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In 'Bones,' Fox
finds a utility infielder


The forensic copper returns in yet another timeslot

Sep 3, 2008

On a network with “American Idol” and “House,” “Bones” is hardly Fox’s MVP. But it may be the network’s MVPF – most valuable place filler.

Despite bouncing around the schedule for the past few years, “Bones” has delivered very consistent, if rarely spectacular, ratings. The show returns for a fourth season tonight at 8 p.m. with a special two-hour premiere.

In it the “Bones” crew travels to London, where crime-solving duo Brennan and Booth meet their rather comical British counterparts while investigating a murder.
 
The premiere is part of a week-long series of two-hour bows on Fox, designed to get some of its second-tier shows sampling before the other networks return their regular schedules later this month. “Prison Break” had a two-hour premiere Monday and “Kitchen Nightmares” follows tomorrow.

“Bones” returns to Wednesdays this fall after moving to Mondays last spring following the writers’ strike. The show has also aired on Tuesdays in the past and is slated to move to Fridays later this season, though the network will likely patch the show in wherever it’s needed.

“Bones” averaged a 2.9 adults 18-49 Nielsen rating last year, down 7 percent from a 3.1 the year before. That decline was much smaller than the double-digit percentage drops suffered by top dramas like CBS’s “CSI: Miami,” ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and NBC’s “Heroes.”

 

 

A look at this week’s top TV draws

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

NBC

“Today” (N)

Among other things, an interview with Dr. Phil.

7 p.m.

ESPN

“Major League Baseball” (S)

The fading Yankees take on the Rays.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Bones” (D)

Season premiere. The crew gets caught up in a murder investigation in London.

8 p.m.

CW

“America’s Next Top Model” (R)

Season premiere. This year’s crop includes a transgender model.

10 p.m.

ABC, CBS, NBC, cable news networks

“Republican National Convention” (N)

Cindy McCain and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin are scheduled to speak, but again it depends on the hurricanes.

10 p.m.

Bravo

“Top Design” (R)

Season premiere. Thirteen wannabe designers deal with annoying clients.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

ABC

“Good Morning America” (N)

Rachael Ray is among the guests.

7 p.m.

NBC

“NFL Football” (S)

The Redskins take on the Giants to kick off the NFL season.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Kitchen Nightmares” (R)

Season premiere. Ramsay’s other show should have a decent season, but could struggle tonight against football.

8:30 p.m. p.m.

ESPN

“College Football” (S)

South Carolina takes on Vanderbilt in an SEC matchup.

10 p.m.

ABC, CBS, NBC, cable news networks

“Republican National Convention” (N)

Sen. John McCain accepts the Republican nomination for president.

10 p.m.

Showtime

“Russell Peters: Red, White and Brown” (C)

The comedian delivers a standup performance.

10 p.m.

MTV

“Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew” (R)

A dance-off special.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Time

Network

Program

Description

7:30 p.m.

ESPN Classic

“Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony” (S)

Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon are among the inductees.

8 p.m.

CBS, NBC, ABC

“Stand Up to Cancer” (A)

A cross-network fundraiser featuring a host of celebrities.

9 p.m.

NBC

“NFL Opening Kickoff 2008” (A)

Musical performers include Keith Urban and Usher.

9 p.m.

USA

“Monk” (D)

Monk solves his 100th murder case.

10 p.m.

CBS

“Swingtown” (D)

Season finale. Tom and Trina host a clambake and key party.

10 p.m.

ESPN

“Major League Baseball” (S)

A big NL West game between the Diamondbacks and Dodgers.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Time

Network

Program

Description

3:30 p.m.

NBC

“College Football” (S)

San Diego State takes on Notre Dame for the first time in its history.

3:30 p.m.

Fox

“Major League Baseball” (S)

Today we have Twins-Tigers, Mets-Phillies or Dodgers-Diamondbacks.

7:30 p.m.

ABC

“NASCAR Racing” (S)

The Chevy Rock & Roll 500 in Richmond.

8 p.m.

CBS

“Tennis” (S)

The women’s final at the U.S. Open.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Cops” (R)

Season premiere. Cops in Broward County, Fla., open the 21st season.

8 p.m.

ESPN

“College Football” (S)

Miami takes on Florida in Gainesville.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Time

Network

Program

Description

4 p.m.

CBS

“Tennis” (S)

The U.S. Open men’s final.

8 p.m.

CBS

“Big Brother” (R)

Nominations for next week’s eviction are revealed.

8:15 p.m.

NBC

“Sunday Night Football” (S)

The Bears and Colts in the season opener for both.

9 p.m.

ABC

“America United: In Support of Our Troops” (A)

A range of performers pay tribute to American soldiers.

9 p.m.

History

“Ice Road Truckers” (R)

Season finale. High and Eric challenge each other in a personal race.

9 p.m.

MTV

“MTV Video Music Awards” (A)

Russell Brand hosts the 25th annual event.

10 p.m.

AMC

“Mad Men” (D)

Don buys a car to reflect his executive status.

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.

 



Diego Vasquez is a staff writer for Media Life.




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