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How NBC might
rejigger its primetime
But don't expect a mega-makeover of its schedule
By Toni Fitzgerald
It would seem that NBC needs
a major overhaul of its schedule after a season in which it has
fallen from first to fourth among adults 18-49 and will finish more
than 15 percent down from last year.
But as the network gets set for its upfront
presentation Monday, it’s possible that it will be replacing as
little as three and a half hours of programming. At least three new dramas and
one comedy are sure to make the schedule.
The network needs just one or two of them to hit big
like "Desperate Housewives" in order to reascend to the
top of primetime.
What follows is a look at NBC'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.
NBC’s schedule remains strong at 10 p.m. every night,
and shows like “West Wing,” “The Apprentice,” “Fear Factor”
and “Will & Grace,” while nowhere as strong as they once
were, will be back between 8 and 9.
Tuesday needs the most help. It could get up to 90
minutes of new or shifted programming, while Sunday, Wednesday and
perhaps Friday will each get an hour. Thursday may remain intact or
get a new sitcom at 8:30 if “Will” gets pushed to Tuesday, as
many anticipate. Monday is the only night that definitely won’t get some sort
of tweak.
NBC may rise to three hours of sitcoms after only two hours
this season, or six shows versus four. “Joey,” “Will” and
“Scrubs,” which have all been renewed, will take three of those spots.
“Will” may move to Tuesdays at 9, followed by “Scrubs.”
If NBC goes with comedies at 8, the latest rumors has “My Name is Earl,” about a lottery winner,
joining the schedule. Other possibilities are “Thick
& Thin,” about a woman who loses 300 pounds, and “Four
Kings,” following four longtime friends.
Tuesday’s “Committed” is also gone. The fate of
“The Office” is a bit less clear. Though it flopped on Tuesdays,
and its finale numbers were especially poor, it showed potential in
its Thursday premiere.
NBC may keep it as a midseason replacement. The network
probably will take advantage of this winter’s Olympics to make a
major midseason push after the Games.
“Fear Factor,” “Las Vegas” and “Medium”
will return on Monday. On Tuesday “Law & Order: SVU” will
remain at 10. Or NBC may move
Sunday’s “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” to Tuesdays at 9
after an hour of sitcoms in anticipation of rearranging its schedule
in 2006 for “Sunday Night Football.”
Wednesday’s 9 p.m. “West Wing” and 10 p.m. “Law
& Order” will remain. “The Biggest Loser 2” takes over the
8 p.m. slot this summer, and could run into the fall if it does
well. That means NBC won’t have to decide on a “Wing” lead-in
for a while yet. The network hasn’t had a strong show there in
years.
The supernatural sea drama “Fathom” will probably
make the schedule, either on Wednesdays at 8, Fridays at 9, or
Sunday at 8 or 9. If “Fathom” doesn’t take the Wednesday slot,
another possibility is the Pentagon drama “The e-Ring.” Both
will reportedly make the schedule.
It seems unlikely that “Revelations,” NBC’s
limited-run series currently airing at 9, will return after a major ratings
falloff following a strong premiere. But “Book of Daniel,”
another religious-centered drama, may get a tryout.
Thursday’s only big change should be a new
sitcom at 8:30, after “Joey.” Martha Stewart’s “Apprentice”
spinoff will likely take the 9 p.m. slot. Though Stewart and
original star Donald Trump could both have a version of the show
this fall, NBC probably realizes that “Apprentice” burnout has
set in, and it would be wise to give Trump a break.
On Friday, “Dateline” should stay at 8 p.m. and “Law
& Order: Trial by Jury” at 10. Rookie “Medical Investigation”
may return at 9 after a so-so season at 10.
Saturdays will remain “Law & Order” rerun
nights.
On Sunday, “Dateline” will stay at 7. A new drama
will replace “American Dreams” and “The Contender” at 8,
possibly “Fathom” or “e-Ring.” If “Criminal Intent”
moves, which isn’t that likely, a new drama could replace it as
well. “Crossing Jordan” will return at 10.
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May 12, 2005
©
2005
Media Life
- Toni
Fitzgerald is a staff writer for Media Life.
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