2017’s Upfront is right around the corner. Network executives have been trying to narrow down which pilots to pick up to series, which past season’s show to cancel/renew, and how to schedule it all.
I’ve taken a look at the renew/cancel chances of this season’s shows, the pilots in contention to be next season’s new shows, and how I would program ABC’s schedule. On to CBS.
CBS has been its typical steady self. Not deviating far from its multi-cam, laugh-track comedies nor its procedural dramas has done well for the network as other networks flounder with gambits that crashed and burned (notably, the one show that deviated from their playbook, Doubt was the one that crashed and was pulled from the schedule after a a mere two episodes).
So what to do, continue with their crime procedural/laugh-track comedy playbook to diminishing returns each year as streaming/cable channels launch buzzier shows? Adjust their programming for the possibility of luring more of the 18-49 demo at the risk of alienating their core audience and have another Doubt-level failure? It’s certainly a tough needle to thread but here’s one potential schedule.
Sunday
Current Schedule: 60 Minutes/NCIS: Los Angeles/Madam Secretary/Elementary
The first two hours are steady eddy, keep them. The David Boreanaz-starring Navy SEALs drama is a good fit with NCIS, push Madam Secretary to end the night.
Current Schedule: Kevin Can Wait/Man with a Plan/Superior Doughnuts/2 Broke Girls/Scorpion
Assuming CBS gets the initially batch of Thursday Night Football games again, CBS doesn’t want to lose any more weeks without Big Bang Theory on the air. Start the season with Big Bang Theory leading out to new show 9J, 9K, and 9L, followed by Kevin Can Wait, Man with a Plan, and ending the night with solid 10/9 o’clock anchor Scorpion
Once CBS’s Thursday Night Football games end and TBBT relocates to Thursday, move the 9/8 o’clock block to 8/7, push 9J, 9K, 9L a half hour later followed by 2 Broke Girls.
Tuesday
Current Schedule: NCIS/Bull/NCIS: New Orleans
All three shows have eroded from last season and throughout this season. Still, CBS has wobblier days to reassess first.
Wednesday
Current Schedule: Survivor/Criminal Minds/Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
CBS has had trouble finding a show to launch in the 10/9 hour, renewing low-rated shows like Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders and Code Black as they low, but as least consistent, CBS figured consistency counts for something in this day and age. Either/both of those shows could very well come back next season as filler.
There’s an interesting prospect for a show with potential to be more than just good enough: S.W.A.T.. Executive Produced by Shawn Ryan with a first episode directed by Justin Lin (Fast & Furious 4-6, Star Trek Beyond; first episode of Scorpion) and starring Shemar Moore, this project seems well-tailored towards CBS’s playbook. Launching it after the show Moore starred in for so long mimics the success CBS had this year with Bull. CBS may even get aggressive and launch in in the 9/8 hour and push a slightly fading Criminal Minds to the 10/9 hour, though that’s a move better made next season to gauge the reception of S.W.A.T. first.
Thursday
Current Schedule: The Big Bang Theory/The Big Bang Theory repeat/Mom/Life in Pieces/The Amazing Race
The search for a Big Bang Theory lead-out continues. With a single-camera Big Bang Theory prequel already ordered to series, CBS may have killed two birds with one stone: finding a suitable stablemate for Big Bang Theory and launching a successful single-camera as younger demographics are avoid laugh-track comedies (along with Life in Pieces). Mom performs admirably and Life in Pieces chugs along so those stay put after The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon kicks off the night.
How to end the night is another question. The Thursday 10/9 hour is littered with casualties after Elementary vacated the spot: Training Day; Pure Genius; Rush Hour. The Amazing Race has been performing okay-not-great in the position in Spring, it’s tempting to put it there again, though there are rumors CBS wants to move to one cycle of TAR per season. If that’s the case, something like Instinct could work, it helps that it stars two actors who are familiar faces to CBS viewers: Alan Cumming (The Good Wife) and Khandi Alexander (CSI: Miami). But barring a break-out hit, the Thursday 10/9 hour has the stench of doom on it for seasons to come.
Friday
Current Schedule: MacGyver/Hawaii Five-0/Blue Bloods
One of CBS’s steadiest nights, keep it be.
2017-18 CBS television schedule
new shows in italics
Sunday: 60 Minutes/NCIS: Los Angeles/Untitled Navy SEALs/Madam Secretary
Monday: The Big Bang Theory/9J, 9K, 9L/Kevin Can Wait/Man with a Plan/Scorpion
(After football: Kevin Can Wait/Man with a Plan/9J, 9K, 9L/2 Broke Girls/Scorpion)
Tuesday: NCIS/Bull/NCIS: New Orleans
Wednesday: Survivor/Criminal Minds/S.W.A.T.
Thursday: Thursday Night Football
(After football: The Big Bang Theory/Young Sheldon/Mom/Life in Pieces/Instinct)
Friday: MacGyver/Hawaii Five-0/Blue Bloods
AVthatsme 