CBS 2007-2008 Season Schedule

Day 3 of the networks upfronts brings us CBS’ announcement of their 2007-2008 season schedule.

Being the number one rated network has its advantages. CBS cancelled very few of its programs from this past season. Cancelled was the freshman sitcom The Class, sophomore drama Close to Home, and long running comedy the King of Queens.

And CBS announced yesterday that it has cancelled freshman drama Jericho. This is one that upsets me the most. Jericho was smartly written, well acted, and very unique. CBS made some mistakes with it. It had two long hiatuses during the season. While such a tactic works for programs that have episodes that stand alone, serialized programs need to be treated differently. Particularly those programs that are in their first season need to avoid such a tactic. By taking too much time off a new program will struggle to keep its audience. If the episodes had run nearly sequentially I believe it would have fared much better.

CBS is premiering five new series in the fall, and has announced one drama for midseason. In addition, proven reality show The Amazing Race and sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine will return midseason. Here’s a night-by-night look at what the CBS schedule for next season has in store. Included are brief descriptions, partially taken from tvguide.com. All times listed are Eastern.

Mondays:

8pm-8:30pm How I Met Your Mother

8:30pm-9pm The Big Bang Theory

This sitcom focuses on Leonard and Sheldon, who are genius in quantum physics but are socially inept. They don’t fully understand romantic relationships, until their new neighbor Penny moves in. Leonard, Sheldon, and their group of friends begin to learn more about interpersonal relationships thanks to help from Penny.

9pm-9:30pm Two and a Half Men

9:30pm-10pm Rules of Engagement

10pm-11pm CSI: Miami

Tuesdays:

8pm-9pm NCIS

9pm-10pm The Unit

10pm-11pm Cane

This drama stars Jimmy Smits (NYPD Blue) about a Cuban-American family running a successful rum and sugar business in South Florida. The family patriarch must decide whether to keep the family business as is or if he should sell the sugar business and focus on the rum side. By selling he will please his son; by not selling he will be siding with his adoptive son. Also starring Nestor Carbonell (Lost) and Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope).

Wednesdays:

8pm-9pm Kid Nation

In this reality program 40 kids between the ages of 8 and 15 will work together, without their parents, to rebuild a ghost town in Bonanza City, New Mexico. Their ultimate goal is to build a town that works. They will have 40 days in which they will cook their own meals, run their own businesses, and run the city government. Four city leaders will set all laws and bedtimes. At the end of every episode all kids will get together in a town hall meeting to discuss and debate the issues facing them. No one is eliminated, but if a child chooses to leave they only need to raise their hand during the town meeting and ask to go.

9pm-10pm Criminal Minds

10pm-11pm CSI: NY

Thursdays:

8pm-9pm Survivor

9pm-10pm CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

10pm-11pm Without a Trace

Fridays:

8pm-9pm Ghost Whisperer

9pm-10pm Moonlight

In this supernatural drama, Mick St. John is a vampire that uses his powers to help the living. Mick was sired 60 years ago by his bride, Coraline. He now feels obligated to help the defenseless from Coraline and other vampires who simply view humans as a source of food and nourishment. In the midst of this of these struggles Mick falls for Beth Turner, a reporter covering the unusual murders caused by the vampires. From the producer of The Matrix.

10pm-11pm Numb3rs

Saturdays:

8pm-9pm Crimetime Saturday

9pm-10pm Crimetime Saturday

10pm-11pm 48 Hours Mystery

Sundays:

7pm-8pm 60 Minutes

8pm-9pm Viva Laughlin

This drama comes from executive producer Hugh Jackman (X-Men) and is based on the BBC hit Blackpool. Ripley Holden’s ultimate goal is to open a casino in Laughlin, Nevada. In this series contemporary songs are used to accentuate the drama and advance the story.

9pm-10pm Cold Case

10pm-11pm Shark

Other series coming mid-season:

Swingtown

This drama is set in the 1970s at the peak of the sexual revolution. Susan and Bruce Miller move to an affluence neighborhood, and meet new friends Tom and Trina Decker. As the Millers get to know the Deckers, they begin to realize that a platonic relationship isn’t all they are looking for. The Miller’s best friends from their previous neighborhood, Janet and Roger Thompson, appear to disapprove of the Miller’s new friends. Janet is appalled, and while Roger supports his wife he is intrigued and tempted by the sexual possibilities that are out there.