Upfronts Week - CBS


It's Upfronts Week! Each May, as one broadcast season ends, the major networks — NBC, FOX, ABC, CBS, and The CW — present their new fall schedules to the world. This includes changed time slots, new series, and what's been cancelled. Each day this week I'll be taking a look at the new schedules as they're released.

CBS
Best Scheduling Move: In the past, CBS has scored with a solid comedy block on Monday nights. Last season, CBS dumped its Monday comedy block in favor of a trio of dramas. It didn't quite work how they planned, so now the Monday night comedy block is back! That gives CBS two nights of comedy, something the network has had some relative success with. They're also kicking off that Monday block with some familiar faces, Kevin James and Matt LeBlanc. That can't hurt.

Most Curious Scheduling Decision: CBS is the No.1 network for total viewers, and has been for some time. They don't make a lot of mistakes. That being said, I thought it was curious that they bumped "The Amazing Race" of Fridays in the fall in favor of launching a new scripted series. Fridays at 8 p.m. are not a hot time for shows in general, much less new shows. It will be interesting to see if they have any better luck there this year.

Most Promising New Show for Fall: CBS is launching six new series in the fall, three dramas and three comedies. None of them really gets me that excited. However, if pressed to make a pick, I'm going with "Bull." The series stars Michael Weatherly and is loosely based on the life of Dr. Phil. I know what you're thinking, but it's based on the part of his life where he plied his skills as a jury consultant. The clips looked interesting and it could be the kind of series that ends up being compelling.

Least Promising New Show for Fall: One word, "MacGyver." The series was a modest hit a few decades ago and has been kept alive in re-runs and through a "Saturday Night Live" parody that became a full blown movie. It never really took itself too seriously, and that's what helped make it work. Yet, now CBS is bringing it back, giving it a glossy sheen, taking it seriously, and hoping audiences will lap it up at 8 p.m. on Fridays. Not likely.

CBS Schedule
Mondays:
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory/Kevin Can Wait (NEW)
8:30 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait (NEW)/ Man With A Plan (NEW)
9 p.m. - Two Broke Girls
9:30 p.m. - The Odd Couple
10 p.m. - Scorpion

Tuesdays:
8 p.m. - NCIS
9 p.m. - Bull (NEW)
10 p.m. - NCIS: New Orleans

Wednesdays:
8 p.m. - Survivor
9 p.m. - Criminal Minds
10 p.m. - Code Black

Thursdays: (Beginning October 27)
8 p.m. - Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - The Great Indoors (NEW)
9 p.m. - Mom
9:30 p.m. - Life in Pieces
10 p.m. - Pure Genius (NEW)

Fridays:
8 p.m. - MacGyver (NEW)
9 p.m. - Hawaii 5-0
10 p.m. - Blue Bloods

Sundays:
7 p.m. - 60 Minutes
8 p.m. - NCIS: LA
9 p.m. - Madam Secretary
10 p.m. - Elementary

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