Fall Schedules: CBS

The stable schedule announced today by CBS is worlds apart from what we’ve seen the last two days (full press release here). Four new shows are joining the network’s line-up and only four shows will change timeslots (two of them—How I Met Your Mother and Cold Case—are even staying on the same night). So yes, the C stands for confident.

Good move: The biggest concern for CBS right now is erosion in their current hits, something that may be exacerbated by the same-y feeling of so many of their procedurals. So it’s smart that their new series appear to depart from the CSI formulas but also appear to be good fits with the CBS brand.

And of course the network’s one big move—Without a Trace to Sundays at 10—looks like an excellent call (and gets rid of the unnecessary movie of the week in the process). Even if ABC had left Grey’s Anatomy on the night the appealing, established Trace would’ve been able to make its mark, but with Grey’s out of the picture it’s CBS’ timeslot to lose. Football may win some weeks but Trace should be able to take it on successfully the way CSI: Miami did on Monday nights (and there’s the added benefit that Trace probably won’t even compete with football most weeks on the West coast).

Bad move: Moving an already weakened Amazing Race against Extreme Makeover: Home Edition isn’t encouraging for the globetrotting show’s future but Race should put up some solid demos and contribute to an overall solid lineup.

It’s pretty hard to argue with any of the series CBS ordered, brought back or cancelled. Honestly, we should all be terrified of Les Moonves. First CBS, soon… the world.

I’m looking forward to…: CBS isn’t exactly my network of choice but they’ve actually ordered four pilots I want to see. The Spike Lee-directed, James Woods-starring Shark will have my attention for at least one episode. And I’m very interested in the ensemble heist drama Smith, which brings Ray Liotta and Virginia Madsen to television with a solid supporting cast. The comedy pickup The Class may be no better than How I Met Your Mother but I’ll check it out, ditto disaster drama Jericho (except substitute Invasion for HIMYM).

…but not: Even if they don’t become a part of my schedule I honestly want to see all of these pilots (compared to last season when I only watched a few of the comedies and one of the dramas). Seriously, fear Moonves.

What they didn’t pick up: With only four pickups and three more for midseason there were several shows left out. Among the actors you won’t be seeing on CBS this fall (barring last minute tinkering): Tom Cavanagh, Bobby Cannavale, Johnny Galecki, Sara Rue, Jane Krakowski, Oliver Hudson, Teri Polo and Chris Elliott in their own comedies and dramas starring John Leguizamo, Joshua Jackson, Julia Ormond, Blair Underwood, Mena Suvari and Lena Headey (in a female superhero show that I was hoping would be shipped to The CW, but that doesn’t appear to be happening for the moment).

(And recent Lost victim Cynthia Watros was a co-star in the Cavanagh project, so without that she’ll be free for as many island flashbacks as necessary.)

Say goodbye to: Only four rookies (four is a big number for CBS this year): Courting Alex, Out of Practice, Threshold and Love Monkey. Plus outlasted-their-usefulness comedies Still Standing and Yes Dear.