Cbs Does More Than Clean House

CBS is running scared — and cleaning house.

Fleeing from an NBC challenge, CBS is moving its highest-rated drama, “Murder, She Wrote,” away from Sunday night as part of a new fall schedule that will bring change to every night of the week for the sagging thirdplace network.

CBS said Wednesday it will introduce six new comedies and five dramas, and cancel more than a dozen programs to make room.

Getting the ax: “Northern Exposure,” “Under Suspicion,” “Under One Roof,” “Rescue 911,” “Due South,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “Eye to Eye with Connie Chung,” “Double Rush,” “Love & War,” “Hearts Afire,” “The George Wendt Show,” “The Office,” “Burke’s Law,” “Women of the House,” and “The Wright Verdicts.”

That’s actually more than a housecleaning; it’s closer to a demolition for a network that fell so far this season that even Fox reached more of the under-50-year-old viewers sought by advertisers.

“Yes, we want and need younger viewers to come to CBS, and our new programs go right at that,” said Peter Tortorici, president of CBS Entertainment. “Our shows are more urban, contemporary and attractive.”

The big surprise was the move of the Angela Lansbury drama “Murder, She Wrote” from Sundays to Thursdays at 8, a quick response to NBC’s decision to move “Mad About You” to Sundays. Filling the gap on Sundays for CBS will be the secondyear comedy “Cybill” and a new comedy, “Almost Perfect.”

But CBS’s hopes for a revival rest with its new shows, some of which are, to be sure, getting favorable buzz.

New dramas

The new CBS dramas are:

“Central Park West,” Mariel Hemingway and Lauren Hutton lead an ensemble cast who play well-todo, ambitious and sexy New Yorkers.

“Matt Waters,” starring talkshow host Montel Williams as a Navy veteran who teaches science at an inner-city high school.

“Courthouse,” featuring Patricia Wettig as a tough, sexy judge and Robin Givens as a public defender.

“John Grisham’s The Client,” starring JoBeth Williams as a family lawyer and advocate for kids, based on the character from the best seller.

“American Gothic,” an offbeat drama starring Gary Cole as a smalltown sheriff “who rules without law or conscience” because he is plagued by a “demonic force” and a “lethal amorality.” It’s from the unlikely production team of Shaun Cassidy and Sam Raimi.

New comedies

The new CBS comedies are:

“Almost Perfect,” a romantic comedy about an overachieving scriptwriter and a district attorney.

“Can’t Hurry Love,” a comedy about “love, romance and an endless series of dating disappointments” starring Nancy McKeon.

“If Not For You,” a romantic comedy about two young lovers, each engaged to the wrong people. Elizabeth McGovern stars.

“Bless This House,” with Cathy Moriarty and Andrew Clay as a working-class married couple with big dreams who fight a lot.

“Bonnie,” starring the talented Bonnie Hunt as a TV feature reporter. The show will combine scripted and improvised material. Executive producer is David Letterman.

“Dweebs,” a workplace comedy about twentysomething computer nerds at a software company.

CBS lineup

The CBS fall lineup:

Mondays: 8, “The Nanny.” 8:30, “Can’t Hurry Love.” 9, “Murphy Brown.” 9:30, “If Not For You.” 10, “Chicago Hope.”

Tuesdays: 8, “Matt Waters.” 9, Movie.

Wednesdays: 8, “Bless This House.” 8:30, “Dave’s World.” 9, “Central Park West.” 10, “Courthouse.”

Thursdays: 8, “Murder, She Wrote.” 9, “John Grisham’s The Client.” 10, “48 Hours.”

Fridays: 8, “Dweebs.” 8:30, “Bonnie.” 9, “Picket Fences.” 10, “American Gothic.”

Saturdays: 8, “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.” 9, “Touched by an Angel.” 10, “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

Sundays: 7, “60 Minutes.” 8, “Cybill.” 8:30, “Almost Perfect.” 9, Movie.