered the midseason comedy SHACKING UP starring Fran Drescher ("The Nanny") as a woman with a twenty-something son and a twenty-something boyfriend. Drama pilots ROCKY POINT and GLOBAL FREQUENCY will also be available for midseason.

REALITY SERIES

Also waiting in the wings for midseason is a lineup of reality shows from premier reality television producers, including a brand new series from Mark Burnett; BIG MAN ON CAMPUS and the third installment of HIGH SCHOOL REUNION from Mike Fleiss; WANNABES from executive producer Jamie Kennedy; and two top secret series: one from producer Bruce Nash and another from British production company RDF.

MOVIES AND SPECIALS

The WB has made a significant investment in movies and this year it starts to pay off with the world broadcast premiere of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING in November. Additional titles include ZOOLANDER, RAT RACE, TUCK EVERLASTING, SAVE THE LAST DANCE and 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS. Specials will include THE SIXTH ANNUAL FAMILY TV AWARDS and THE CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS, as well as the first made-for-television movie from The WB, SAMANTHA: AN AMERICAN GIRL HOLIDAY.

SUMMER

The WB confirmed an aggressive summer schedule that includes PEPSI SMASH in May, SUMMERLAND in June and the early premieres of STUDIO 7 and BLUE COLLAR TV.

THE WB's 2004-2005 PRIMETIME PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (All times ET)

Sunday
5:00-6:00 p.m. Easy View presentation of "One Tree Hill"
6:00-7:00 p.m. Easy View presentation of "THE MOUNTAIN"
7:00-8:00 p.m. "Steve Harvey's Big Time"
8:00-9:00 p.m. "Charmed"
9:00-10:00 p.m. "JACK & BOBBY"

Monday
8:00-9:00 p.m. "7th Heaven"
9:00-10:00 p.m. "Everwood"


Tuesday
8:00-9:00 p.m. "Gilmore Girls"
9:00-10:00 p.m. "One Tree Hill"

Wednesday
8:00-9:00 p.m. "Smallville"
9:00-9:30 p.m. "BLUE COLLAR TV"
9:30-10:00 p.m. "DREW CAREY'S GREEN SCREEN SHOW"

Thursday
8:00-9:00 p.m. "THE MOUNTAIN"
9:00-10:00 p.m. "STUDIO 7"

Friday
8:00-8:30 p.m. "What I Like About You"
8:30-9:00 p.m. "COMMANDO NANNY"
9:00-9:30 p.m. "Reba"
9:30-10:00 p.m. "Grounded For Life"

CAPS AND BOLD DENOTE NEW SERIES
Italics denote returning show with a new day and/or time period

Sunday

7:00-8:00 p.m. "STEVE HARVEY'S BIG TIME"
Returning for its second season on The WB, the series stars Steve Harvey. Harvey, Madeleine Smithberg and Rushion McDonald serve as executive producers on the series in conjunction with Telepictures Productions.

8:00-9:00 p.m. "CHARMED"
Returning for its seventh season on The WB, the series stars Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan and Holly Marie Combs, along with Brian Krause and Dorian Gregory. Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent and Brad Kern serve as executive producers on the series produced by Spelling Television, Inc.

9:00-10:00 p.m. "JACK & BOBBY"
From master storytellers Greg Berlanti ("Everwood," "Dawson's Creek"), Thomas Schlamme ("The West Wing," "Ally McBeal") and Mickey Liddell ("Everwood," "Go") comes a powerful and poignant new drama directed by the incomparable David Nutter ("Smallville," "Without a Trace"). If "greatness is thrust upon us," as Winston Churchill once said, then it's equally true that those who are destined for greatness are rarely aware of it. Take Jack (newcomer Matthew Long) and Bobby McCallister (Logan Lerman, "The Butterfly Effect") for example: two bright young brothers growing up under the watchful eye of their eccentric single-parent mother Grace McCallister (Christine Lahti, "Chicago Hope"). Grace's personality is a force of nature destined to shape both of these young men's lives and secure one a place in the history books-as President of the United States. Set in the present day, the series will detail the relationship between these brothers and the people that help shape their lives, including Jack's best friend Marcus French (Edwin Hodge, "The Alamo"), their beautiful neighbor Courtney Benedict (newcomer Jessica Paré) and her father Peter Benedict (John Slattery, "Mona Lisa Smile"). With flash-forward interviews of White House staffers and the First Lady, "Jack & Bobby" is a snapshot of a young man being molded to beat the odds and become this mid-century's greatest Presidential leader. From Warner Bros. Television Production Inc., Berlanti/Liddell Productions and Shoe Money Productions with creator/executive producer Greg Berlanti, creator/co-executive producer Vanessa Taylor ("Everwood"), creators Steve Cohen and Brad Meltzer and executive producers Mickey Liddell and Thomas Schlamme.

Monday

8:00-9:00 p.m. "7th HEAVEN"
Returning for its ninth season on The WB, the series stars Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks, David Gallagher, Beverley Mitchell, Mackenzie Rosman, Nikolas & Lorenzo Brino, George Stults, Ashlee Simpson and Tyler Hoechlin. Brenda Hampton, Aaron Spelling and E. Duke Vincent serve as executive producers on the series produced by Spelling Television, Inc.

9:00-10:00 p.m. "EVERWOOD"
Returning for its third season on The WB, the series stars Treat Williams, Gregory Smith, Emily VanCamp, Debra Mooney, John Beasley, Vivien Cardone, Chris Pratt, Stephanie Niznik and Tom Amandes. Greg Berlanti and Mickey Liddell serve as executive producers on the series produced by Everwood Utah, Inc. in association with and distributed by Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.

Tuesday

8:00-9:00 p.m. "GILMORE GIRLS"
Returning for its fifth season on The WB, the series stars Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Melissa McCarthy, Keiko Agena, Yanic Truesdale, Kelly Bishop, Edward Herrmann, Scott Patterson, Liz Torres, Liza Weil and Sean Gunn. Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino serve as executive producers on the series produced by Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Hofflund/Polone in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.

9:00-10:00 p.m. "ONE TREE HILL"
Returning for its second season on The WB, the series stars Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz, Paul Johansson, Sophia Bush, Barry Corbin, Craig Sheffer and Moira Kelly. Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola, Mark Schwahn and Mark Perry serve as executive producers on the series produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions and Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.

Wednesday

8:00-9:00 p.m. "SMALLVILLE"
Returning for its fourth season on The WB, the series stars Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum, Allison Mack, John Glover, Annette O'Toole and John Schneider. Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Greg Beeman, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola and Ken Horton serve as executive producers on the series produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions and Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.

9:00-9:30 p.m. "BLUE COLLAR TV"
Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy are three of the stars of the "Blue Collar Comedy Tour," one of the most successful comedy tours of all time, grossing more than $15 million nationwide. It inspired "Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie," the highest-rated movie ever to air on Comedy Central, selling over one million DVDs to date. This summer, Jeff, Bill and Larry, along with an ensemble cast including Heath Hyche, Peter Oldring, Gary Williams, Ashley Drane and Brooke Dillman, will bring their outrageous humor to The WB. Each episode will begin with a themed standup routine from Foxworthy, which will outline the upcoming episode with subjects ranging from everyday family life to lingerie shopping. The theme will continue through pop culture parodies with a decidedly Blue Collar perspective. From Riverside Productions, Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. and Bahr/Small Productions with executive producers Fax Bahr ("Mad TV," "In Living Color," "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment"), Adam Small ("Mad TV," "In Living Color," "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment"), Jeff Foxworthy and J.P. Williams.

9:30-10:00 p.m "DREW CAREY'S GREEN SCREEN SHOW"
Drew Carey ("The Drew Carey Show," "Whose Line Is It, Anyway?") and his comic friends have a clever plan to shake up the concept of live improv comedy. The performers on this show will act out quirky ideas suggested by the audience ("You're getting married underwater and are attacked by a giant squid"), but that's just a jumping-off point. The real fun begins with the technique known as green screen, which Drew's behind-the-scenes team will use to animate the skits, creating an actual improvised movie that brings to life the details going on in their vivid imaginations. This series promises to be a fun and lively marriage of improv and animation ¿ a concept only Drew Carey could pull off. Also starring Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, Chip Esten, Brad Sherwood, Greg Proops, Jeff Davis, Kathy Kinney, Sean Masterson, Julie Larson, Katlin Olson and Jonathon Mangum. From Production Group and Michigan J. with executive producer Drew Carey and post producer Ron Diamond of ACME Filmworks.

Thursday

8:00-9:00 p.m. "THE MOUNTAIN"
Boundary Mountain is an escapist playground for wealthy tourists and extreme sports enthusiasts, but to the Carver family, it's home. "The Mountain" chronicles the larger-than-life saga of the Carvers, whose colorful patriarch, David Carver, Sr. (guest star Chad Everett, "Mulholland Drive," "Medical Center"), founded the town and its internationally famous ski resort after winning the land in a poker game. When this legendary man unexpectedly dies, his choice of an heir sends shockwaves throughout the community. Free-spirited David Carver, Jr. (Oliver Hudson, "Dawson's Creek") left home years ago to pursue his dream of becoming a world-class motocross racer, while his older brother Will (Anson Mount, "Poolhall Junkies") diligently attended business school with every expectation of taking over the family empire. No one, least of all the brothers themselves, expected David to inherit the Mountain. Now, David finds himself saddled with a responsibility he never wanted and a brother who rightly feels betrayed. On top of this, he is torn between two women and suddenly immersed in a power struggle with a neighboring family. David just wants to run, until he realizes his grandfather may have had bigger things in mind. Through the episodes to come, David will begin to reconnect with his mother Gennie (Barbara Hershey, "Hannah and Her Sisters," "Beaches") and teenage sister Shelley (newcomer Tara Thompson), and he will uncover long-buried secrets about his co-workers, his town and even his own family mythology. Also starring Alana De La Garza ("All My Children"), Johann Urb ("Zoolander"), Elizabeth Bogush ("Titans") and newcomer Tommy Dewey, with guest-stars Mitch Pileggi ("The X-Files") and Penn Badgley ("Do Over"). A Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision. Executive producers are McG ("The O.C," the "Charlie's Angels" blockbusters and the upcoming film "Superman"), Stephanie Savage ("The O.C.") and Shaun Cassidy ("American Gothic"). David Barrett ("Fast Lane") directed.

9:00-10:00 p.m. "STUDIO 7"
Producer Michael Davies ("Who Wants To Be a Millionaire") is taking his acclaimed showmanship into new territory for The WB. His premise: what happens when you mix the reality and game show genres and produce a quiz show presented from the contestants' point of view? Introducing "Studio 7," a radical new series that pits seven bright young adults against each other in a series of intense elimination rounds that test their knowledge of pop culture, world events, science and literature. Only one can win a large cash prize. The catch is that the contestants will also be roommates for one week in one of Manhattan's most luxurious apartments. Blending the rivalry and romantic complications of reality programming with the high pressure stakes of "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire," "Studio 7" will not only allow viewers to play along, but will give them the intimate perspective of the competitors themselves. Alliances will be forged, passions will ignite and newfound friendships will be undermined as the contestants vie to be the grand champion of "Studio 7." From Diplomatic and executive producer Michael Davies.

Friday

8:00-8:30 p.m. "WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU"
Returning for its third season on The WB, the series stars Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth for Tollin/Robbins Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.

8:30-9:00 p.m. "COMMANDO NANNY"
When you're a 20-year-old ex-commando from the British Special Forces, how can you channel the thrill of combat into your next career? How about defending your life against three Beverly Hills rich kids? That's exactly what happened to mega-producer Mark Burnett ("Survivor," "The Apprentice") when he first ventured to the West Coast from the British Army Parachute Regiment. Burnett brings his unique experience to The WB in the new comedy, "Commando Nanny." Meet Miles Ross (Philip Winchester, "Thunderbirds"), the young commando whose new barracks are the guest room of a Beverly Hills mansion. Tycoon Ben Winter (Gerald McRaney, "Major Dad") has no intention of hiring the young soldier, but Ben's new, younger wife Lizzie (Kristin Bauer, "Anger Management") sees something in Miles and offers him a challenging new mission: monitoring Seth (Max Wolf Burkholder, "Daddy Daycare"), a 5-year-old in desperate need of attention. Accepting what he intends to be a short-term nanny position, Miles becomes an army of one as he and Ben battle in a daily test of wills. Complicating the agenda are Seth's older siblings. Katie (Beatrice Rosen, "Chasing Liberty") is a very mature teenager who flirts with Miles while plotting behind his back with her surly brother Steven (newcomer Ricky Mabe) to drive the new recruit AWOL. Miles' only R&R comes from his best friend, Nick (British stage actor Adam Campbell). From the bunkers to the bunk beds of Beverly Hills, Miles Ross is in for his toughest detail yet when he enlists as the resident commando nanny. A Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. with executive producers Mark Burnett and David Flebotte ("The Bernie Mac Show").

9:00-9:30 p.m. "REBA"
Returning for its fourth season on The WB, the series stars Reba McEntire, Christopher Rich, JoAnna Garcia, Steve Howey, Scarlett Pomers, Mitch Holleman and Melissa Peterman. Kevin Abbott, Matthew Berry, Mindy Schultheis and Michael Hanel serve as executive producers on the series produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television.

9:30-10:00 p.m. "GROUNDED FOR LIFE"
Returning for its fifth season, its third on The WB, the series stars Donal Logue, Megyn Price, Kevin Fitzgerald Corrigan, Lynsey Bartilson, Griffin Frazen, Jake Burbage and Bret Harrison. Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz, Marcy Carsey, Tom Werner and Caryn Mandabach serve as executive producers on the series produced by Carsey-Werner-Mandabach Productions, LLC.

MIDSEASON SERIES

"SHACKING UP"
If things weren't so complicated, you could call Josh (newcomer Ben Feldman) and Riley (Ryan McPartlin, "Passions") roomies. They live in the same house, share everything and are both involved with the same woman: she's Riley's girlfriend...and Josh's MOTHER, Fran (Fran Drescher, "The Nanny"). When 25-year-old Josh gets kicked out of medical school and moves back in with his mom and teenage sister Allison (Misti Traya, "Joan of Arcadia"), he's shocked to find Mom sharing her life, not to mention her house, with Riley, a 24 1/2-year-old stud. Josh is so shocked, in fact, that he barely has time to notice a guy named Duane (Branden Williams, "Charlie's Angels," "The Sweetest Thing") is renting the closet in his old bedroom. "Shacking Up" is a fun, contemporary look at a non-traditional family. From Regency Television with executive producers Jamie Kennedy ("The Jamie Kennedy Experiment," "Malibu's Most Wanted"), Michael Langworthy ("8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter") and co-executive producers David Garrett & Jason Ward ("Deuce Bigelow: European Gigolo").

"ROCKY POINT"
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Hawaii's exotic North Shore, "Rocky Point" follows the coming-of-age story of 19-year-old Connecticut transplant, Cassie Flynn. Having deferred Princeton to return to the place of her birth, Cassie has created an idyllic new life with the help of her three best friends and her pro-surfer boyfriend. However, her blissful world is thrown into disarray when her long-estranged father, Owen (Billy Campbell, "Once and Again"), arrives at her doorstep. "Rocky Point" will follow Cassie and her surrogate family of friends as they struggle to grow up and find their way in a place that looks very much like paradise. A Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. from writers/executive producers John Stockwell ("Blue Crush," "crazy/beautiful") and Lizzy Weiss ("Blue Crush").

"GLOBAL FREQUENCY"
Based on the suspenseful and action-packed graphic novel franchise, "Global Frequency" marks the dramatic television debut of successful producer Mark Burnett ("Survivor," "The Apprentice"). The Global Frequency is an independent, illegal, covert intelligence agency determined to prevent international politics from undermining the security of the global community. Led by the former NSA agent Miranda Zero, GF is everywhere and nowhere – and it's mankind's best defense against everything that occurs outside our peripheral vision. This marvel of brains and machinery is hacked into every satellite, mainframe, cell phone and database across the globe. With the help of her central command dispatcher, the feisty but brilliant Aleph, Zero is just a phone call away from tapping anyone anywhere to volunteer their skills to help save the world. GF's newest "recruit," suspended cop Sean Ronin, is paired with introverted Kate Finch, a mastermind of the scientific inner workings of the covert network. The most original conspiracy saga since "The X-Files," "Global Frequency" shows us that one person can make a difference in the battle against the dangers of the modern world. From Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. and Cloudbreak Entertainment with writer/executive producer John Rogers (upcoming film "Catwoman," "The Core") and director Nelson McCormick ("Alias," "Third Watch").

REALITY SERIES

"HIGH SCHOOL REUNION"
Returning for a third installment on The WB, the reality series reunites former high school classmates for their 10-year reunion. This time around, classmates from a Catholic School in Fort Lauderdale will reunite in beautiful Maui. From Next Entertainment and Telepictures with executive producer Mike Fleiss and co-executive producer Mike Nichols.

"BIG MAN ON CAMPUS"
From the creator of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" comes the ultimate "Greek God" competition. On a beautiful college campus, in a beautiful setting, with lots of beautiful people, things will get ugly. That's because we¿ve got not one, but TWO cutthroat competitions. First, the school¿s sorority sisters are going to pick the Big Man on Campus – the cutest, hottest, sweetest frat boy around. But then the tables will turn as he methodically chooses his Campus Queen – from the very same co-eds who picked him. These girls will do anything to make the grade. From Next Entertainment Studios and Telepictures with executive producer Mike Fleiss.

"WANNABES"
Everyone's a wannabe... but who's it gonnabe? It's the oldest story in Hollywood... the beautiful girl from Nowheresville who heads to Hollywood, pays her dues, waits her turn, until one day she's discovered and overnight she's a STAR! But guess what? It doesn't really happen like that. The reality is much more brutal, and for most of these beautiful girls, the ugly truth is that they'll never make it. "Wannabes" takes you behind the famous Hollywood sign into the hard reality of showbiz hopefuls. Away from the glamorous lights, there are thousands of young women living in tiny apartments, working lousy jobs, going to auditions and praying for that one big break. The series will focus on a small group of gorgeous starlets who live together and try to become friends while competing for the same roles. A panel of judges will eliminate one aspiring star each week as they compete in series of tasks, some silly, some serious. Delivering a singing telegram, performing in a clown suit at a birthday party, casting sessions and very odd jobs will all be part of the audition process. Will they support each other or show no mercy? Who's got what it takes, and who¿s got a one-way ticket out of town? Share the rough road of near misses and close calls. Finally, share the joy of one lucky winner who makes it all the way to a starring role on The WB! From Telepictures with executive producer Jamie Kennedy ("The Jamie Kennedy Experiment," "Malibu's Most Wanted") and co-executive producers Scott Einziger ("Amazing Race 2 & 3," "The Howard Stern Show"), Josh Etting ("The Jamie Kennedy Experiment") and Ellen Rapoport (co-author of the book "Wannabes").

 

[Mikel_Cooperman]

Lost does seem interesting and it's from J.J and the cast of Desperate Wives is interesting but good enough to place instead of Alias is pretty bad.

 

[Jason Seaver]

Heh. Now that there's a potential opening for other comedies on Thursday night, WB bails on the idea.

Pretty weak development slate; I'm pretty sure Global Frequency hasn't even shot its pilot yet. The comic series is also almost an anthology series, with new leads each issue (when they come out). I doubt the TV series will go that route.

There also seems to be a lot of repetition here, adding Jack & Bobby, The Mountain, and potentially Rocky Point to the soap-heavy lineup. I bet Thursday becomes movie night very quickly.

 

[LorenzoL]

Okay, first of all ABC putting Alias as a midseason replacement may not be the death knell of the show. They have done that to NYPD Blue for the past 5 or 6 seasons now, I believe.

Second of all, I can't believe that WB did not picked up the Dark Shadows remake. Very dissapointed about that :frowning:

 

[Craig S]

Only the “Desperate Housewives”.

Which, BTW, sounds seriously depressing. Is Sheryl Lee the only actress to star in two series in which she's dead in the opening episode??

Not a thrilling schedule for me. I'll probably sample: "Lost" (Terry O'Quinn in the cast is a draw for me), "Life As We Know It" ("F&G" writers), and maybe "Jack & Bobby" (the political angle might make this interesting).

So I assume "Line Of Fire" & "The DA" (two ABC limited-run series from this past season which I liked) are now officially dead? :frowning:

 

[Craig S]

They started "Blue" midseason for a couple of years, but it's been back on a fall start for the past 2 or 3 seasons.