Fox adds ‘Alcatraz’, drops ‘Chicago Code’
The broadcast TV networks don’t officially announce their fall schedules to advertisers until next week, but word already is out about the fate of several Fox shows.
Into the network’s compost bin this week went “The Chicago Code,” “Human Target,” “Breaking In,” “Lie to Me” and “Traffic Light.”
Meanwhile, the network has made new series orders for “The New Girl,” starring Zooey Deschanel as a lovelorn teacher, and “I Hate My Teenage Daughter,” with Jaime Pressly.
Also, the time-travel drama “Alcatraz” looks headed for the schedule, as does the “Bones” spin-off “Finder,” focusing on Walter Truman, a Florida private detective.
Fox announced earlier in the week that it was bringing “House” back for an eighth season, though ratings have fallen.
Four for NBC
NBC has picked up four new shows for fall: “Smash,” “Prime Suspect,” “Up All Night” and “Whitney.”
Based on a concept by Steven Spielberg, the musical comedy “Smash” focuses on the cast (including Debra Messing and “American Idol” alum Katharine McPhee) of a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe.
Adapted from the acclaimed British procedural, “Prime Suspect” finds Maria Bello stepping into the role that Helen Mirren made famous as a female detective who’s investigating a murder in a mostly male precinct.
“Up All Night” is a single-camera comedy about a dry-witted working mom (Christina Applegate), her stay-at-home husband (Will Arnett), and her meddling parents.
Maya Rudolph (“Saturday Night Live”) co-stars and “SNL’s” Lorne Michaels is a co-executive producer.
“Whitney,” inspired by the stand-up comedy of Whitney Cummings, follows a young couple dealing with the highs and lows of monogamy.
Out at OWN
In the wake of initial disappointing ratings for OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, its head, Christina Norman, has abruptly left the 4-month-old channel.
Taking over on an interim basis is Peter Liguori, the chief operating officer for Discovery Communications.
Winfrey said she and Liguori will recruit a permanent CEO for the network’s “next phase of growth.”
She added that with the end of her syndicated talk show this month, she can devote her full energies to OWN.
Lehrer bows out
Jim Lehrer announced Thursday that he’s leaving PBS’ “NewsHour” as a regular anchor effective the week of June 6 – the final step in a carefully planned retirement that included the introduction of a rotating anchor team in December 2009.
Lehrer, who turns 77 next week, said he will still appear many Fridays to moderate an analysis of the week’s news with columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks, and offer behind-the-scenes advice to the show’s producers.
He was originally partnered with Robert MacNeil on a Washington-based newscast in 1975. MacNeil retired in 1996, leaving Lehrer as the sole anchor.