CBS: 2006-2007 Primetime Schedule

May 17, 2006 News

CBS is going with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" strategy for this fall, adding only four new shows and bringing back six of its freshman series. Based on the network's press release today, here's what we can expect:

Coming in Fall 2006

The Class

Timeslot: Mon., 8:30-9:00 p.m.
Genre: Comedy
Premise: A group of people who met in third grade reunite two decades later.
Reminds me of: A younger version of ABC's new series In Case of Emergency.
Famous names: Executive producer David Crane.

Jericho

Timeslot: Wed., 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Genre: Drama
Premise: A small town is plunged into crisis when it is isolated by a nuclear event.
Reminds me of: A nuclear version of Lost.
Famous names: Skeet Ulrich, Gerald MacRaney.

Shark

Timeslot: Thu., 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Genre: Drama
Premise: A charismatic lawyer brings his effective but ethically-challenged approach to the prosecutor's office.
Reminds me of: A spinoff of Boston Legal with Alan Shore's character as the lead.
Famous names: James Woods, Jeri Ryan, director Spike Lee, executive producer Brian Grazer.

Smith

Timeslot: Tue., 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Genre: Drama
Premise: An expert thief plans a last run of heists with his crew while trying to stay a few steps ahead of the FBI.
Reminds me of: Lots of "just one more crime and I'll retire" movies.
Famous names: Ray Liotta, executive producer John Wells.

Returning

The Amazing Race
Close to Home
Cold Case
Crimetime Saturday
Criminal Minds
all three CSI series
48 Hours: Mystery
Ghost Whisperer
How I Met Your Mother
NCIS
The New Adventures of Old Christine
Numb3rs
60 Minutes
Survivor
Two and a Half Men
The Unit
Without a Trace

My predictions

First new show to get cancelled: The Class. A truly juvenile concept. Send this one off to detention.

First new show to become a cult favorite: Jericho. Is it just a coincidence that this show is slotted one hour before Lost?

New show I'm most looking forward to: Smith, primarily because of Ray Liotta, who probably hasn't had a role this good since, well, Goodfellas.

-- A. Wu