Ramblings' Journal

CBS: Eye on battle Wed. at 10

First place network CBS released it's fall schedule this morning in New York, with designs on setting up a battle for NBC's coveted Law & Order audience Wednesdays at 10. CSI: NY will go head to head in what promises to be a real battle.

L&O lead detective Jerry Orbach is leaving on tonight's episode (with plans to most likely come back to the L&O fold in the new Law & Order: Trial by Jury, set to premiere this winter), with new lead Dennis Farina set to replace him on the franchise mothership.

The Tiffany network figures they've got a shot at dethroning the longevity champ by placing its' own new francise player CSI: NY in the slot. CSI: NY stars Gary Sinise & Melina Kanakaredes in a slightly different take on the CSI formula, focusing on the two leads more than the other two franchise series' (CSI & CSI: Miami) do.

Reality powehouse Survivor remains on Thursday, with CBS' other "big" reality piece, The Amazing Race taking over Saturdays from the now-cancelled The District. CBS will round out Saturday with reruns of the CSI franchise & Cold Case (ironically, NBC is using a similar strategy with L&O franchise shows on Saturdays).

CBS TELEVISION NETWORK 2004-2005 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
(N=New; NT=New Time; all times ET/PT)

MONDAY
8:00-8.30 PM STILL STANDING (NT)
8:30-9:00 PM LISTEN UP (N)
9:00-9:30 PM EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND
9:30-10.00 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN
10:00-11:00PM CSI: MIAMI

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM CLUBHOUSE (N)
10:00-11:00 PM JUDGING AMY

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM 60 MINUTES II
9:00-9:30 PM THE KING OF QUEENS
9:30-10:00 PM CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE (N)
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: NY (N)

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR: VANUATU
9:00-10:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
10:00-11:00 PM WITHOUT A TRACE

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM JOAN OF ARCADIA
9:00-10:00 PM JAG
10:00-11:00 PM dr. vegas (N)

SATURDAY
8:00-9:00 PM 48 HOURS MYSTERIES
9:00-10:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE (NT)
10:00-11:00PM CRIME TIME SATURDAY

SUNDAY
7:00- 8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00- 9:00 PM COLD CASE
9:00-11:00 PM CBS SUNDAY MOVIE

Rob Lowe, who bowed out early last season in NBC's failed law series The Lyon's Den, tries his hand as a doctor in Dr. Vegas. I'm guessing Lowe's on the early out list again -- at least at first glance.

Everybody Loves Raymond will have a shortented season as it's swan song; that seems to be the norm any more; The Parkers took that route this past season, and NYPD Blue looks to do the same this year.

Posted by mhking at May 19, 2004 12:58 PM