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Upfront Thoughts
The network television advertising upfronts were going to be different this year. The writer's strike meant big changes were coming.
I'm still waiting.
This strike-ravaged television season has been flat, and the small screen needs a big boost in 2008-09. If fall schedules are any indication, I'm guessing this boost will be coming in the Spring, because I just don't see any hits here.
ABC
Only two new fall series from ABC as they give their existing series a chance to grow.
Opportunity Knocks (Tuesday 8pm)
This game show travels to your door to see how well you know your family. Experience the genius of Ashton Kutcher, if you dare.
Life on Mars (Thursday 10pm)
This David E. Kelley production is based on a BBC series where a detective gets into a car crash and transported back to 1973. My fingers are crossed that this is L.A. Law and not Girls Club.
CBS
CBS is offering the most new fall series, but quantity does not always produce quality.
Worst Week (Monday 9:30pm)
This magazine editor's comedic struggle to get his future in-laws to like him only has to hold the audience from Two and a Half Men to CSI: Miami. The title is not a good sign.
The Mentalist (Tuesday 9pm)
This new drama is Medium, with a male psychic instead of a female Arquette.
Project Gary (Wednesday 8:30pm)
McGinley-esque Jay Mohr and Paula Marshall co-star in this comedy. Do I really need to keep typing?
Eleventh Hour (Thursday 10pm)
Great post-CSI time slot for a Jerry Bruckheimer drama about a scientist who keeps those who abuse the latest tech discoveries in check. Watch this.
The Ex List (Friday 9pm)
A psychic tells a woman she needs to revisit her old relationships to find her soul mate. Note the date and time this is airing.
NBC
The peacock will be churning out new series all year long, and this fall's big bet is on Christian Slater.
My Own Worst Enemy (Monday 10pm)
Christian Slater is an efficiency expert by day, trained killer by night. Horatio Caine better keep an eye on this one.
Kath & Kim (Tuesday 9:30pm)
Molly Shannon and Selma Blair star as a wacky suburban dysfunctional mom and daughter. Possibly a hit in 1992.
Knight Rider (Wednesday 8pm)
KITT is a Ford Mustang, and we’ll see who's interested in sticking around for more than a TV movie.
Crusoe (Friday 8pm)
It's the tale of Robinson Crusoe. I'm not kidding.
FOX
While we wait for American Idol to return, FOX presents a JJ Abrams plane crash mystery and Jerry O'Connell running a NYC hotel.
Fringe (Tuesday 9pm)
This J.J. Abrams tale begins with a plane that actually makes it to an airport, but everyone aboard has died a nasty death.
Do Not Disturb (Wednesday 9:30pm)
My pal Jerry O'Connell runs The Inn, and you can expect lots of wacky hijinks in this hot, hip Manhattan hotel.
The CW
Creating a 90210 spin-off shows the state of a network that might be in its final year of existence.
90210 (Tuesday 8pm)
The Beverly Hills crew is all grown up as The CW tries to capitalize on the formerly hip FOX zip code. Next up, who's living at Melrose Place?
Surviving The Filthy Rich (Tuesday 9pm)
A 23-year-old Yale grad gets hired as a live-in tutor for ridiculously wealthy twins in Palm Beach and learns to live the fabulous life. Hoping for some Gossip Girl gold.
Stylista (Wednesday 9pm)
This version of The Devil Wears Prada follows Tyra's lead-in as fashion aficionados fight for a job at Elle magazine. Too little, too late.
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May 19, 2008 6:35 PM
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The only reason I want the CW to make it is to keep One Tree Hill on.
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May 19, 2008 9:24 PM
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Since "Smallville" is the only CW show I watch now, when that ends so will my involvement in watching CW shows.
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May 19, 2008 9:35 PM
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The one show I think will be among the first to go is Opportunity Knocks on ABC. Considering that its competition are NCIS on CBS, House on FOX, Biggest Loser on NBC and even the new 90210 on the CW, I doubt this shlock will hit the ground running in September.
I remember seeing the 2-hour pilot Knight Rider back in February and if the series is anything like it, NBC could just count on another TV revival going back to the scrap heap, as did Bionic Woman.
However, the revival of 90210 may not be met with a similar disastrous fate, for which I wouldn't count out the CW just yet. I think people will check it out. Of course, its survival depends on the show keeping its viewers in tact after the curiosity factor wanes.
If there's one show that could hit, it's FOX's Fringe because it's from JJ Abrams and it has House as its lead-in. And if the show is at least somewhat successful, it may continue into 2009 having the mega-hit American Idol as its lead-in.
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May 28, 2008 3:12 PM
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