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For ABC, a fall of new primetime dramas
Building on a platform of hits from this season
By Toni Fitzgerald medialifemagazine.com

ABC started its comeback with dramas. Now it hopes to use a few more to complete it.

ABC will use those hit shows to launch several more this fall. The strategy is to use Lost and Boston Legal to build audience for new dramas like Invasion and Commander-in-Chief, the two it seems to consider most promising.

Then, at midseason, it will concentrate on launching three new comedies, hoping to use the open Monday night schedule post-"Monday Night Football" to establish a new comedy block.

ABC said at this morning's upfront presentation that it is moving one of its biggest hits, Lost, to a different time slot on the same night and will also switch its highest-rated comedy, According to Jim, to a new timeslot.

The new schedule includes major changes on every night except Sunday, the network's highest-rated night. It includes 12 series, with five new comedies, many of which will launch at midseason.

The first half of the season will launch three new dramas, allowing ABC to concentrate on building its comedy lineup in the second half of the season.

Low-rated George Lopez, Jake In Progress, Less Than Perfect and The Bachelor will return, though the latter three won't return until midseason.

Wife Swap moves from Wednesday to Monday, ahead of Monday Night Football this fall. After the football season, the night gets a new look with The Bachelor leading off followed by new sitcom Emily's Reasons Why Not with Heather Graham, Jake and the J.J. Abrams drama What About Brian.

Tuesdays get a big change, with Jim and surprise returner Rodney shifting to 8 p.m., followed by the new Commander with Geena Davis as a female president and Legal at 10.

Wednesday brings one of the most surprising changes. Lost shifts from 8 to 9, where it will face American Idol's results show come winter, to make room for George and new comedy Freddie with Freddie Prinze Jr. At 10 is the new supernatural drama Invasion, which seems like a good fit for Lost.

Alias shifts to the brutal Thursday 8 p.m. slot after slumping on Wednesday the last two months. Though star Jennifer Garner is reportedly pregnant, ABC entertainment president Stephen McPherson said that the show will be ready to return in the fall.

Night Stalker, a remake of the 1970s show, takes Extreme Makeover's 9 p.m. slot, followed by the returning Primetime Live at 10 p.m.

We want to be in business Thursday. Are we looking to win? Absolutely not, but this year it was a little bit of a default for us, McPherson said.

Friday Supernanny takes over the former 8 p.m. comedy block. Hope & Faith returns at 9, followed by the new babes and real estate sitcom Hot Properties. 20/20 stays at 10.

Wonderful World of Disney will continue Saturdays at 9.

Sunday is the only other night without a change. America's Funniest Home Videos leads off at 7, followed by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives and midseason hit Grey's Anatomy, whose order was upped to 22 episodes.

Cancellations include My Wife & Kids, 8 Simple Rules and the original Extreme Makeover.

Should any of the shows flop, ABC has lots of shows ready to take their place.

In addition to Emily's, the sitcoms Crumbs and Sons & Daughters received midseason orders. Dramas Evidence and In Justice also got midseason orders, as did already-announced reality series The Miracle Workers, which chronicles real-life doctors.

Note:
TVGuide.com is continually updating its 2005-2006 Network Prime Time Season Grid here:

http://tvguide.com/tv/showguide/grid.asp

For CBS, big changes may be in order
Expect a slew of new shows in a push for 18-49s
By Toni Fitzgerald medialifemagazine.com

Buyers praise the stability of CBS's schedule, which boasts top-rated drama, comedy and reality shows with minimal problem spots. So you might expect the network to have the fewest new shows on the fall schedule.

In fact, CBS may have the most. There are six hours of programming that could be replaced if the network decides it wants to aggressively pursue the season title among 18-49s, and it looks like it will. Rumors have CBS with eight new series orders.

CBS can afford to tinker with its schedule more than the other networks because the bulk of it remains strong, and CSI, Survivor and Two and a Half Men can make up for any early missteps.

What follows is a look at CBS's likely schedule for the coming season, based on a variety of sources, from analyses by the big media agencies to what the network has said to snippets of speculation by media buyers. The network formally announces it schedule on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

JAG and Everybody Loves Raymond are definitely gone. Joan of Arcadia, which had a disappointing second season, and Judging Amy, never a hit among 18-49s, are also rumored to be out.

Of Still Standing and Listen Up, one, probably the latter, will be yanked, and 60 Minutes II seems more endangered than ever after last year's botched report on President Bush.

New dramas will include Jerry Bruckheimer's American Crime, about a prosecutor, and Quantico, about FBI profilers starring Mandy Patinkin. The requisite supernatural show that all the networks seem to be ordering is Threshold.

David Mamet's Delta Force drama The Unit and Jennifer Love Hewitt's Sixth Sense-like Ghost Whisperer are also rumored to get slots.

How I Met Your Mother, a comedy with TV veterans Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan, and Flesh and Blood, from two Frasier writers starring Henry Winkler and Stockard Channing, will also be picked up.

Monday could get several new sitcoms. The network may move Wednesday's Yes, Dear or King of Queens back to Monday to help Two and a Half Men, which will take over Raymond's 9 p.m. slot.

In contrast to its long tradition of schlubby men-with-beautiful-women sitcoms, CBS also has a few comedy contenders with a different focus: Jenna Elfman's Everything I Know About Men will get a spot, while Old Christine, with Seinfeld veteran Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is bidding for midseason.

On Tuesday, NCIS will return at 8 followed by Amazing Race. If Amy gets the boot, "Threshold" or American Crime may land here.

Wednesdays are a problem. CSI: NY will stay at 10, but 60 Minutes and the 9 p.m. comedy block seem questionable. CBS may switch to drama at 9, booting Queens back to Monday.

Survivor, CSI and Without a Trace will return Thursday.

Friday's Joan lost buzz as the season went on, and a return seems unlikely with all of CBS's pickups. "Quantico," "The Unit" or "Ghost Whisperer" may take two of the open spots. The edgier drama Commuters or Tom Cavanagh's quirky Love Monkey, which haven't received a commitment yet, would be good Friday fits.

Mild midseason hit Numb3rs should return at 10.

CBS may plug a reality show into Saturdays at 8, but since the networks seemed to have basically abandoned original Saturday programming, repeats seem more likely.

Sundays will also remain the same, with 60 Minutes followed by Cold Case and the Sunday Night Movie.

It is hard to believe there was any other reason, f44.

Here it is, Alan:

THE WB ANNOUNCES 2005-06 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
Released by The WB through thefutoncritic.com
The WB's Entertainment President David Janollari and network Chairman Garth Ancier unveiled the network's 2005-2006 primetime schedule today at Madison Square Garden before more than 4,000 advertisers, affiliates and national media.
The new schedule includes three new dramas and a new comedy from a battery of heralded stars, writer/producers and directors, with programs directly targeted at young adults. Janollari also announced two comedies and two dramas for midseason with equally impressive creative auspices.
The WB will use established hit shows on all six nights of the week to lead off the 8:00 hour and provide strong lead-ins for the new series. 7th Heaven, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Smallville, What I Like About You and Charmed will serve as 8:00 anchors across the schedule.
Our goal was to develop distinct and original series from the top producers working in the medium today, said Mr. Janollari. Finding the next group of hot buzz-worthy WB shows has been the guiding mission of our development season. The blend of A-list executive producers that have come to the network for the first time, along with our homegrown superstars, form the creative backbone of our new schedule. More importantly, these top producers are bringing us shows that work perfectly in The WB's wheelhouse and will capture our coveted young adult demo to which we remain committed.
MONDAY
7th Heaven will become the longest-running family drama in television history when the Camdens return for a tenth season this fall. The series, from Spelling Television, continues to rank as the network's top-rated show in total viewers (5.4 million) and actually grew year-to-year in The WB's crucial women 18-34 demographic, an astounding accomplishment for a ninth-year program in an extremely competitive timeslot. Just Legal, starring Don Johnson and Jay Baruchel, fresh off his unforgettable performance in the Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby, centers on the relationship between a young prodigy lawyer and his mentor, a jaded defense attorney who has fallen from the big leagues.
To call 7th Heaven' an amazing success story would be an understatement, said Mr. Janollari. Aaron Spelling, Duke Vincent and Brenda Hampton have done a truly remarkable job continuing to bring this unique family drama to adoring viewers, while Stephen Collins and the cast have been equally wonderful.
As a companion piece, we are bringing our first procedural drama to the network in Just Legal. ' Jerry Bruckheimer is the master of the genre, and the pairing of Don Johnson, who is renowned for playing tough guys in buddy comedy roles, with Jay Baruchel, one of the most accomplished young actors of his generation, is the foundation for a great series.
TUESDAY
Gilmore Girls has been a standout for The WB this season, showing tremendous ratings growth across all key ratings measurements, fueled by a creative renaissance helmed by executive producers Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino. It will begin its sixth season paired with Supernatural, a series revolving around two brothers, played by Jared Padalecki (Gilmore Girls) and Jensen Ackles (Smallville) searching for the evil unknown creatures lurking in spooky small towns along the back roads of America. Tuesdays at 9:00 has been the launch pad for many signature WB dramas, including Smallville, Felicity, Angel, One Tree Hill and Dawson¿s Creek.
Gilmore' not only endured the onslaught of the American Idol' juggernaut in the same time period, it thrived, regularly finishing second in all our key demographics, said Mr. Janollari. As for Supernatural, ' this is one wild ride of a pilot, and this show is going to scare the living daylights out of people every week. McG and Eric Kripke have crafted a genuinely frightening hour of television with two hot young leads familiar to our audience. It flat out delivers the goods.
WEDNESDAY
One Tree Hill is the fastest-growing show on all of television and The WB's number one series with women 18-34 and persons 12-34. With this kind of momentum, a rising star like Chad Michael Murray and a successful soundtrack, viewers are sure to follow the series to a new night. Following One Tree Hill on Wednesdays is the new drama Related from Friends producer Marta Kauffman and Sex and the City writer Liz Tuccillo. Related stars Jennifer Esposito, currently burning up the screen in the hit film Crash, as well as Laura Breckenridge and Lizzy Caplan.
As we watched the amazing surge in the popularity of One Tree Hill, ' we realized that viewers can't get enough of this show, said Mr. Janollari. We've ordered 26 episodes for next season, and we know that the producing team of Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola and Mark Schwahn will continue to deliver a first-rate drama each week.
After the unprecedented success of Friends, ' we're thrilled to have Emmy Award-winning Marta Kauffman producing a one-hour family drama for us, based on the lives of four adult sisters. Related' is an insightful, funny, touching drama full of complicated relationships and heartwarming family moments, with a great young cast to which our core female audience will instantly relate.
THURSDAY
About to begin its fifth season on The WB, Smallville is coming off a great year that continued to explore the mythology of the early days of the Clark Kent character. More exciting pieces of the puzzle will be revealed next season when Clark finds himself transported to the Fortress of Solitude. Starring Tom Welling as the Kansas farm boy who grows up to be Superman, the series is The WB's number one show with men 18-34 and third highest-rated series in adults 18-34.
This season, we're making a bold statement on Thursday nights by moving one of our signature hits, Smallville" to 8:00, said Mr. Janollari. The show faced some of the toughest competition of any series on television this season, going up against Lost' every week, yet it continued to deliver great ratings, said Mr. Janollari. With the critically acclaimed drama Everwood' moving into the 9:00 timeslot, we think Thursday will be one of the most compelling nights of the upcoming season. Led by Treat Williams, Everwood features one of the strongest ensemble casts and some of the best writing on television.
FRIDAY
Amanda Bynes returns to kick off The WB's Friday night lineup with the hit comedy What I Like About You, followed by the new comedy Twins, from two of television's most talented and successful writer/producers, David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. With a star-studded cast including Melanie Griffith in her sitcom premiere, Sara Gilbert in her first regular series role since Roseanne, Mark Linn-Baker of Perfect Strangers fame and newcomer Molly Stanton, the series focuses on twin sisters who could not be less alike. Comedy star Reba McEntire returns for the fifth season of Reba, and the night's newest hit, Living With Fran, starring Fran Drescher, moves to 9:30.
We're delighted with the entire Friday night lineup, starting with the wonderful comedy team of Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth starring as sisters in What I Like About You, ' said Mr. Janollari. Our newest comedy, Twins, ' from Kohan and Mutchnick, is a perfect companion for What I Like About You," with its theme of sisters who don't have much in common. Melanie Griffith and Sara Gilbert lead an incredible cast. Rounding out the night, we have two of the best comediennes working today with Reba McEntire and Fran Drescher. SUNDAY
Returning for its eighth season, Charmed, starring Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan and Holly Marie Combs, has been a success story for The WB from day one. Sure to shake things up for the Charmed Ones, actor and Extra host Mark McGrath will join the cast next season. Taking a comedic turn at 9:00, Sundays will feature back-to-back episodes of the increasingly popular sketch comedy show, Blue Collar TV, starring Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy.
Charmed' is appointment television for millions of fans who love the show's combination of danger and humor and have become attached to these three young women, said Mr. Janollari. 'Blue Collar TV, ' has gained amazing traction this year, and we think this show is just beginning to build on its loyal fan base. Moving the show to Sundays is a perfect counter-programming move in this competitive time period.
MIDSEASON
Just as the fall schedule boasts powerhouse names, the midseason lineup continues the trend with two comedies and two dramas with top stars and producers. Rebecca Romijn stars as Pepper Dennis, with Josh Hopkins (The Perfect Storm, Ally McBeal) and Brooke Burns (North Shore, Baywatch) in a lighthearted drama about an ambitious television news reporter looking for love. Tom Fontana's The Bedford Diaries focuses on college students in a human sexuality class and features a diverse ensemble cast including Emmy Award-nominated Matthew Modine (And the Band Played On, Any Given Sunday), Milo Ventimiglia (Gilmore Girls, American Dreams) and Audra McDonald (Wit, Law & Order). The midseason comedies are equally impressive, starting with Misconceptions, which stars Jane Leeves (Frasier) as a single mother who finds that the sperm donor who fathered her child was not the sophisticated, educated man she had been led to believe he was. Modern Men, from producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Marsh McCall is about friends in their twenties, Tim (Josh Braaten, Less Than Perfect), Kyle (Max Greenfield, Veronica Mars) and Doug (Eric Lively, The L Word), who are just desperate enough to seek the help of a renowned life coach to solve their relationship issues.
The WB Prime-Time Schedule for 2005-2006 Season

Monday
8 PM ET/PT: 7th Heaven
9 PM ET/PT: Just Legal

Tuesday
8 PM ET/PT: Gilmore Girls
9 PM ET/PT: Supernatural

Wednesday
8 PM ET/PT: One Tree Hill
9 PM ET/PT: Related

Thursday
8 PM ET/PT: Smallville
9 PM ET/PT: Everwood

Friday
8 PM ET/PT: What I Like About You
8:30 PM ET/PT: Twins
9 PM ET/PT: Reba
9:30 PM ET/PT: Living With Fran

Sunday
7 PM ET/PT: Reba (Repeat)
7:30 PM ET/PT: Reba (Repeat)
8 PM ET/PT: Charmed
9 PM ET/PT: Blue Collar TV

(boldface indicates new program)

Monday
8:00-9:00 p.m. 7TH HEAVEN"
Returning for its record-breaking tenth season on The WB, the series stars Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks, David Gallagher, Beverley Mitchell, Nikolas & Lorenzo Brino, George Stults 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. JUST LEGAL"
Just Legal is a fast-paced procedural drama with humor starring Jay Baruchel (Undeclared," Million Dollar Baby) and Don Johnson (Miami Vice, Nash Bridges) as lawyers who save their clients, and in the process, save themselves. David Skip Ross (Baruchel), 19, a brilliant legal prodigy, dreams of becoming a great trial lawyer. When he can't land a job at a prestigious L.A. firm because he's too young, Skip ends up working for Grant Cooper (Johnson). Once a great lawyer, now burnt-out by the realities of life, Cooper is barely scraping by in his beachfront law office. Together, Skip and Cooper become defenders of the accused and crusaders for the unjustly wronged. Their cases vary from stories ripped from today's headlines to clever mysteries with procedural twists. Skip's middle-class parents, Deborah (Veanne Cox, Erin Brockovich) and Lenny Ross (Raphael Sbarge, The Guardian), and his under-achieving younger brother Tom (newcomer Michael Mitchell), are all extremely proud of Skip's accomplishments, but are also concerned for his well-being, especially when his first case involves proving the innocence of a young woman named Paradise (Peyton List, The Greatest Game Ever Played) who has been falsely accused of a gang-related murder. Always the underdogs, forced to do the gritty work of finding clues and tracking down witnesses in the beautiful, but often dangerous world of Southern California, Cooper teaches Skip to be a lawyer and a man, while Skip renews Cooper's faith in the law and himself. Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI, Cold Case, Without a Trace), Jonathan Littman (CSI, Cold Case, Without a Trace) and Jonathan Shapiro (The Practice, Boston Legal) are executive producers for Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.
Tuesday
8:00-9:00 p.m. GILMORE GIRLS
Returning for its sixth season on The WB, the series stars Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Melissa McCarthy, Scott Patterson, Keiko Agena, Yanic Truesdale, Liza Weil, Sean Gunn, Kelly Bishop and Edward Herrmann. Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino and Gavin Polone 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. SUPERNATURAL
The WB has a long tradition of interweaving character dramas and the world of the supernatural. It began with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and continues with hits like Smallville and Charmed. This fall, The WB will take viewers on a completely new kind of thrill ride; a journey into the dark world of the unexplained that will deliver the terror of films like The Ring and The Grudge. Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki, Gilmore Girls) has done his best to escape his family's eerie history, but, along with his older brother Dean (Jensen Ackles, Smallville), Sam is bound by tragedy and blood to a dangerous, other-worldly mission. Criss-crossing the mysterious back roads of the country in their `67 Chevy Impala, the Winchester brothers search for their missing father - and hunt down every evil supernatural force they encounter along the way. From Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision, with executive producers McG (Charlie's Angels The O.C. ), writer/executive producer Eric Kripke (Boogeyman") and director/executive producer David Nutter (Without a Trace, Smallville, Roswell, Band of Brothers, The West Wing, ER, The X Files).
Wednesday
8:00-9:00 p.m. ONE TREE HILL
Returning for its third season on The WB, the series stars Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz, Paul Johansson, Sophia Bush, Barbara Alyn Woods, Barry Corbin, Craig Sheffer and Moira Kelly. Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola and Mark Schwahn serve as executive producers on the series produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions and Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.
8:00-9:00 p.m. RELATED
The four Sorelli sisters are a bundle of contradictions. These quirky young women are best friends one minute and bitter enemies the next. They confide in one another, yet manage to keep a lot of secrets. They worry about each other, give advice and push each other's buttons. First-born sister Ann (casting TBD) is a 33-year-old legal aid lawyer and the nurturing mother hen of the group. Ann works out of a run-down office, helping people who have no voice, while her closest sibling, Ginnie (Jennifer Esposito, Crash Spin City), also an attorney, spends her days in a high-powered law firm working for huge corporations. While Ann worries about her long-time relationship with chef and restaurant-owner Danny (Jon Hamm, The Division Kissing Jessica Stein), Ginnie is trying to figure out how to tell her husband Bob (Callum Blue, Dead Like Me The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement), her bosses and her family that she is pregnant. Next in line is 23-year-old Marjee (Lizzy Caplan, Mean Girls), a special events coordinator who stresses out over her demanding celebrity clients while secretly yearning for respect and approval from her older sisters. The youngest sister, Rose (Laura Breckenridge, Boston Public), is a 19-year-old college student who just switched her major from pre-med to experimental theater and is afraid to deliver this news to her over-achieving family. A comedic ensemble drama, Related is a poignant reminder that family is what life is all about. From Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. and Class IV Productions with executive producers Marta Kauffman (Friends), Steve Pearlman, Andrew Plotkin, director/executive producer Mimi Leder (ER, Pay It Forward) and writer/co-executive producer Liz Tuccillo (Sex and the City and the best-selling book, He's Just Not That Into You).
Thursday
8:00-9:00 p.m. SMALLVILLE
Returning for its fifth 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.
9:00-10:00 p.m. EVERWOOD
Returning for its fourth season on The WB, the series stars Treat Williams, Gregory Smith, Emily VanCamp, Debra Mooney, John Beasley, Vivien Cardone, Chris Pratt, Stephanie Niznik, Merrilyn Gann, Scott Wolf, Sarah Drew and Tom Amandes. Greg Berlanti, Mickey Liddell and Rina Mimoun serve as executive producers on the series produced by Berlanti/Liddell Productions, Everwood Utah, Inc. in association with and distributed by Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.
Friday
8:00-8:30 p.m. WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU
Returning for its fourth season on The WB, the series stars Amanda Bynes, Jennie Garth, Wesley Jonathan, Nick Zano, Leslie Grossman and Allison Munn for Tollin/Robbins Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.
8:30-9:00 p.m. TWINS
Having explored the hilarious complexities of sexuality with the wildly successful Will & Grace, Emmy Award-winning producers David Kohan and Max Mutchnick bring their unique take on contemporary relationships to The WB. This time, they're targeting societal stereotypes and perceptions of brains vs. beauty with a bitingly funny comedy about twin sisters. Mitchee (Sara Gilbert, Roseanne) has the intelligence and the determination of a successful businesswoman. Her twin sister Farrah (Molly Stanton, Passions) is a stunningly perfect lingerie model. Mitchee and Farrah are about to inherit their parents' undergarment business, which gained world-renown for form-fitting inventions that make every woman look and feel like a goddess. These anything-but-identical twins are true reflections of their parents. Mitchee takes after their father, Alan (Mark Linn-Baker, Perfect Strangers), a brilliant designer who built the company up from nothing, while Farrah is the image of their mother, Lee (Melanie Griffith, Working Girl), a beautiful former lingerie model who is not a deep thinker. There are loyal staff members, especially the flamboyant Neil (Chris Fitzgerald, Personal Velocity) and hot new marketing exec, Jordan (Steve Braun, True Calling, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle), but with Mitchee and Farrah in charge, this business - and this family - are going to need a lot of, um, support. From KoMut Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. with executive producers David Kohan and Max Mutchnick (Will & Grace, Boston Common).
9:00-9:30 p.m. REBA
Returning for its fifth season on The WB, the series stars Reba McEntire, Christopher Rich, Melissa Peterman, JoAnna Garcia, Steve Howey, Scarlett Pomers and Mitch Holleman. Kevin Abbott, Mindy Schultheis, Michael Hanel and Matt Berry serve as executive producers. Chris Case, Pat Bullard, Reba McEntire, Patti Carr & Lara Runnells and Don Beck are co-executive producers on the series produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Acme Productions.
9:30-10:00 p.m. LIVING WITH FRAN
Returning for its second season on The WB, the series stars Fran Drescher, Ben Feldman, Ryan McPartlin and Misti Traya. Robert Myer, Jamie Kennedy, David Garrett & Jason Ward and Fran Drescher serve as executive producers on the series produced by Regency Television.
Sunday
8:00-9:00 p.m. CHARMED
Returning for its eighth 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. BLUE COLLAR TV
Returning for its second season on The WB, the series stars Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy, Brooke Dillman, Ashley Drane, Ayda Field, Heath Hyche, Peter Oldring and Gary Anthony Williams. Fax Bahr, Adam Small, Jeff Foxworthy, J.P. Williams, Garry Campbell and Brian Hartt serve as executive producers on the series from Bahr/Small Productions and Parallel Entertainment in association with Riverside Productions, Inc., distributed by Warner Bros. Television.
MIDSEASON SERIES
PEPPER DENNIS
Feature film star and supermodel Rebecca Romijn (X-Men, Just Shoot Me) stars as Pepper Dennis, a beautiful and ambitious reporter with her sights set on anchoring Chicago's top-rated evening news broadcast. Pepper's career is her top priority, but she does have close friends, especially the station's makeup artist Kimmy (Lindsay Price, Beverly Hills, 90210) and cameraman Chick (Rider Strong, Boy Meets World), who has a secret crush on Pepper. Complicating Pepper's daily life is the fact that her spoiled, needy and recently separated sister Kathy (Brooke Burns, North Shore," Baywatch) has moved in with her. Worst of all, the hot guy Pepper woke up with this morning, Charlie Bishop (Josh Hopkins, The Perfect Storm, Ally McBeal), just showed up in the newsroom, grabbed her dream job and is now practically her boss. She's trying to despise him, but Charlie is smart, handsome, funny, available and interested. Office romances can be so complicated. From 20th Century Fox Television and writers/executive producers Gretchen J. Berg & Aaron Harberts (Wonderfalls, Roswell, Beverly Hills, 90210) and director/executive producer Shawn Levy (The Pink Panther, Cheaper by the Dozen, Big Fat Liar).
THE BEDFORD DIARIES
The Bedford Diaries explores contemporary New York City-based college life through the unique prism of a provocative Human Behavior and Sexuality class. Controversial and charismatic Professor Macklin (Emmy Award-nominated Matthew Modine, And the Band Played On, Any Given Sunday) will challenge and inspire the show's youthful ensemble of students as they explore their identities, relationships and sexuality in the most exciting city in the world. Among the students is the smart and attractive Sarah (Tiffany Dupont, Cheaper by the Dozen). Sarah has everything going for her until her brother Owen (Penn Badgely, The Mountain) walks into class. It's one thing to share in class, but Sarah hadn't planned on discussing her sexuality in front of a sibling. Owen's new class partner is Natalie, The Jumper (Corri English, The Dale Earnhardt Story). Two years ago, Natalie had a change of heart mid-dive off the roof of the Student Union. Now physically recovered, she has to face the gossip mill and her ex, Richard (Milo Ventimiglia, Gilmore Girls, American Dreams). The quintessential Park Avenue bad boy up until the moment his girlfriend jumped, Richard is now a semi-changed man - sober, attending class and editor-in-chief of The Bedford Bugle. In stark contrast is the working-class Lee (Ernest Waddell, As the World Turns), who has a noble heart, an artistic soul, a serious girlfriend and a fascination with Zoe (Victoria Cartagena, Baby Fat). Zoe talks a fast, flirty and kinky game, but despite her brash veneer, she's still a virgin. Also starring Audra McDonald (Wit, Law & Order) and Peter Gerety (The Legend of Bagger Vance). From HBO Independent Productions, Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. and The Levinson/Fontana Co. with executive producers Tom Fontana (Oz, Homicide: Life on The Street), Jim Finnerty (The Jury," Oz") and Julie Martin (Homicide: Life on the Street), along with executive producer Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Diner).
"MISCONCEPTIONS"
Amanda Watson (Jane Leeves, Frasier") was more than a little shocked to find out that all her teenage daughter Hopper (Taylor Momsen, Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams") wanted for her birthday was to meet her biological father. After all, Hopper has always heard that her dad is well-bred, handsome, athletic, well-educated and a successful doctor. The only problem is Amanda never actually met him, she only knows him from the profile she was given at the Ivy League sperm bank. After discussing the situation with Horace (French Stewart, "3rd Rock From the Sun"), her best friend and co-worker at an art museum in Chicago, Amanda decides it's time to track down the father of her child and is mortified to discover that her supposedly ideal donor was not the Olympic medalist, Yale-educated surgeon that she has imagined all these years. Meet Eddie Caprio (Adam Rothenberg, Coyote Beach"), a man who needed a little cash after junior college and lied about his identity. Eddie has a certain undeniable charm, yet he's too scattered and immature for Amanda's taste. He can't hold a job, he prefers beer to fine wine, and his idea of dressing up is wearing a clean baseball cap. In Amanda's eyes, Eddie is barely capable of taking care of himself, let alone Hopper. However, when Eddie tracks her down, Hopper falls head-over-heels for her fun-loving dad, and Amanda is forced to allow him to be part of their lives. Could Eddie's appeal be getting through to Amanda, too? Apparently, they're going to have plenty of time to find out. From Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television with executive producers Brian Grazer (Arrested Development," 24, A Beautiful Mind"), David Nevins (Arrested Development," 24," Miss Match"), Jeff Kleeman (Titanic," Golden Eye," Sleepy Hollow") and Michael Saltzman (The Pink Panther," The Naked Truth," Murphy Brown," Wings").
MODERN MEN
Tim (Josh Braaten, Less Than Perfect"), Kyle (Max Greenfield, Veronica Mars") and Doug (Eric Lively, The L Word") are childhood friends who are at different stages in their lives when it comes to women. Doug can't move on from his ex-wife, Kyle is a womanizing bachelor, and Tim's relationships keep falling apart due to...well, he doesn't actually know. Tim's sister Tina (Marla Sokoloff, Desperate Housewives," The Practice"), a confident young law student, tries to make him understand that today's career-minded, self-sufficient women don't need a man for support, they're looking for a deeper and more meaningful connection. Though their situations are different, each of these guys has come to the same realization -- it takes a lot more than they expected to keep a woman happy and satisfied. After getting no help from Tim's dad Tug (George Wendt, Cheers"), who's stuck in the Stone Age when it comes to the opposite sex, Tim, Kyle and Doug are just desperate enough to seek the help of Dr. Stangl (guest star Wendie Malick, Frasier," Just Shoot Me"), a renowned life coach. Now the question is whether these guys are capable of taking Dr. Stangl's advice and applying it to their every day situations. This fresh, male perspective on modern relationships is from Emmy Award-winning executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer CSI," Cold Case," Without a Trace"). Joining Bruckheimer are executive producers Jonathan Littman (Without A Trace," the CSI" and The Amazing Race" franchises) and Marsh McCall (Just Shoot Me," The Naked Truth"), along with co-executive producers Ross McCall and Aaron Peters (Just Shoot Me," The Simple Life"). From Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.

FOX Wants '24' Times Two

(zap2it.com)--Stealing some of the thunder from networks with early upfront presentations, FOX reportedly has a deal in place to bring back "24" for two seasons, a move that would come fast on the heels of the third season renewal for "Arrested Development."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, negotiations between FOX and the studio over "24" were complicated by the producers' attempt to secure a higher license fee in order to handle the lofty production costs on the fourth year drama.

There had been rumors that the lengthy discussions might allow another network -- possibly NBC -- to sneak in and steal the show.

FOX held "24" off its fall schedule this past year in order to launch a repeat-free season beginning in January. The move has paid off in spades, as the Kiefer Sutherland series has averaged just under 12 million viewers per week, as particularly impressive achievement given the show's generally so-so lead-ins. The show is approaching a two-hour finale on Monday, May 23.

A three-time nominee for outstanding drama series, "24" won the Golden Globe for best television series, drama, in 2004.

FOX will announce its complete 2005-06 schedule on Thursday.

More show, less tell
NBC's "upfront" presentation at Radio City Music Hall was a rather mundane corporate affair, despite the occasional unshaven actor.
CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK By Paul Brownfield Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Maybe it was the setting Radio City Music Hall and my neophyte standing as an "upfront" attendee (what do you mean, no press entrance? You mean I have to stand with all these advertising people and make conversation?), but I was expecting a little more show from the NBC presentation Monday.

Not "Spamalot," the hottest musical on Broadway, or even the Rockettes. But the 2 1/2-hour presentation unspooled as a rather mundane corporate affair, the spin intermittently broken by yet another unshaven actor or low-cut-dress-wearing actress walking out onstage to say what an honor it is to be at the network (OK, Benjamin Bratt had shaved), and what an honor it would be for you, the advertiser in the audience, to buy time on their show.

An upfront presentation is, to be sure, a uniquely strange thing the only time, on the same bill, you'll see Dennis Hopper say nothing and Jamie Foxx sing "America the Beautiful" while men in suits extol the performance of their network among viewers who make more than $75,000 a year.

Your emcees for the afternoon are the guys in suits in this case, Jeff Zucker, president of the newly merged NBC Universal Television Group, and Kevin Reilly, the network's programming chief.

They are natural exaggerators but not, it should be said, natural performers. For most of the show, Zucker was standing at a lectern, stage left, with Reilly at a similar lectern, stage right. Between the men and hovering over them like a satellite hookup to God was a movie-theater-sized screen, alternately previewing new series and taking us back to the hits that continue to make NBC great, including "Will & Grace" and "Law & Order."

Occasionally, the two acknowledged an NBC dignitary in the crowd "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams, for instance; Donald Trump, star of "The Apprentice"; and Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive of NBC Universal. Applause came from somewhere, you couldn't be sure.

But before all of that, before Zucker and Reilly appeared, the show kicked off with some comedy relief, NBC making fun of its own flagging fortunes Tina Fey and Amy Poehler of "Saturday Night Live" sitting at the "Weekend Update" anchor desk. Their bit was shorter than a full "Weekend Update," but the three or four "Desperate Housewives" jokes made the segment feel as long.

"There is a rumor that NBC passed on 'Desperate Housewives,' " Poehler said. "That's not true. They passed on 'Lost.' "

See, if the advertisers feel you can make fun of your failures, they'll be more inclined to buy time on your new shows. At least that's the theory. Having established the conflict and the motivation for change (the backbone of any good narrative), NBC's top brass then introduced a rhyme.

"Get out of the gate at 8,

"Add shows that rate,

"Stay strong late."

I guess nothing rhymes as well with "Joey." After the rhyme came the announcement of the new fall schedule, which, by the end of the presentation, looked like the old fall schedule, except for the fact that "The West Wing" is moving to Sunday nights at 8. In all, NBC is drizzling six new series across its fall prime-time lineup, including "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart," Wednesday nights at 8. You could feel the air go out of the hall when Stewart came onstage to say a few words. She was dressed in a crème-colored pantsuit that nicely accentuated her coloring while coolly obscuring her court-mandated ankle bracelet. "America is in for a surprise," she said in that Martha Stewart monotone, in which you can't tell if she feels.

Reilly introduced "Fathom," a new thriller, by saying that it was "one part 'E.T.,' one part 'Independence Day,' but start it all in the ocean." I was still trying to sort that out in my head when the cast came onstage, including Lake Bell, who promised edge-of-your-seat action. She was wearing a low-cut dress. It is the best part of upfronts, the presentation of the casts; they're like new makes of cars in a glittering showroom. Benjamin Bratt spoke for "E-Ring," a new drama from mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer, set at the Pentagon and starring Bratt as an idealistic young charge to Dennis Hopper's old-dog colonel.

There is also "Inconceivable," set at a fertility clinic. Though NBC is kind of burying this one Friday nights at 10, it has the suggestion of FX's "Nip/Tuck," a dramedy that wants to do for sperm donation and egg harvesting what "Nip/Tuck" has done for plastic surgery. "Inconceivable" stars Ming-Na, who was wearing a dress that obscured her belly. Hmm.

Mostly, Zucker and Reilly sought to reassure advertisers that people who earn $75,000 a year and up still like their shows. In fact, Zucker said, NBC still boasts eight of the top 10 shows among what he likes to call "upscale viewers."

There followed a chart on the big screen. One of those shows on the list, I noticed, was the sitcom "Committed," which NBC canceled before you could say, well, committed. By the time Foxx was crooning "America the Beautiful," accompanied by a lone drummer and a video package from the last Winter Olympic Games, we had moved well past comedy and were deep in the heart of bathos.

During the show, I got up to use the bathroom and was dismayed to discover not a single refreshment stand not a $6 bottle of Poland Spring to be had in the entire lobby. Just agent and executive types pacing about speaking in TV code into their cellphones.

The WB's Schedule Mixes New and Old

(zap2it.com)--After last season's drama hopefuls suffered noble -- underwatched critical favorite "Jack & Bobby" -- and ignoble -- despised dud "The Mountain" -- demises, The WB has gone back to the drawing board for a new schedule that's heavy on new dramas and light on the network's never-ending quest to find comedy hits.

The WB's ratings for the season are roughly flat, as the netlet continues its seemingly endless battle with UPN for fifth place. Although several of its signature dramas are showing a bit of age, each of The WB's three fresh hour-longs -- "Just Legal," "Supernatural" and "Related" -- will be cushioned by a proven winner.

Despite the network's much maligned track record with humorous projects, The WB's only returning shows from the past year are "Living with Fran" and "Blue Collar TV," hence a slate that includes only one new comedy, "Twins."

"Our goal was to develop distinct and original series from the top producers working in the medium today," says WB Entertainment President David Janollari. "Finding the next group of hot buzz-worthy WB shows has been the guiding mission of our development season. The blend of A-list executive producers that have come to the network for the first time, along with our homegrown superstars, form the creative backbone of our new schedule."

Showing stability at the top, The WB's week will begin with "7th Heaven," entering its 10th season, at 8 p.m. ET. "Just Legal" takes over the "Everwood" 9 p.m. slot. That series, executive produced by hitmaker Jerry Bruckheimer, stars Jay Baruchel ("Undeclared") as a legal prodigy learning the ropes from a legendary burnout (Don Johnson).

"Jerry Bruckheimer is the master of the genre, and the pairing of Don Johnson, who is renowned for playing tough guys in buddy comedy roles, with Jay Baruchel, one of the most accomplished young actors of his generation, is the foundation for a great series," says Janollari in a chatty statement that raves about all of the netlet's new offerings.

"Gilmore Girls" holds onto its Tuesday lead position, as it comes off a critically acclaimed and ratings rejuvenated fifth season that ends Tuesday (May 17) with a whopper of a cliffhanger. Former "Gilmore" love interest Jared Padalecki and one-time "Smallville" co-star Jensen Ackles are familiar faces at the network and will take over the 9 p.m. slot with "Supernatural." The McG-produced drama focuses on two brothers traveling the country in the '67 Chevy Impala hunting down evil supernatural forces.

"This is one wild ride of a pilot, and this show is going to scare the living daylights out of people every week," raves Janollari of "Supernatural. "McG and Eric Kripke have crafted a genuinely frightening hour of television with two hot young leads familiar to our audience. It flat out delivers the goods."

The WB is moving "One Tree Hill" to Wednesday nights for its third season. The teen soap, which once had something to do with basketball, will lead into "Related," from "Friends" vet Marta Kauffman, focusing on a group of sisters living in New York City.

After years of avoiding a Thursday commitment, The WB is attacking the night, recruiting "Smallville" from Wednesdays and "Everwood" from Mondays.

Comedy will still reign on Friday nights, led by the venerably low rated Amanda Bynes sitcom "What I Like About You." Sara Gilbert ("Roseanne") and Molly Stanton play mismatched twins in the appropriately named "Twins," which co-stars Melanie Griffith and will have an 8:30 p.m. home. The night closes strongly with "Reba," back for its fifth season, and midseason minor success "Living with Fran."

Sundays will remain pretty much the same for The WB, beginning with an hour of "Reba" encores" at 7 p.m. and continuing into the unkillable "Charmed" at 8. "Blue Collar TV" steps in for "Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge" in the impossible 9 p.m. slot.

In addition, The WB has ordered a pair of midseason comedies and dramas.

Alan: Brownfield was trying to be funny.
His is a critic's videw of the upfronts, which are tremendously bizarre on their own.

Another Sweeps Win Goes to CBS

(zap2it.com)--CBS' margin of victory for the week ending Sunday, May 16 was so wide that it's unclear if the other networks even noticed that this was supposed to be part of the crucial May sweeps period.

Overall, CBS averaged a 9.3 rating/16 share, pulling in 14.81 million viewers per night in primetime. The other networks were just stumbling along far behind. NBC had the second best ratings, with a 6.2/10, but NBC's average audience of 9.08 million was behind the 9.31 million for FOX (5.8/10) and the 9.11 million for ABC (6.0/10). On the netlet side, UPN did a 2.4/4 and 3.75 million viewers, better than the 2.2/4 and 3.34 million for The WB.

CBS also won in the coveted demographic of adults 18-49, doing a 4.8 rating in that important age range. FOX was second with a 4.0 rating, followed by ABC's 3.4 rating and the 3.2 rating for NBC. UPN held onto fifth with a 1.6 rating, besting the 1.4 for The WB.

With "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (16.2/25), CBS had the week's top rated show, posting 10 of the Top 20. The popular procedural helped pace the network's strong Thursday, which also included good returns for "Without a Trace" (12.1/20, 7th) and "Survivor: Palau" (11.7/19, 8th). The Sunday finale of "Palau" was No. 11 with an 11.4/17 and the subsequent reunion show came in at No. 20 with a 9.1/15.

Monday was another great night for CBS, led by "CSI: Miami" at No. 5 with a 13.1/21 and followed closely by "Everybody Loves Raymond" (12.7/19, 6th) and "Two and a Half Men" (11.5/17, 10th). Wednesday's "CSI: NY" (9.7/16) and Tuesday's "Amazing Race" finale (9.6/15, 17th) also proved listworthy for CBS.

NBC's week was driven by Thursday's "ER" (11.4/19, 10th) and "Apprentice 3" (9.7/15, 17th), as well as Tuesday's episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (10.1/16, 15th).

ABC's freshman dramas were strong as ever. "Desperate Housewives" did a 15.8/23, to rank as television's second rated show, boosting "Grey's Anatomy" to No. 9 with an 11.6/16. The "Housewives" halo effect was strong enough to get "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to No. 15 with a 10.1/16, just behind Wednesday's "Lost," which was No. 14 with a 10.6/17.

While several other programs had higher ratings, television's most watched show for the week was Wednesday's "American Idol" (15.5/23, 3rd) with 26.63 million viewers. The Tuesday show was No. 4 with a 14.6/24. FOX's other Top 20 entry was "House" at No. 13 with an 11.3/17.

UPN got a 3.7/6 for "America's Next Top Model," good for No. 71 and just ahead of The WB's best, which was a "Gilmore Girls" episode at No. 77 with a 3.5/6.

Upfront and center

Network executives and celebrities gather in Manhattan this week, making their best pitch to advertisers about the new 2005-06 season in an annual ritual known as the upfront. Los Angeles Times reporters are filing the latest updates about prime-time shows, flashy presentations and parties here.

By Shawn Hubler, The Los Angeles Times with dispatches from Matea Gold and Maria Elena Fernandez in New York
Day 2

Bruckheimer Alert! Incoming! The WB gets his new legal drama at 9 p.m. Mondays.

Starring Don Johnson (who else?) and young Jay Baruchel, who was in "Million Dollar Baby." Plus: More Bruckheimer to come! "Modern Men", his first comedy, is slated for midseason. Wendie Malick is in the pilot but apparently, due to ABC's renewal of "Jake in Progress", in which she plays Jake's boss, Malick won't stay. WB Entertainment President David Janollari said he thought he was safe casting her because of "Jake's" low ratings.

Bruckheimer (or "God" as the networks like to call him) was at Madison Square Garden for the WB's presentation this morning.

Many we-are-not-worthy ministrations.

Much worshipful applause.

More WBulletins: "Jack and Bobby" cancelled. But its executive vice president of sales is pretty sure that "05-06 is going to be the year of WB."

We're pretty sure it is, too, if by "05-06" you mean your kid's school year. Execs at the "Be Young" network said their strategy this year would be to approach their key 12-to-34-year-old demographic from a slightly more adult direction. If by adult you mean Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson.

Here was the opening pitch:
Video of nubile young stars kissing.

Video of nubile young stars flirting.

Video of nubile young stars draping themselves over each other in sultry poses.

Ashton Kutcher.
"Blah blah blah," said Kutcher. This was while he was ambling onto the stage with "Punk'd" co-creator Josh Goldberg to interrupt Janollari's speech.

Kutcher and Goldberg are producing a new WB reality show airing next month, "Beauty and the Geek."

"People are falling asleep and you're still on hello," Kutcher told the network exec. Then he took the lectern to tell the advertisers the key points of his new show.

"There's hot chicks...and it's funny, too."

We turned around, and they were gone: The highly acclaimed, critically loved but (see "Arrested Development") unfortunately under-watched "Jack and Bobby" is outta there.

"It was a really, really hard decision," said Janollari. "We agonized over it 'til the last possible minute. Personally I love the show. At the end of the day, we could not find enough spark of audience traction for it being on one of our important time slots."

Other WB highlights

"Twins", a new comedy from the creators of "Will & Grace" will star Sara Gillbert and Molly Stanton as twins, except one's a dumb blonde and one is a brainiac who looks like she came from "Roseanne" (because that's where she came from). With jokes about butt-puckering. Plus Melanie Griffith is their bombshell airhead mom, Fridays at 8:30 p.m.

"One Tree Hill" was the fastest growing show this season and they're using it this year at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays to launch "Related," a promising new dramedy/chick show about four sisters who are "a bundle of contradictions."

The show was created by Marta Kaufman of "Friends" and the writer from "Sex & the City" who co-wrote the bestselling "He's Just Not That Into You."

"Blue Collar TV," with Jeff Foxworthy will continue to brazenly bid for the half-dozen or so Americans who won't be riveted to "Desperate Housewives" on Sundays at 9 p.m. Janollari's best argument for changing channels: "These are three guys you will never find on Wisteria Lane."

And now that you mention it: Did we say ABC would be hawking like a late-night TV car dealer? God love Stephen McPherson, ABC's head of primetime entertainment, but Cal Worthington he ain't.

"'Invasion' is spectacular," McPherson quietly droned this morning to the press at a steak house in Manhattan. Yes, it was early. Yes, he'd been up late tweaking the schedule. Yes, he's a matter-of-fact type.

But what the hey! This guy has "Desperate Housewives"! And "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"! And we can't be around TV people for more than five minutes before we start talking like this! What kind of zenmaster Yoda fiend can have that job and still keep sounding like a monotonal waiter rattling off the daily specials?!

"'Crumbs' really will be a great piece of business for us midseason," he sort of sighed.

The WB in Fall 2005

By Marc Berman and A.J. Frutkin mediaweek.com

In his opening remarks to advertisers at the WB upfront Tuesday morning, chairman Garth Ancier said the network's goal next season is to "build on our strong bond with 12-24 viewers, and extend that bond to 12-34 viewers."

Ancier also noted that the network has extended its creative reach, by tapping not only emerging writers, but A-list creators and show runners, including Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Fontana, Marta Kauffman, and David Kohan and Max Mutchnick.

In pursuit of its goals, the WB will introduce four new series this fall (one comedy and three dramas). The network also is hoping to build momentum, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday, by moving four established series -- One Tree Hill, Smallville, Everwood and Blue Collar TV -- into new time periods. Unlike ABC and NBC, which already announced their fall 2005 prime-time line-ups, the WB will make changes on every night of the week. Wednesday and Thursday will be completely revamped.

Additionally, the WB will introduce two new sitcoms (Misconception and Modern Men), and two new dramas (The Bedford Diaries and Pepper Dennis) at midseason. In the movie department are theatricals 8 Mile and The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers, and made-for Felicity: An American Girl Adventures. Fans of Keri Russell, take note -- this Felicity is not based on the cult 1998-2002 WB drama.

In returning series news, season eight of Charmed will feature Extra anchor Mark McGrath, while a double dose of the network's one bona fide hit sitcom, Reba, will air in the Sunday 7 p.m. hour. Not returning next season on the WB are Jack & Bobby, Summerland (which will burn off its five remaining episodes this summer), and Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge.

Is ABC Trying to Kill Off Alias?

(From Michael Ausiello's Entertainment News at TVGuide.com

If Jennifer Garner's rumored pregnancy doesn't derail the fifth season of Alias, this certainly will: ABC is shifting the spy thriller to Thursdays at 8 pm. The resurgent network is also moving Lost back an hour, to Wednesdays at 9 pm. It's all part of an aggressive new fall schedule that features six new dramas and five new comedies. The new shows include alien-conspiracy thriller Invasion, comedies starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Fred Savage and Heather Graham, and Commander in Chief, featuring Geena Davis as the first female president. Gone are My Wife & Kids, 8 Simple Rules, Complete Savages, Blind Justice and Eyes. And in a head-scratcher of a decision, the net has opted not to euthanize The Bachelor; the ailing franchise will return at midseason after Monday Night Football wraps. So, let me get this straight: Eyes is dead, but The Bachelor is alive and kicking? OK, just checking.

NBC: 8 O'clock Rocks

(From Stephen Battaglio's The Biz Column at TVGuide.com)

NBC schedule aims for "big tent" shows to lead off each night

It's simply not a scenario we would have imagined a year ago: NBC executives unveiling a schedule aimed at getting the network out of fourth place.
But there they were at Radio City Music Hall on Monday. Life without Friends on Thursday night has been very cruel to the Peacock.
NBC will try to launch a comeback by leading off each night with broad appeal shows in the hope of feeding viewers into its 9 and 10 pm entries. Here's what the network will look like each night:

MONDAY

NBC leads off with Fathom, a new hour drama about strange sea creatures that appear in various locations around the world and the people who are terrified by them. It's the first sign of what's likely to be a disease that will spread through the new schedules presented this week Lost-itis. You can bet that a things-are-not-what-they-appear-to-be creepiness will abound in many of this season's new shows. NBC entertainment president Kevin Reilly called Fathom a "big tent show" that adults and kids will watch together, the way they gathered around the electronic hearth each week for Fear Factor (which NBC will schedule against American Idol in midseason). Las Vegas returns at 9 pm, while Medium is back at 10.

TUESDAY

We'll avoid the cheap big-tent gag here, where NBC will kicks off the night with the return of its weight-loss show The Biggest Loser. Apparently it was the highest-rated new reality show of the past season. That's kind of like being the best performing stock of 1929. NBC president Jeff Zucker predicted bigger ratings for Loser next time around and believes it can provide a decent lead-in for a new offbeat comedy at 9, My Name Is Earl. It stars Jason Lee as a dimwitted petty thief who wins the lottery and decides to try to correct the wrongs from his past. Reilly said it was the highest testing pilot on the network in 15 years. Might that be because viewers usually respond well to shows with a feel-good premise? We'll see. It received the most positive response from the audience of ad execs at Radio City.
NBC is showing some rare patience by returning The Office at 9:30. The quirky comedy was well-received by most critics and opened well in its Thursday premiere, but was later crushed when it moved to Tuesday. With such a decline in ratings this season, NBC will be emphasizing the affluence of its audience to advertisers. And that's about all it can really say to tout The Office at this point. (Where is Scrubs? It's slated to return in midseason, since production will be delayed by Zack Braff's work on a feature film.) Law & Order: SVU, is back at 10 pm.

WEDNESDAY

The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, starring you-know-who, will launch at 8 on this night. Why put on another Apprentice when ratings for Donald Trump's version is slipping on Thursday? "There is a tremendous curiosity with Martha right now," says Reilly. "We thought it was our best chance to create some buzz."
With that in mind, it was odd how low-key Stewart was when she came out onto the Radio City stage during NBC's upfront presentation. Was her probation officer in the audience to make sure she wasn't having too much fun? We waiting for a funny tape to come on the screen behind her or at least a gag about her electronic ankle bracelet. Nothing. Her appearance was as exciting as one of her company's shareholder meetings after a really bad quarter.
NBC hopes that Martha will feed viewers into 9 pm, when the network tries to get on the Jerry Bruckheimer gravy train with E-Ring. You know that America has changed when Dennis Hopper has gone from Easy Rider to the Pentagon. Law & Order: Original Flavor returns at 10.

THURSDAY

We could have sworn Joey was moving to Tuesday so NBC would no longer have to put up with the ugly ratings comparisons to Friends. But the whole night is returning intact, with Joey at 8, the final season of Will & Grace at 8:30, The Apprentice at 9 and ER at 10. Our guess is that even though ratings on the night were down substantially from the previous season, NBC's ad-sales department didn't want to take any chances with changes (movie studios, retailers and automotive companies pay big bucks for Thursday night ad time to get viewer eyeballs before the weekend). They may have gotten wind of ABC's plans to get more aggressive on the night. Alias is moving to Thursday at 8.
As for Joey, Zucker and Reilly finally acknowledged that its first season was something less wonderful than sliced bread. "A mixed bag," they said. "Needs a few more cast members." But they still believe in the appeal of Matt LeBlanc's character. Looks like he'll have one more season to make it work.
NBC does have one new comedy that looked like it had a whiff of Must-See-TV-ness to it: Four Kings, which stars Seth Green. It's about four longtime New York buddies who move into the apartment that one of them inherits from his grandmother. But NBC's play-it-safe strategy will keep it on the bench until later this season.

FRIDAY

NBC gets deeper into the feel-good reality genre with Three Wishes. Country music singer Amy Grant and a team of experts could soon be rolling into your town to cure your sick kid, fast-track your adoption papers or save a popular teacher's job after the school board cuts the budget. There were lots of tears and hugs in the clips. NBC successfully hit the heart strings on 8 pm on this night in the past with Providence, so this has a shot.
Dateline NBC is back at 9. At 10, NBC will try Inconceivable, a new drama set in a fertility clinic. Let's just say we wouldn't want to be in charge of the props on this show.

SATURDAY

NBC will air movies and probably episodes of Law & Order: Oh, I Haven't Seen This One.

SUNDAY

Dateline returns at 7, while The West Wing moves to 8. The White House drama is pretty long in the tooth for a move to a new night. With a story line that will lead to a new president, the show is getting one more chance away from Fox's Idol juggernaut. Law & Order: Criminal Intent is back at 9 and Crossing Jordan returns at 10 as NBC runs out the clock on this night until it gets NFL football next year.

UPFRONTS JOURNAL
By Virginia Heffernan Television Critic of The New York Times at the Television Upfronts

ABC AT AVERY FISHER HALL| 05.17 4:50 PM

Goodbye Gray Sky, Hello Blue

So ABC didn't start with a tribute to "Desperate Housewives." That came later when they ran a clip of Laura Bush at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner declaring she was a fan. But first the high-flying network showed a montage of its golden age: "Love Boat" and "Happy Days" and "Laverne and Shirley" and "Welcome Back Kotter" and "Fantasy Island." It does feel like those days are back. ABC is the happy network. Like when we were kids.

ABC AT AVERY FISHER HALL| 05.17 4:32 PM

'There's Techno Music'

It's going to be hard to stay aloof and undazzled during the ABC presentation about to start at Lincoln Center. For one, we're required to wear big laminated ABC prime-time schedules around our necks. ABC is our daddy. And Avery Fisher Hall just looks pretty, too: the monitors on stage are sparkling with stars and happy popping bubbles. There's techno music. So this is what gloating looks like.
I'm going to have to take this stupid schedule necklace off.

slocko:
CBS will announce its schedule tomorrow, and Amazing Race info should be forthcoming there.
As far as I know none of the previous Amazing Race seasons have yet been released on DVD.
Perhaps Fox's soon-to-start reality channel will run them?