Fall 2006 Breakdown-CBS

Note: This is a series of five articles analyzing the major networks going into the upfront presentations in mid-May. Look for a new article every few days. We kick it off with CBS today.

• Renewed For 2006-2007: Cold Case, 60 Minutes, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, CSI: Miami, NCIS, The Amazing Race (only one season), Criminal Minds, CSI: NY, CSI, Survivor, Without a Trace, Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs
• Solid Bets For Renewal: The Unit, The New Adventures of Old Christine, 48 Hours Mystery
  
• On the Bubble: CBS Sunday Movie, King of Queens, Close to Home, Out of Practice, Game Show Marathon
  
• As Good As Gone: Courting Alex, Still Standing
  
• Already Cancelled: Threshold, Love Monkey, Yes, Dear

• New Series Picked Up For 2006-2007: The Class (fall), Creature Comforts (midseason)
• Possible Shows For 2006-2007: The Big Bang Theory; In the Shadows of the Law; Jericho; Sex, Power, Love, & Politics; Smith; You've Reached the Elliotts

The Skinny-CBS looks very solid going into next fall. Most of their schedule got renewals and the few holes they have will be filled with solid shows. The Class is sure to be a hit with its Friends connections. Creature Comforts is a series of animated episodes from the makers of Wallace & Gromit. Even though the last animated show tanked, I'd bet on Creature Comforts being a hit. Other shows that are possible pick ups include Jericho, a soap about life after several nuclear strikes, and Sex, Power, Love, & Politics (a comedy set on Capitol Hill).

My Predicted Schedule:

Sunday: 7 PM-60 Minutes, 8 PM-Cold Case, 9 PM-NCIS, 10 PM-The Unit
I think that the CBS Sunday Movie has seen its last airing. To combat Desperate Housewives I think CBS should move the male-dominated military dramas to provide a nice bit of counterprogramming. It's a huge risk but its CBS's only shot at taking out ABC on Sunday.

Monday: 8 PM-King of Queens, 8:30 PM-How I Met Your Mother, 9 PM-Two and a Half Men, 9:30 PM-The New Adventures of Old Christine, 10 PM-CSI: Miami
Even though I would like to see how ....Mother would do in the cushy 9:30 slot, you don't mess with success. This is the exact same lineup CBS currently has. King of Queens is a huge question mark due to contract demands but I think it will get one more year.

Tuesday: 8 PM-The Amazing Race/Creature Comforts (spring), 9 PM-Jericho, 10 PM-In the Shadows of the Law
With the move of NCIS and The Unit, this may be a trouble spot. I think the fall airing of The Amazing Race will be its last (except maybe in the summer). The spring will see the animated Creature Comforts as a replacement. Jericho looks like one of CBS's most promising shows and In the Shadows of the Law is the Eye's only legal show so a pickup is almost guaranteed.

Wednesday: 8 PM-The Class, 8:30 PM-Sex, Power, Love, & Politics, 9 PM-Criminal Minds, 10 PM-CSI: NY
I'm not sure if The Class and Sex, Power, Love, & Politics are half-hour shows but I believe they are. The Class should be an immediate hit and a welcome addition to Wednesday. Airing between solid shows; Sex, Power, Love, & Politics should get pretty good ratings. The two crime dramas keep their spots after a successful year.

Thursday: 8 PM-Survivor, 9 PM-CSI, 10 PM-Without a Trace
If there is any day we know for sure what will air, it is Thursday. I though about moving Survivor to Sunday since its ratings are beginning to drop but I decided to keep things the same. I'm sure CBS will too.

Friday: 8 PM-Ghost Whisperer, 9 PM-New Drama, 10 PM-Numb3rs
Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs are the only two recent Friday success stories so they stay put. I'm not sure what to pick for the new drama so I will let CBS decide that. Whatever it is, it is likely to be a hit airing between two solid shows.

Saturday: 8 PM-Crime Drama Repeats, 9 PM-Crime Drama Repeats, 10 PM-48 Hours Mystery
Nobody tries anything on Saturdays anymore. 48 Hours Mystery has been one of the few Saturday shows to find an audience so it keeps its spot.

Closing-As America's #1 broadcast network, CBS is in a great position. They don't have a lot of holes to fill and they can definitely afford to take a risk or two. Their development season has been ok but nothing special. I see at least two hits in their class-The Class and either Jericho or Creature Comforts. If they live up to their expectations, I don't see anybody competing with CBS for quite awhile.