Monday, May 18, 2009

Two More PTR Faves Get Pick-Ups; Fox Announces Schedule


Today is another glorious day in the TV Upfront world because both Cold Case and Chuck, yet two other "bubble shows," have both been picked up for another season by their respective networks. Cold Case will kick off its 7th season this fall on CBS according to Entertainment Weekly's Mike Ausiello who delivered the "official" news in his Ausiello Files online column. Meanwhile, Chuck will begins its 3rd season on NBC albeit with only 13 episodes and huge budget cuts (and the possible departure of a character in a cost-cutting move) according to Ausiello. (h/t to RichE for alerting me of the CC news in the comments section)

However, today was Fox's day to step up to the plate with the announcement of its official Fall 2009 schedule. As previously announced here at PTR, Bones will return for a fifth season and (surprise, surprise) it's keeping its current timeslot on Thursday night! But wait, there's more! The network is moving fellow PTR show Fringe to Thursdays after Bones, so we're going to have a Fox block on Thursday nights! Two of my faves on one night! Plus, we're getting an additional season of So You Think You Can Dance (season 5 premieres this Thursday and season 6 kicks off this fall) -- seriously, this is THE best upfronts week EVER!! Here's Fox's full fall schedule courtesy of The Futon Critic:

FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE: FALL 2009 (All Times ET/PT)

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM LIE TO ME

TUESDAY
8:00-10:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Performance Show

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Results Show
9:00-10:00 PM GLEE

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE

FRIDAY
8:00-8:30 PM BROTHERS
8:30-9:00 PM 'TIL DEATH
9:00-10:00 PM DOLLHOUSE

SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA'S MOST WANTED
11:00 PM-Midnight THE WANDA SYKES SHOW (working title)
Midnight-12:30 AM ANIMATION DOMINATION ENCORES

SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM THE OT (NFL post-game)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD

For more on Fox's schedule (including details on new series), visit The Futon Critic.

6 comments:

John said...

Fox's schedule is okay for my view point except for the expected cancelling of T:TSCC and moving Fringe to to Thursday's at 9:00 opposite Supernatural and CSI.

LillyKat said...

Ah, so the CC renewal drama is now over. Thank.God. I think this should serve as a lesson to the showrunners that: mediocrity can eventually bite you in the arse; Top 20 ratings don't guarantee you anything; resting on laurels is not a good thing; you don't just get to produce a show that costs a fortune without continuing to reinvent/invigorate it; and, you may have to go through this again next year considering Kathryn Morris is only signed through seven seasons.

I will speculate next year will the show's last unless something spectacular happens. I can't see Morris re-upping for another stretch of time - especially at her $200k/episode price tag. CBS will balk. LOL! Look at NBC's hardball play with Mariska Hargitay.

But at least the CC fans get their "one more season" wish. Good for them. Fans do have a powerful voice and when used properly, networks can - and do - listen.

Anonymous said...

It's not just KM that signed on for only seven seasons but the whole cast as well

LII2

TVFan said...

I imagine that this will be CC's last season as well. I'd love for the show/network to make that decision by midseason, though, so the show can have a proper send off and some closure (well, as much as CC can muster anyway). I hate when shows end and then the network makes the decision. I feel like if a show has been on for several seasons, then it deserves a proper send off. Unfortunately, the nets don't agree. ;-)

RichE said...

Definitely good news for the CC fans.

Let's go out with a bang hey Lilly? ;-) What? :-)

I can't say I take the signing up of a cast/crew member for a given number of seasons too seriously. If the network cancels a show it means nothing. I think it is more of an intent, a pact if you will. "If you agree to do 2 more seasons, I'll do 2 more season."

I don't know figures but isn't Kathryn's $200k/ep fairly modest compared to some? Of course CC doesn't have the DVD sales to boost the takings, which must constantly count against it.

I'm not saying that the 7th will be last CC but it would probably be a reasonable idea if it was. I think Kathryn will want to move on to other things, which CC's schedule gives her no chance to do.


RichE.

Anonymous said...

I would love to see Kathryn in other roles after season 7 is finished as well. I hope this next season is better...


Lii2