NETWORK TV UPFRONTS: CBS

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.... CBS had little new to offer today when it announced only 4 new shows to its fall schedule. The biggest surprise, if you can call it that, was moving WITHOUT A TRACE from Thursday to Sunday. The CBS network has made a number one name for itself by focusing on a multitude of procedural shows (in fact, every night of its schedule is filled with at least one procedural show). I am in the minority, but I LOATHE crime shows that continue to out-gore one another for ratings dominance. So CBS is one network that I am not excited to be watching in the fall. The only hour I will take in will be the kickoff hour on Mondays. Its here that HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER returns, followed by newcomer THE CLASS - starring my fave JOEY performer Andrea Anders. The comedy continue with TWO AND A HALF MEN and the unfunny THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE. CSI: MIAMI finishes the night....TUESDAYS see the returns of NCIS and THE UNIT, followed by new drama SMITH starring Ray Liotta....WEDNESDAYS kick off with the new JERICHO, then finish with returning dramas CRIMINAL MINDS and CSI: NY...Thursdays begin with the slowly-fading SURVIVOR, followed by the number show CSI, and the night ends with newcomer SHARK, a new legal drama...Fridays stay the same: GHOST WHISPERER, CLOSE TO HOME and NUMB3RS...Saturdays start with two repeat hours of crime shows followed by 48 HOURS: MYSTERY...Sundays find the newly relocated AMAZING RACE and WITHOUT A TRACE, with COLD CASE sandwiched between the two.... It's a safe schedule overall, and should give CBS another solid year at number one....But once America grows tired of procedurals, CBS may wake up one year and see it's ratings plummet....At least that's wishful thinking on my part.