Networks Redo Lineup Beginning Next Month
Third-place CBS and co-leader (with NBC) ABC have announced changes in their lineups starting next month.
CBS, where they’re getting very tired of all those gloomy predictions from Media Watchers in recent days, is bringing in two sitcoms and a onehour drama. Well, kind of. The drama, called “Under One Roof” and starring James Earl Jones, will be introduced Tuesday, March 14, but the network wasn’t prepared last week to say when future episodes would be presented.
The two sitcoms are “The George Wendt Show,” which will air at 8 on Wednesdays starting March 8, and “The Office,” which goes into the 9 p.m. Saturday slot on March 11.
The former stars George and Pat Finn as a pair of brothers who host a weekly radio automobile tip program; as we’ve noted in the past, it’s based on “Car Talk,” the Saturday afternoon show on NPR, which is considered to be a lot funnier.
“The Office” stars Valerie Harper and, says CBS, “an ensemble cast of bosses and secretaries comprising this `Upstairs, Downstairs’ look at corporate America.” “Upstairs, Downstairs” is considered to be a lot funnier.
CBS also said “Double Rush” will move from 9 to 8:30 on Wednesdays starting March 8 (with a “special presentation” scheduled for March 6 at 8:30).
“Under One Roof” is about a multigenerational African-American family in middle-class Seattle. Jones is the patriarch, a widowed police officer who is raising a 16-year-old foster child. Joe Morton plays an exMarine starting a new business as his wife (Vanessa Bell Calloway) prepares to re-enter the work force after 20 years but worries about her sons, one a diabetic.
“Love & War” had its final 9:30 Wednesday appearance on Feb. 1 and is expected to return to the schedule. Ditto “Hearts Afire,” which was on at 8:30 Wednesdays. But its return is a little more iffy.
CBS also said it is bringing back “Touched by an Angel” starring Roma Downey and Della Reese at 9 on Saturday and March 4.
ABC Entertainment said it is returning “On Our Own” to the schedule in March, starting with a one-time-only appearance at 8:30 on Friday, March 3.
The sitcom, with new cast member T’Keyah Crystal Keymah, will move into its regular slot at 9:30 the next Friday night.
In the return of “On,” Josh wins custody of the kids and the Jerrico family takes in Scotti Decker (Keymah, formerly of Fox’s “In Living Color”), “a spirited female contractor who has some serious differences with Josh.”
“On” will replace “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper,” which the network promises will return with original episodes in late April. Before “On” went off, it had aired on Sundays, earning a 7.7 rating and a 13 share.