CBS’ 2007-2008 Primetime Schedule ‘Diverse and Daring’ … Not!
Don’t Believe the Network Hype—Conservative Still Rules at the Eye Network
Yeah, I’m late posting CBS’ 2007-2008 primetime schedule because, frankly, I’m still miffed that the network canceled both Jericho and Close to Home. Although it would have TV watchers believe that the new shows picked up are “diverse and daring concepts,” only the most gullible and tube-deprived individuals would actually buy that description. There certainly is a bit of diversity in the form of Cane (formerly called Las Duques—I guess that title was a little too “diverse and daring”), a one-hour family drama about a Cuban clan in Florida headed by Jimmy Smits of L.A. Law and NYPD Blue. Other than this series, the only one I’m looking forward to among the five shows ordered for next fall is film producer Joel Silver‘s Moonlight, a romantic crime drama about a vampire private detective who battles with his immortal bloodsucker nature while eliminating criminals and falling in love with a human. Angel, anyone? And the daringness just continues unabated.
The remaining three series green-lighted for the fall—one each of comedy, drama, and reality—are Viva Laughlin, executive producer and X-Men star Hugh Jackman‘s mystery drama with music (why they’re afraid to just call it a musical is beyond me if the show is genuinely daring) based on the popular British series Viva Blackpool; Two and A Half Men co-creator Chuck Lorre‘s geek comedy The Big Bang Theory; and the youth-oriented, social-experiment reality program Kid Nation.
Additional newcomers for summer and midseason appearances, respectively, are Power of 10, hosted by comedian Drew Carey, and the 1970s mate-swap (yes, it means exactly what you think) drama Swingtown from Big Love, Rome and Six Feet Under director Alan Poul.
Finally, aside from the aforementioned Jericho and Close to Home, CBS canceled just one other series, the widely hyped freshman sitcom The Class, which, in my opinion, deserved the boot since it was nowhere near as entertaining as reviewers indicated.
All pick-ups and returning shows considered, CBS’ “new,” virtually unchanged 2007-2008 primetime schedule consists of:
Mondays
- 8pm: How I Met Your Mother (RETURNING COMEDY)
- 8:30pm: The Big Bang Theory (NEW COMEDY)
- 9pm: Two and A Half Men (RETURNING COMEDY)
- 9:30pm: Rules of Engagement (RETURNING COMEDY)
- 10pm: CSI: Miami (RETURNING CRIME DRAMA)
Tuesdays
- 8pm: NCIS (RETURNING CRIME DRAMA)
- 9pm: The Unit (RETURNING CRIME DRAMA)
- 10pm: Cane (NEW DRAMA)
Wednesdays
- 8pm: Kid Nation (NEW REALITY SHOW)
- 9pm: Criminal Minds (RETURNING CRIME DRAMA)
- 10pm: CSI: NY (RETURNING CRIME DRAMA)
Thursdays
- 8pm: Survivor (RETURNING REALITY SHOW)
- 9pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (RETURNING CRIME DRAMA)
- 10pm: Without a Trace (RETURNING CRIME DRAMA)
Fridays
- 8pm: Ghost Whisperer (RETURNING SUPERNATURAL DRAMA)
- 9pm: Moonlight (NEW SUPERNATURAL DRAMA)
- 10pm: Numb3rs (RETURNING CRIME DRAMA)
Saturdays
- 8pm: Crimetime Saturday
- 9pm: Crimetime Saturday
- 10pm: 48 Hours: Mystery (RETURNING NEWSMAGAZINE)
Sundays
- 7pm: 60 Minutes (RETURNING NEWSMAGAZINE)
- 8pm: Viva Laughlin (NEW MUSICAL DRAMA)
- 9pm: Cold Case (RETURNING CRIME DRAMA)
- 10pm: Shark (RETURNING LEGAL DRAMA)
Related News: Bubble Trouble: Tonight’s ‘Close to Home’ Finale Possibly the Series’ Last | CBS Cancels ‘Jericho’ and Unceremoniously Alienates Legions of Fans | ‘Jericho’ Finale Promises Explosive Conflict and a Shocking Death
