For 'Shark,' that great sinking feeling

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TV This Week
For 'Shark,' that great sinking feeling
By Diego Vasquez
May 6, 2008 - 12:57:59 AM

With the broadcast networks introducing their new schedules next week, there’s been a flurry of speculation over the fate of the so-called bubble shows, and a larger than usual number air on CBS, which usually has the most staid schedule of any network.

There are a trio of CBS dramas still iffy for next season, and the most endangered may be “Shark,” the second-year legal show starring James Woods. CBS moved the program to Tuesdays at 9 p.m. last week, and if ratings for its first outing are any indicator, a third season may not be on the horizon.

“Shark,” about a hotshot defense attorney-turned-prosecutor played by Woods, averaged a mere 2.2 adults 18-49 rating, off 12 percent from its average in its original timeslot, Sundays at 10 p.m. In fact, it actually performed worse than “Big Brother,” the former Tuesday 9 p.m. occupant, which had one of its lowest-rated seasons ever.

The network’s other two bubble dramas are “Moonlight,” which consistently wins its 9 p.m. Friday slot, and “The Unit,” which performed better in the 9 p.m. Tuesday slot last fall. A fourth drama, “Cane,” which aired Tuesdays at 10 last fall, is considered a goner.

“Moonlight” probably has the best chance of the three for returning since it’s the only timeslot winner among them. Also working against “Shark” are rumors, posted on various web messageboards, that Woods has not had a smooth relationship with CBS.

On tonight’s episode, Sebastian (Woods) heads to Las Vegas for a gambling jag after being disbarred in California, but instead he winds up involved in a murder trial.

A look at this week’s top TV draws
TUESDAY, MAY 6
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	ABC	“Good Morning America” (N)	Singer Josh Groban guests and performs.
8 p.m.	Fox	“American Idol” (R)	The final four show their stuff.
8 p.m.	ABC	“Dancing with the Stars” (R)	The judges countdown their all-time top 10, followed by this week’s results show.
9 p.m.	Fox	“Hell’s Kitchen” (R)	The chefs try to impress a teen who comes to the restaurant on her birthday.
10 p.m.	NBC	“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (D)	A pregnant woman is found raped and killed in a burning house.
10 p.m.	BET	“College Hill” (R)	The group hopes house tension won’t affect their trip to London.
10 p.m.	MTV	“Shot at Love with Tila Tequila” (R)	Tila has another “bi”-athlon.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	CBS	“The Early Show” (N)	CBS Sports personality Jim Nantz discusses his new book.
7 p.m.	ESPN	“Major League Baseball” (S)	The Indians take on the Yankees in New York.
8 p.m.	CW	“America’s Next Top Model” (R)	The remaining four impersonate Hollywood stars during a photo shoot.
9 p.m.	Fox	“American Idol” (R)	There will only be three remaining after tonight.
9 p.m.	CBS	“Criminal Minds” (D)	The team tries to hunt down a stalker who crosses state lines.
10 p.m.	ABC	“Audition: Barbara Walters’ Journey” (N)	Walters discusses her career and, of course, pushes her new book after doling out a few juicy tidbits on “Oprah” yesterday.
10 p.m.	MTV	“The Real World” (R)	The roommates organize an intervention for Joey.
THURSDAY, MAY 8
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	ABC	“Good Morning America” (N)	New York Yankees stars Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez both guest.
8 p.m.	CW	“Smallville” (D)	A stranger attacks Lex, but it’s really a message to Clark.
9 p.m.	NBC	“The Office” (C)	Jim tries to secure a deal while golfing, except he has Andy and Kevin with him.
9 p.m.	CBS	“CSI” (D)	Katey Sagal guests a TV sitcom star who’s murdered.
9 p.m.	ABC	“Grey’s Anatomy” (D)	Seattle Grace enacts a date-and-tell policy.
10 p.m.	NBC	“ER” (D)	Morris sees a therapist after he’s robbed.
10 p.m.	ABC	“Lost” (D)	Locke finds out the location of Jacob’s cabin.
FRIDAY, MAY 9
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	NBC	“Today” (N)	Actor Henry Winkler guests and Mary J. Blige performs.
8 p.m.	CBS	“Ghost Whisperer” (D)	Melinda looks back a murder that took place in 1979.
8 p.m.	ESPN	“NBA Basketball” (S)	A conference semifinal playoff game, teams still to be decided.
9 p.m.	CBS	“Moonlight” (D)	The grandson of one of Mick’s friends from WWII is kidnapped.
9 p.m.	Sci Fi Channel	“Doctor Who”	The doc learns some not-so-nice things about the human race.
10 p.m.	CBS	“Numb3rs” (D)	Our heroes look into the drive-by murder of a rap star.
SATURDAY, MAY 10
Time	Network	Program	Description
2 p.m.	NBC	“PGA Golf” (S)	Third-round coverage of the so-called “fifth major,” The Players Championship.
3:30 p.m.	Fox	“Major League Baseball” (S)	Yankees-Tigers, Cards-Brewers or Diamondbacks-Cubs.
7 p.m.	Fox	“NASCAR Racing” (S)	The Dodge Challenger 500 from Darlington, S.C.
8:15 p.m.	ABC	“NBA Basketball” (S)	The playoffs come to broadcast primetime, teams still to be determined.
9 p.m.	Sci Fi Channel	“Aztec Rex” (M)	Spain’s Cortes finds an Aztec tribe that offers human sacrifices to a T-Rex.
11:30 p.m.	NBC	“Saturday Night Live” (C)	Shia LeBeouf hosts, My Morning Jacket performs.
SUNDAY, MAY 11
Time	Network	Program	Description
2 p.m.	NBC	“PGA Golf” (S)	Final round of The Players Championship, won last year by Phil Mickelson.
3:30 p.m.	ABC	“NBA Basketball” (S)	More conference semifinal playoff action.
8 p.m.	CBS	“Survivor” (R)	Season finale. Two-hour finale followed by the hour-long reunion show.
8 p.m.	Fox	“The Simpsons” (C)	Homer’s mother dies before he can forgive her for abandoning him.
9 p.m.	ABC	“Desperate Housewives” (D)	Carlos and Gaby find out a secret about their new tenant.
9 p.m.	Showtime	“The Tudors” (D)	The Catholic Church loses power during Reformation.
10 p.m.	ABC	“Brothers & Sisters” (D)	Season finale. Kevin and Scotty move their relationship forward.
A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.