CBS Fall 2007: Crime is Money

CBS Line-Up for Fall 2007

CBS has handful of interesting new shows that aren’t their typical “crime procedural” shows that form the bulk of their schedule. The network is looking to create some buzz, as they are in the odd position of being the most-watched network, but nobody really talks about “The Unit”, “Without A Trace”, or “Criminal Minds”. Some interesting dramas, but nothing really jumps out at me:

• “Viva Laughlin”, a remake of the Brit hit “Viva Blackpool” (which starred David Tennant, currently playing Doctor Who), is a musical gangster story. Hugh Jackman plays a part and is the producer. I may check this one out just for the sake of morbid curiosity.
• “Cane” Jimmy Smits returns to TV as the head of a Cuban-American family running a rum and sugar plantation. Think “The Sopranos” but in Miami instead of New Jersey.
• “Moonlight” a vampire private investigator, which was the main premise originally of the Joss Whedon series “Angel”. Meh.

An interesting choice for a mid-season drama is “Swingtown”, best described by What’s Alan Watching as “Ice Storm: The Series”. The Ice Storm was a brilliant but dark Ang Lee directed movie about the frayed edges of suburban life in the swinging 70s, emphasis on “swinging”.

New reality show is "Kid Nation," where 40 kids are put in a town with no real adult supervision

Video previews are up on the CBS site.

“How I Met Your Mother”, “Shark”, “Rules of Engagement”, and “Criminal Minds” are all back, and "New Adventures of Old Christine" pops up in the mid-season with a reduced episode order.
Not returning: “Jericho”, which I thought had picked up steam story-wise in the second half of the season, but saw a massive drop of ratings after the winter break.

"The Amazing Race" isn’t on the schedule, but will likely return mid-season.

All three C.S.I. return, and I have to think the resolution of the C.S.I. season finale rests on how poorly contract negotiations with Jorja Fox go (there was a rumour they had to re-shoot the finale as she refused to film her death scene).

New comedy being dropped into Monday is “The Big Bang Theory” with two physicists being taught about life and love by their hot and sexy party girl neighbour, who also is an aspiring screenwriter. Think “Two Guys, A Girl and a Particle Accelerator”. The party girl role in the original pilot last year was played by ex-Much Music VJ Amanda Walsh, and the role has been recast with Kaley Cuoco, "8 Simple Rules...". Don’t sweat it Amanda, you dodged a bullet on that mess. Amanda Walsh was in the funny but cancelled ABC show “Sons & Daughters” last year.