Network Scorecard: FOX

Sadly, this is it. The end of Upfronts week. Traditionally FOX has the last announcements of the season and they've made a pledge to keep their presentations this year to a shorter-than-short one-hour, a welcome respite from this week's low points which included a song-and-dance from the cast of Ugly Betty, a gruesomely dull (and yet unintentionally hilarious) interactive Bingo Night preview, and Les Moonves using the word "dude."

Will FOX do something zany like shift their popular Sunday night animation block to the middle of the week? Or push Bones to Friday? Let's find out.

"This is the most stable and most vibrant schedule ever presented by FOX one that is sure to help us secure our fourth consecutive season as the No. 1 network in key demos," said FOX Entertainment President Peter Liguori. "We'll have a balanced schedule across the week, and we expect a significantly stronger fourth quarter. And in early 2008, 24 and American Idol, along with unprecedented sporting events in primetime including the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 will allow us to launch additional series and position ourselves for another dominant season.

We'll have returning shows on six nights in the fall and every night of the week come January. We're introducing new series that are distinctive, compelling, and which have impressive auspices. New series will be paired with returning hits to create a balanced, competitive, solid schedule"

Without further ado, here's a look at FOX's official schedule now.

FOX Primetime Schedule for the 2007-08 Season (Fall):

MONDAY
8-9 pm: Prison Break
9-10 pm: K-Ville

TUESDAY
8-9 pm: New Amsterdam
9-10 pm: House

WEDNESDAY
8-8:30 pm: Back to You
8:30-9 pm: 'Til Death
9-10 pm: Bones

THURSDAY
8-9 pm: Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
9-10 pm: Kitchen Nightmares

FRIDAY
8-9 pm: The Search for the Next Great American Band
9-10 pm: Nashville

SATURDAY
8-9 pm: COPS
9-10 pm: America's Most Wanted
11 pm-Midnight: MADtv
Midnight-12:30 am: Talk Show with Spike Feresten

SUNDAY
7-8 pm: The OT (NFL post-game)
8-8:30 pm: The Simpsons
8:30-9 pm: King of the Hill
9-9:30 pm: Family Guy
9:30-10 pm: American Dad


FOX Primetime Schedule for the 2007-08 Season (Midseason):

MONDAY
8-9 pm: K-Ville (January)/Prison Break
9-10 pm: 24

TUESDAY
8-9 pm: American Idol
9-10 pm: House

WEDNESDAY (January)
8-8:30 pm: Back to You
8:30-9 pm: 'Til Death
9-10 pm: American Idol

WEDNESDAY (Spring)
8-8:30 pm: Back to You
8:30-9 pm: The Return of Jezebel James
9-9:30 pm: American Idol Results Show
9:30-10 pm: 'Til Death

THURSDAY
8-9 pm: Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
9-10 pm: Canterbury's Law

FRIDAY
8-9 pm: Bones
9-10 pm: New Amsterdam

SATURDAY
8-9 pm: COPS
9-10 pm: America's Most Wanted
11 pm-Midnight: MADtv
Midnight-12:30 am: Talk Show with Spike Feresten

SUNDAY
7-7:30 pm: King of the Hill
7:30-8 pm: American Dad
8-8:30 pm: The Simpsons
8:30-9 pm: Family Guy
9-10 pm: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

For those of you keeping track of such things, here's how the FOX schedule stacks up.

Returning Series:
Bones, House, Prison Break, 'Til Death, The Simpsons, American Dad, King of the Hill, Family Guy, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?, COPS, America's Most Wanted, MADtv, Talk Show with Spike Feresten

New Series:
Back to You, Kitchen Nightmares, K-Ville, New Amsterdam, The Search for the Next Great American Band, Nashville

Midseason Launches/Returns:
24, The Sarah Connor Chronicles, American Idol, Canterbury's Law, The Return of Jezebel James, The Rules for Starting Over

Summer Launch:
Anchorwoman, So You Think You Can Dance, On the Lot, Hell's Kitchen

Cancelled:
Drive, Wedding Bells, The O.C., Standoff

Reactions:
As usual, FOX has announced both its fall and spring schedules, shifting a few series around (and bringing in a few new ones) once 24 and American Idol return in January. Launching Sarah Connor Chronicles on Sunday nights in January, rather than behind 24? Gutsy, though it's the same timeslot that made The X-Files a global phenomenon.

I wish that Jezebel James was launching in the fall (need my AS-P fix ASAP) rather than midseason, though I have to be honest and say that I wasn't blown away by the sizzle reel they assembled for the new midseason comedy (I'll watch the pilot itself tomorrow night and report back).

Kitchen Nightmares could be some good counter-programming or it could backfire completely (after all, I'm devoted to The Office as much as I love Ramsay's original UK version), but it will probably find some traction behind Are You Smarter?

No interest in K-Ville. Sorry, but it's true. I'll be watching the pilot next week but it's not on my radar whatsoever.

Why in the world would they order Nashville? Friday nights seem doomed as usual over on the FOX network. I wish they'd stick New Amsterdam over there now rather than in midseason. And where, oh where, will The Rules for Starting Over go come spring? Hmm...

And thus ends another network upfronts week. Whew. It's been a tiring one, but I do love my recycled billboard tote from the CW. It's a nifty gifty.

Network Scorecard: CW

Ah, the CW. I can't tell you how angry I am with this whole Veronica Mars cancellation deal. Seriously, I know you're trying to give the fans a (false) sense of a reprieve while Rob Thomas goes off and writes a script while you wait out the clock on the actor's contracts (June 15th and ticking!), but I wish you'd have the guts to just be honest.

There. I've made my peace. Now onto what you really want to know: just what will the CW look like in its second year on the air? (Answer: Rather similiar to what it did last year, just without any series with critical traction.)

Rather than wait those few minutes until CW's official upfront presentation, here's a look at their official schedule now.

CW Primetime Schedule for the 2007-08 Season:

MONDAY
8-8:30 pm: Everybody Hates Chris
8:30-9 pm: Aliens in America
9-9:30 pm: Girlfriends
9:30-10 pm: The Game

TUESDAY
8-9 pm: Beauty and the Geek
9-10 pm: Reaper

WEDNESDAY
8-9 pm: America's Next Top Model
9-10 pm: Gossip Girl

THURSDAY
8-9 pm: Smallville
9-10 pm: Supernatural

FRIDAY
8-10 pm: WWE Smackdown

SUNDAY
7-7:30 pm: CW Now
7:30-8 pm: Online Nation
8-9 pm: Life is Wild
9-10 pm: America's Next Top Model (Repeat)

For those of you keeping track of such things, here's how the CW schedule stacks up.

Returning Series:
America's Next Top Model, Beauty and the Geek, Everybody Hates Chris, Girlfriends, The Game, Smallville, Supernatural

New Series:
Aliens in America, Reaper, Gossip Girl, CW Now, Online Nation, Life is Wild

New Timeslots for Returning Series:
Beauty and the Geek

Midseason Launches/Returns:
Crowned, Farmer Wants a Wife, One Tree Hill, Pussycat Dolls II

Summer Launch:
Hidden Palms

Cancelled:
All of Us, Gilmore Girls, Reba, Seventh Heaven, Veronica Mars (TBC)

Reactions:
To be totally honest, I don't have much to say about the announced lineup. I love Beauty and the Geek and America's Next Top Model but there's nothing else (save, maybe Chris) that is going to get me to tune in anymore.

Some of you will have your favorites (I know there are a lot of Smallville and Supernatural fans out there), but there isn't a single new series on this lineup that interests me in the least. The script for Gossip Girl was decent, if not my cup of tea, and I'll be seeing the pilot next week so I'll make my final decision then.

Final verdict: meh.

Network Scorecard: CBS

NBC and ABC have already announced their primetime lineups for next season to the advertisers, but the week is still young as CBS gets its shot today at wowing Madison Avenue with its new programs.

"We approached our development this year with a specific goal in mind--to be daring and different," said CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler. "The Fall and mid-season series we have selected offer creativity and variety with great potential to excite and surprise television audiences everywhere."

Rather than wait those few hours until CBS's official upfront presentation, here's a look at their official schedule now.

CBS Primetime Schedule for the 2007-08 Season:

MONDAY
8-8:30 pm: How I Met Your Mother
8:30-9 pm: The Big Bang Theory
9-9:30 pm: Two and a Half Men
9:30-10 pm: Rules of Engagement
10-11 pm: CSI: Miami

TUESDAY
8-9 pm: NCIS
9-10 pm: The Unit
10-11 pm: Cane

WEDNESDAY
8-9 pm: Kid Nation
9-10 pm: Criminal Minds
10-11 pm: CSI: NY

THURSDAY
8-9 pm: Survivor: China
9-10 pm: CSI
10-11 pm: Without a Trace

FRIDAY
8-9 pm: Ghost Whisperer
9-10 pm: Moonlight
10-11 pm: NUMB3RS

SATURDAY
8-10 pm: Crimetime Saturday
10-11 pm: 48 Hours Mystery

SUNDAY
7-8 pm: 60 Minutes
8-9 pm: Viva Laughlin
9-10 pm: Cold Case
10-11 pm: Shark

For those of you keeping track of such things, here's how the CBS schedule stacks up.

Returning Series:
How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, CSI: Miami, NCIS, The Unit, Criminal Minds, CSI: NY, Survivor, CSI, Without a Trace, Ghost Whisperer, NUMB3RS, 48 Hours Mystery, 60 Minutes, Cold Case, Shark

New Series:
The Big Bang Theory, Cane, Kid Nation, Moonlight, Viva Laughlin

New Timeslots for Returning Series:
Without a Trace, Shark

Midseason Launches/Returns:
Swingtown, Old Christine, The Amazing Race

Summer Launch:
Power of 10

Cancelled:
Jericho, The Class, Close to Home, The King of Queens

Reactions:
I'm more than a little miffed at CBS, considering that they took the only two reasons I watch the network and stuck them in midseason. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, Old Christine and The Amazing Race didn't rate spots on the fall schedule and will return at a later date. The same goes with one of the two pilots that had genuine merit this season: Swingtown, which will launch in the spring. (As much as I enjoyed watching the pilot, it does feel much more like a Showtime series than a CBS one.) Which leaves only Cane as the sole draw for me this fall. I haven't seen the completed pilot yet (but will in the next week or so) but it's the only thing I'd consider watching this fall on CBS.

In any event, let's turn our attention to the physical lineup. CBS has kept its Monday night comedy lineup more or less intact (sans Old Christine, unfortunately), brought back Rules of Engagement and slotted in new comedy Big Bang Theory in Old Christine's timeslot. We'll see if this new lineup holds water in a few months. Was Rules of Engagement really stronger than any of the other comedy pilots CBS shot this season? Curious.

I'm surprised that CBS would move Shark, one of its few breakout hits of the season, to a new night and time and break up the Sunday night combo of Cold Case and Without a Trace, but maybe CBS is trying to combat the Walker clan of Brothers & Sisters with... James Woods?

Friday seems to be gearing up as a sort of female-friendly supernatural night with Ghost Whisperer at 8 pm, followed by new drama Moonlight (formerly known as Twilight), about a vampire turned private detective (no, not Angel). But I'm not sure how NUMB3RS fits into that lineup.

In the end, I'm still steamed that Kid Nation got a slot but not Amazing Race. Excuse me while I go and shake my head for a while.

Network Scorecard: ABC

With the Peacock already announcing its fall schedule this week, next up is ABC, which readies to make its lineup announcements in a few hours' time. With renewals already issued for many of its series and eleven series orders (including late-in-the-game Miss/Guided) already out there, don't expect too many surprises from ABC.

"We're heading into the new season with a strong lineup of returning shows that we've developed and nurtured over the past few years," said ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson in a statement. "That solid foundation will help us launch an exciting development slate as we continue our forward momentum this fall. We're dedicated to working hard week after week to deliver the best stories and most memorable characters on TV."

But rather than wait those few hours until ABC's official upfront presentation, here's a look at their official schedule.

ABC Primetime Schedule for the 2007-08 Season:

MONDAY
8-9:30 pm: Dancing with the Stars
9:30-10 pm: Sam I Am
10-11 pm: The Bachelor

TUESDAY
8-8:30 pm: Cavemen
8:30-9 pm: Carpoolers
9-10 pm: Dancing with the Stars Results Show
10-11 pm: Boston Legal

WEDNESDAY
8-9 pm: Pushing Daisies
9-10 pm: Private Practice
10-11 pm: Dirty Sexy Money

THURSDAY
8-9 pm: Ugly Betty
9-10 pm: Grey’s Anatomy
10-11 pm: Big Shots

FRIDAY
8-9 pm: Men in Trees
9-10 pm: Women’s Murder Club
10-11 pm: 20/20

SATURDAY
8-11 pm: Saturday Night College Football

SUNDAY
7-8 pm: America’s Funniest Home Videos
8-9 pm: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9-10 pm: Desperate Housewives
10-11 pm: Brothers & Sisters

For those of you keeping track of such things, here's how the ABC schedule stacks up.

Returning Series:
Dancing with the Stars, The Bachelor, Boston Legal, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Men in Trees, 20/20, America's Funniest Home Videos, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, Jimmy Kimmel Live

New Series:
Sam I Am, Cavemen, Carpoolers, Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, Dirty Sexy Money, Big Shots, Women's Murder Club, Oprah's Big Give

New Timeslots for Returning Series:
Men in Trees

Midseason Launches/Returns:
Lost, Cashmere Mafia, Notes from the Underbelly, October Road, Miss/Guided, Wife Swap, Supernanny

Cancelled:
According to Jim, Big Day, Day Break, George Lopez, Great American Dream Vote, Help Me Help You, In Case of Emergency, Knights of Prosperity, The Nine, Show Me the Money, Six Degrees, What About Brian

Reactions:
Showing a bit of stability, ABC left much of its lineup intact, playing up its strengths (reality franchises on Monday, tentpole dramas on Thursday and Sunday), with a hearty sprinkling of new series throughout. Interesting that it's holding onto Darren Star-produced Cashmere Mafia until midseason, just like NBC is doing with their similarly themed (though far superior) femme drama Lipstick Jungle. Coincidence?

I was really hoping that The Middle would end up with a pickup, but--alas--it wasn't to be. Meanwhile, Miss/Guided will end up in midseason; I'm hoping they take the time to retool a bit. In the end, ABC opted not to renew either According to Jim or George Lopez but is now responsible for releasing the atrocious Cavemen onto an unsuspecting home audience. I'd rather have seen the classier Sam I Am paired with Carpoolers but at the same time, it makes sense to pair the female-driven comedy with similarly-skewing reality fare like Dancing with the Stars (still an hour and a half!) and The Bachelor.

ABC is taking a bit of a chance using Wednesday as a launch pad for three new dramas, but it should be anchored by Grey's spinoff Private Practice at 9 pm (just where will Lost go when it returns in February?). And I am overjoyed to see that Televisionary's favorite drama pilot this season (or really of the past few seasons, if I am being honest) didn't end up stuck on Friday nights, after all: Pushing Daisies will kick off Wednesday nights at 8 pm. Fingers crossed it connects with the rest of America as much as it did with me.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards (CBS; 8-11 pm); Dateline (NBC); Gilmore Girls (CW); Dancing with the Stars (ABC); American Idol (FOX)

9 pm: Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC); Veronica Mars (CW); Dancing with the Stars (ABC); House (FOX)

10 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC); Boston Legal (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching



8 pm: Gilmore Girls.

This is it: the Gilmore Girls are leaving Stars Hollow for good tonight. Despite my deep dislike of the show this season, I'll relent and catch their final moments. On tonight's series finale ("Bon Voyage"), Rory scores a gig as a political reporter, Luke throws Rory a graduation party, where she makes a speech thanking everyone for their help in her life, leading Lorelai and Luke to share an unexpected moment. Sigh. If only things had turned out differently for these (once) favorite girls of mine.

9 pm: Veronica Mars.

On tonight's episode of Veronica Mars ("I Know What You'll Do Next Summer"), Veronica passes her private investigator exam, but when Piz interviews a student who authored a book about his past as a child-soldier, Veronica is hired by a man who wants to prove he is the student's father. Oh, and Parker turns to Veronica for advice about Logan. Hmmm, not sure that's going to go over too well.

Network Scorecard: NBC

Network Upfronts start today with the Peacock getting the first go-around at the fall schedule announcements. There's still a few hours to go until NBC makes its announcement, but that wily Kevin Reilly has already officially publicized what the fall schedule will look like.

"Last year we promised a return to the NBC legacy of quality, and in terms of awards, buzz and critical acclaim, that's just what we delivered," said NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly in a statement. "We've got the class and next season we're ready to add some mass, with new shows that build on the creative accomplishments of last season and are as broad as they are good. Combine the energy of these new programs with the bulked-up strength of our existing NBC hits and you've got a lineup that's poised to take us to the next level."

Without further ado, a sneak peek at NBC's fall schedule:

NBC Primetime Schedule for the 2007-08 Season:

MONDAY
8-9 pm: Deal or No Deal
9-10 pm: Heroes
10-11 pm: Journeyman

TUESDAY
8-9 pm: The Biggest Loser
9-10 pm: Chuck
10-11 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

WEDNESDAY
8-9 pm: Deal or No Deal
9-10 pm: Bionic Woman
10-11 pm: Life

THURSDAY
8-8:30 pm: My Name Is Earl (25 episodes)
8:30-9 pm: 30 Rock
9-9:30 pm: The Office (30 episodes, including 5 hour-long installments)
9:30-10 pm: Scrubs
10-11 pm: ER

FRIDAY
8-9 pm: 1 vs 100/The Singing Bee
9-10 pm: Las Vegas
10-11 pm: Friday Night Lights

SATURDAY
8-9 pm: Dateline NBC
9-11 pm: Drama Series Encores

SUNDAY (Fall 2007)
7-8 pm: Football Night in America
8-11 pm: NBC Sunday Night Football

SUNDAY (January 2008)
7-8 pm: Dateline NBC
8-9 pm: Law & Order
9-10 pm: Medium
10-11 pm: Lipstick Jungle

For those of you keeping track of such things, here's how the NBC schedule stacks up.

Returning Series:
Deal or No Deal, Heroes, Biggest Loser, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, My Name is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock, Scrubs, ER, 1 vs. 100, Las Vegas, Friday Night Lights, Dateline,

New Series:
Journeyman, Chuck, Bionic Woman, Life, The Singing Bee,

New Timeslots for Returning Series:
The Office (moving to Thursdays at 9 pm), 30 Rock (moving to Thursdays at 8:30 pm), Friday Night Lights (moving to, er, Friday nights at 10 pm).

Midseason Launches/Returns:
Law & Order, Medium, Lipstick Jungle, The IT Crowd, World Moves, Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Reactions:
Again, NBC hasn't so much overhauled its schedule as it has shifted things around a bit, sticking to its game plan of less expensive reality fare most evenings (save its Comedy Done Right lineup on Thursdays). Hopefully, there will be less expectations in terms of ratings for Friday Night Lights on Fridays, thus keeping the series around for a bit longer. I'm surprised by the decision to launch Journeyman on the back of Heroes rather than Bionic Woman, but I'm hoping that means that the network has enough faith in the Kevin McKidd-led drama to test it in some prime real estate (and let's be honest, trashy fare like The Real Wedding Crashers wasn't working there). I'm not sure that Chuck and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an inspired combination, while Bionic Woman and Life on Wednesdays might just be the thing to make me forget that Lost doesn't return until February 2008.

And 30 episodes of The Office? Sounds like a good thing IF the network programmers allow the show's producers to properly schedule and prepare for those five one-hour installments way in advance, before the scripts are written and production begins.