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Unto the breach: NBC debut 'L&O: CI'
By Diego Vasquez
Jan 9, 2008 - 1:00:07 AM
The coming weeks will see a load of cable shows being repurposed for broadcast, as the networks grasp for original scripted programming while the writers’ strike knocks out hit dramas like “Grey’s Anatomy,” which goes on hiatus next week, and “CSI,” which will soon follow.
Tonight, NBC becomes the first to premiere such a show when it begins airing reruns of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” which had been airing on USA, at 9 p.m.
NBC Universal, which owns both networks, began debuting original episodes of the show on USA last fall, and the plan was that NBC would then pick up reruns sometime later in 2008.
Later became a lot sooner when the writers’ strike stretched into December. NBC decided to air “Intent” reruns at 9 p.m. as the lead-in to the original “Law & Order” at 10 p.m. That show debuted last week.
The result could be a fairly decent two-hour block for NBC.
“L&O” had its best numbers in a year and a half in last week’s two-hour premiere, averaging a 3.8 in adults 18-49 and 13.5 million total viewers. It should be able to hold a number of those viewers.
Tonight at 9 an original “Criminal Minds” could woo away crime enthusiasts, but that show will soon be in repeats.
Next week, “L&O” will go up against Fox's returning "American Idol,” but even then it could do better than younger-skewing shows, since it appeals to a different audience than watches the hit talent show.
“Intent” drew strong ratings on USA, often finishing in the top 25 for the week among households and consistently winning its 10 p.m. Thursday cable timeslot among 18-49s and 25-54s.
More cable shows will begin appearing on broadcast in the coming months as well.
NBC has USA’s “Monk” and “Psych” slotted for March, while CBS said Monday that Showtime’s “Dexter,” albeit a tamer version, will start airing in February. That could be followed by repurposed episodes of the Showtime comedy “Weeds” as well.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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NBC
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“Today” (N)
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Media Life favorite Martha Stewart guests.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Deal or No Deal” (G)
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The Banker asks a Hawaiian contestant to shave his goatee.
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9 p.m.
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CW
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“Gossip Girl” (D)
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The web site reports Serena bought a pregnancy test before checking all the facts.
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9 p.m.
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ESPN
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“NBA Basketball” (S)
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Great midseason matchup between Detroit and Dallas.
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10 p.m.
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ABC
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“Cashmere Mafia” (D)
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Mia has to fire her mentor after she becomes publisher.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“CSI: NY” (D)
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A hotel owner is found dead near an ice sculpture.
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10 p.m.
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Bravo
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“Project Runway” (R)
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The remaining designers make prom dresses.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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CBS
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“The Early Show” (N)
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Chef and Food Network personality Bobby Flay guests.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“My Name is Earl” (C)
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Karma isn’t holding up its end of the bargain, so Earl goes back to his old self in this rerun.
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8 p.m.
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ABC
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“Ugly Betty” (D)
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Betty wants Daniel to change the image of the models with Justin and classmates set to visit.
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8:30 p.m.
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NBC
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“30 Rock” (C)
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Kenneth becomes addicted to caffeinated coffee. Join the club.
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9 p.m.
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CBS
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“CSI” (D)
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The crew looks into two murders at the same rodeo.
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9 p.m.
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ABC
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“Grey’s Anatomy” (D)
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Derek kissed Rose, and now he has to deal with the fallout.
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10 p.m.
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VH1
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“Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” (R)
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Series premiere. Could be interesting, but would have been better with Britney and/or Lindsay.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 11
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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ABC
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“Good Morning America” (N)
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Emeril cooks it up and the cast from Broadway’s “The Little Mermaid” performs.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“Ghost Whisperer” (D)
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Melinda looks into possible hauntings at Ned’s new school.
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9 p.m.
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NBC
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“Friday Night Lights” (D)
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The team prepares for its biggest game of the season while Smash has trouble picking a college.
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9 p.m.
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USA
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“Monk” (D)
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Monk accidentally becomes influenced by the leader of a cult.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“Numb3rs” (D)
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Charlie looks for an investigative journalist who goes missing.
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10 p.m.
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NBC
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“Las Vegas” (D)
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A mobster ends up at the casino, with federal agents and bounty hunters right behind.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 12
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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4:30 p.m.
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Fox
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“NFL Football” (S)
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NFC Divisional playoff game.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“Cops” (R)
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Cops in California arrest a man who’s concealing a sawed-off shotgun.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“NFL Football” (S)
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AFC Divisional playoff game.
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8 p.m.
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ABC
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“Pearl Harbor” (M)
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The hit 2001 movie, more than a month after Pearl Harbor Day.
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10 p.m.
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MSNBC
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“The Mind of Manson” (N)
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An FBI analysis of a 1987 “Today” interview with Charles Manson.
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10 p.m.
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TV Guide Channel
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“Golden Globe Preview” (N)
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Joey Fatone breaks down this year’s awards ceremony.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 13
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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1 p.m.
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CBS
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“NFL Football” (S)
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AFC Divisional playoff game.
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4:30 p.m.
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Fox
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“NFL Football” (S)
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NFC Divisional playoff game.
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4:30 p.m.
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CBS
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“College Basketball” (S)
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Indiana hosts Illinois in a Big Ten contest.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Golden Globe Awards” (A)
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The 65th annual event, live from Beverly Hills, so long as the writers’ guild doesn’t get it nixed.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” (D)
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Series premiere. Just like the movies, a woman and her son are on the run from futuristic cyborgs. But no Arnold.
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9 p.m.
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CBS
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“Comanche Moon” (D)
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First two hours of a six-hour miniseries that’s a prequel to “Lonesome Dove,” starring Val Kilmer, Rachel Griffiths and others.
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10:30 p.m.
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HBO
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“The Wire” (D)
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The police force cuts its budget, and Snoop and Chris take advantage.
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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.
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© 2008 Media Life
