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CBS unveils fall schedule: Ladies, laughs lead the way

May 14, 2008, 10:50 AM | by Lynette Rice

Categories: TV Biz

Elizabethreaser_l_2 CBS is opening a second night of comedies this fall and looking to boost its X-chromosome quotient with new female-driven shows like The Ex-List (pictured), starring Grey's Anatomy's Elizabeth Reaser. Wednesdays will feature another season of The New Adventures of Old Christine, followed by the new comedy Project Gary, a Jay Mohr starrer about a divorced dad navigating his new life as a bachelor — with kids. Rules of Engagement will move to midseason to make way for a new comedy on Mondays at 9:30 p.m. called Worst Week, about a guy (Kyle Bornheimer) who's a magnet for trouble. New drama Eleventh Hour (about two brainiacs who investigate scientific mysteries) will take over Thursdays at 10, after CSI, while Simon Baker returns to CBS on Tuesdays at 9 in The Mentalist, a drama about a detective with a keen eye for details. The Eye will attempt to lure more female viewers on Fridays with Ex List at 9, about a gal (Reaser) who learns she has only one year to find her future husband — someone she's already met. Without a Trace moves to Tuesdays at 10, while The Unit — which is expected to add a female character this fall — jumps over to Sundays at 10. Finally, another edition of The Amazing Race begins this fall at 8 on Sundays.

Pilot development continues at CBS (the network says it has roughly 17 projects in the works), but one has already been picked up for midseason: a younger-skewing drama called Harper's Island that the network describes as a cross between 10 Little Indians and Scream. Despite speculation to the contrary, CBS has no plans to rescue Back To You, the cancelled Fox comedy starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. Also gone are Shark, Jericho, and Moonlight — which, despite published reports, is not moving to the CW — while Swingtown, a period drama starring Grant Show debuting in June, remains the only summer show for now, with no plans to add it to next fall. The rest of the schedule — including the Eye's Monday lineup of The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, and Two and a Half Men and Friday's Ghost Whisperer — remains intact.

A Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 02:03 PM EST

Bring Back SHARK!!!!

becky Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 06:46 PM EST

Bring Back "SHARK". The only good show and you take it off. Such a DUMB move.

Unknown Commenter Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 10:06 AM EST

How dare CBS throw out Shark and Moonlight. They were both really good shows to watch.

J. Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 11:05 PM EST

MY GOD... you finally have a show that is excellent. it makes me angry that you take off such a wonderful show. no doubt money is the issue. this program was named "best new show on tv" WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT TELL YOU? GET IT BACK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa Sat, May 31, 2008 at 10:46 AM EST

CBS- No Jericho or Moonlight? No reason to watch CBS anymore. Are you nuts? Why do you cancel your best shows?

Caren Fri, May 23, 2008 at 05:10 AM EST

Moonlight was awesome, the only truly romantic show on air (what else would you expect from Ron Koslow, creator?). Bring back Moonlight!
What I still don't understand is where they are getting the ratings FROM? Are they taking into account Tivo, cable DVRs, Direct TV DVRs, Itunes and of course internet? Or are these based only on the obsolete and old-fashioned Nielsons that have nothing to do with reality? Most people in the 16-24 coveted demographic either watch exclusively online on their laptops, or they watch in groups of people in college rooms and family basements. I think ratings are way off-base. And I hear the rumor that not enough people are watching the CW? Every teenage and college student I know watches some show on the CW. The CW is the youth channel - they all watch it. Its ridiculous to think otherwise. CBS is known as the crime drama channel. I like crime dramas. It should pick up Women's Murder club. And what about Numb3rs? Is it coming back?

Laurie L Wed, May 21, 2008 at 11:02 PM EST

I am so angry & disappointed about Moonlight being cancelled - it's the best show on TV. CBS is saying they are trying to attract more female viewers by filling the Friday @ 9pm slot with a show called Ex List, about a woman who has a year to find her future husband, blah, blah?! Oh, yeah - I am going to watch that instead of Alex O'Loughlin as Mick St. John, and the best show on TV ever - NO!!!! I am thru with CBS forever - there are millions of fans still trying to get another network to pick up Moonlight, so don't give up yet, guys. Write to USA, SCI-FI, FX, any network that might consider. I have been told those are the 3 most likely candidates (USA & Sci-Fi owned by same corp, & pres. is Bonnie Hammer. But I got a list of networks & addresses from my cable co & sent out 11 letters. Email, call, whatever you can do! Don't let this marvelous show die! Go to HeyNielsen.com & give your opinions & go to YouChoose.net - don't give up! Keep bugging CBS too! (Attn: Nina Tassler)

Karen Wed, May 21, 2008 at 03:02 PM EST

AS MILLIONS OF OTHER VIEWERS HAVE STATED, PLEASE DON'T CANCEL MOONLIGHT!!! IT HAS AN UNBELIEVABLY HUGE AUDIENCE - MANY OF WHICH ARE WOMEN OF ALL AGES. DID YOU NOT SEE THE APPEAL OF ALEX "ONE OF THE SEXIEST MEN ON TV". WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU DECIDED TO CANCEL THIS POPULAR SHOW? CBS - YOU SCREWED UP. ALEX O'LOUGHLIN'S 6-YEAR CONTRACT WITH YOU MEANT NOTHING I GUESS. HE GAVE UP HIS ROLE ON "THE SHIELD" TO STAR IN MOONLIGHT ONLY TO DROP IT WITHOUT REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT YOU WERE GIVING UP. WHY NOT LOOK AT ALL THE POSSIBILITIES BEFORE DUMPING IT. THERE ARE OTHER TIME SLOTS YOU COULD HAVE TRIED IT IN. NOT THAT IT REALLY NEEDED IT BECAUSE THE 10,000,000 PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR IT AS BEST NEW DRAMA WERE WATCHING EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT! I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY THAT SO MANY PEOPLE WILL DUMP CBS PERIOD. IF YOU THINK WE'RE KIDDING, YOU'RE DEAD WRONG.

Done with network tv Tue, May 20, 2008 at 11:49 PM EST

Its all about advertising. CBS, NBC, and ABC could care less about what viewers want. It s about all those shitty Chinese made products that everyone is hawking and all the boomer's are buying. Best way to get their attention? Stop buying the products of the advertisers. Ego inflated ad executives and overpaid CEO's don't care about the public. Crappy reality (forget the fact that there is nothing real about them) sell junk and the uneducated viewers buy it. Want quality? Read a book. The networks chased most of the quality writers away and are trying to get rid of the rest by canceling entertaining and thought provoking shows. Even the news stinks. Cable channels at least still have some hope for decent programming. Maybe its time the big three closed their doors for good. All the public needs to do is find a way to give them a push.

onlymick Tue, May 20, 2008 at 05:05 PM EST

MOONLIGHT,MOONLIGHT,MOONLIGHT! Bring it back. The people love it. The fans are loyal and CBS is crazy!

truefan Tue, May 20, 2008 at 05:01 PM EST

I cannot understand the reasoning behind CBS cancelling MOONLIGHT? It had very good ratings for a Friday night program. This was even despite of the crazy writers strike(which should have been avoided by the networks). CBS has a record of doing this to the quality shows. NO MORE REALITY TV< NO MORE SITCOMS! BRING BACK MOONLIGHT!

SOSAD Tue, May 20, 2008 at 04:57 PM EST

MOONLIGHT WAS(IS) A GREAT SHOW. IT HAS IT ALL! CBS SHAME ON YOU. WE CAN ONLY HOPE THE DETERMINATION OF ITS DEVOTED FANS CAN HELP SAVE IT.

Helen Robinson Tue, May 20, 2008 at 04:54 PM EST

Well CBS you did it once again. Get a great series and pull the plug. I can only hope that another network with a brain chooses to pick up MOONLIGHT. As for our family, no more CBS PERIOD!

jackie wehde Tue, May 20, 2008 at 04:19 PM EST

Well cbs thanks for running such an interesting, fresh show(MOONLIGHT), leading us to believe it would be back in the fall and then throwing it out the window. So heads up would have been nice. Maybe myself and 6 of my female coworkers might not have gotten so very attached to our Friday night ritual of watching it together. Well now maybe we can find someother network like ABC or NBC or CW or even USA(thats a good one). Maybe we will play cards, but one thing we will not do is EVER watch a CBS show again. Thanks for nothing.

iheartmick Tue, May 20, 2008 at 07:03 AM EST

Shame on you, CBS for letting Moonlight go. I for one, am among many that WON'T be turning in to watch the Ex List. You may as already cancel that show - any fan of Moonlight will boycott that one for sure. You have a weak fall line up, CBS! Bring back Moonlight!

Paula Mon, May 19, 2008 at 12:58 PM EST

What in the heck is wrong with CBS???Moonlight was the best thing that they have done in awhile. Did you look at the previews of it's replacement "The Ex-list" on You Tube?
If they think ratings for Moonlight wasn't what they should be then wait til they get them for this bomb!! I cannot BELIEVE people actually get paid at CBS for making these kinds of decisions!! No wonder FOX is beating them!!

Wendy Sun, May 18, 2008 at 10:33 PM EST

Someone at CBS needs to get their head out of their crack pipe for a while. MOONLIGHT was the best thing they had going from them and in their drug induced state, they decide to cancel it. Morons....the lot of them.

Robin McLaughlin Sun, May 18, 2008 at 08:34 PM EST

Moonlight has been one of my very favorite shows. So much romance, good story line and it makes vampires seem real! Please bring it back this fall!

bsu74 Fri, May 16, 2008 at 09:45 PM EST

BRING BACK MOONLIGHT!!!!! I watch very few shows on CBS, and this is one of them!! I really thought that the show would be back for a second season!! Shame on you CBS

Mari Fri, May 16, 2008 at 02:05 PM EST

Being a new mom I hardly have time to watch TV anymore but I made the time to watch Moonlight on CBS. With the news that they are not being renewed goes to show the TV executives have no clue what people want to see anymore. Reality TV is getting boring and the comedies are not what they used to be. This show had a little bit of everything - romance, comedy, drama and action. Who could not love a show with whole package. I realize if this show is not going to be renewed I guess I have more time to read. TV programs are not what they used to be and I prefer not to watch if Moonlight is not going to return.

inkling1 Fri, May 16, 2008 at 01:02 PM EST

Sorry, while I love to laugh I do not find the CBS comedies funny.
MOONLIGHT certainly deserves a second season; it is wittier than the comedies, as well as dramatic and romantic. Am glad THE UNIT will be back.

francis Fri, May 16, 2008 at 10:31 AM EST

Moonlight is such a good show, those who diss it as a rip of Angel have just never seen it. It is truly different. They seem to cancel all the shows that it takes some brain to love. Now go on with stupid reality shows.

Pmac Thu, May 15, 2008 at 04:03 PM EST

Thank God the Unit is comin' back. after cancelling Jericho, I thought I might have to give CBS unitl I turned 50

AMW Thu, May 15, 2008 at 09:35 AM EST

As much as I love Diane Ruggiero's work, I won't be tuning in to anything in CBS's "Deathspot" of Friday at 9pm. It doesn't matter what a show does during that timeframe, it is going to get canceled. I for one and not wasting another hour of my life getting invested in one of their shows...the trust is gone.

Alan Thu, May 15, 2008 at 01:05 AM EST

I can't remember which network it was on, but I wish they brought back last year's summer series, Traveler--I really got hooked on that one!

sam Thu, May 15, 2008 at 12:18 AM EST

CBS is incredibly stupid. They cancel Moonlight, a show that women love, with two of the sexiest and best actors on TV, which, by the way, they never promoted, and put on a show in its place with a woman star and think that is going to attract more women? Well, this woman is done with all of CBS primetime and many others are going with me. I suspect that Ghost Whisperer will lose a lot of voters too. I never watched it before Moonlight came on and I won't watch it any more.

Christy Thu, May 15, 2008 at 12:03 AM EST

I cannot BELIEVE they are cancelling Moonlight. That's the only CBS show I watch, so goodbye CBS. What a STUPID network.

Mary Wed, May 14, 2008 at 09:53 PM EST

I can't believe CBS cancelled Moonlight? Are you complete idiots or just partly moronic? ABC, NBC, here I come!!!!!

Ruby Wed, May 14, 2008 at 06:38 PM EST

It's not worth getting into any of the shows because they change them faster than underwear.

lvk1987 Wed, May 14, 2008 at 05:44 PM EST

Yo, LCY! Didja ever watch "Angel"? The only things "Moonlight" has in common with that show are vamps, a detective and a drop dead gorgeous guy in the lead.

Looking for X chromosomes? WTF? Here we are in legions crying about the loss of a lovely show with one of the most beautiful men we have ever had the pleasure of viewing. Alex O'Loughlin was the raison d'etre for CBS Friday nights. The Eye can kiss my behonkus if it thinks I'm gonna watch some stupid show with some "Grey's Anatomy" reject. A show, BTW, which has sucked major leauge for quite some time. Call me when Meredith quits whining. Like that's gonna happen!

vw Wed, May 14, 2008 at 05:31 PM EST

Now that Moonlight is gone, cbs can go back to being the same old network of the past. Instead of being different, cbs can keep the same old crop of crime shows.

filmgirl Wed, May 14, 2008 at 04:33 PM EST

I came to Moonlight late in the game. I enjoyed the dynamic of the show and was looking forward to next season's adventures with Mick, Beth and company. The writer's strike unfairly pre-empted viewers' ability to find shows, learn to enjoy the plotlines and story arcs and develop loyalties to cast members. Moonlight should be given another opportunity to prove itself to the network and the public. I guess it's time to switch to another channel and give them my support. Too bad-another chunk of the ratings market lost to CBS.

Scott M Wed, May 14, 2008 at 03:56 PM EST

I don't get it. Shark, Jericho, and Moonlight are all good shows. There was a writer's strike, so no show had a full run to earn renewal or cancellation. All three shows deserve better fates than this. Plus CBS needs to give up trying anything edgy. The shows never seem to "catch on" with a big enough audience so why bother making the attempt. They need to stick to what they're good at, making spinoffs and ripoffs of C.S.I. Nothing else seems to work.

AMO Wed, May 14, 2008 at 03:50 PM EST

I can't believe Moonlight got cancelled it was a great and interesting show. Maybe, by some slim hope another network can pick it up!!???

Stephanie T, Wed, May 14, 2008 at 03:44 PM EST

Harpers Island sounds very much like Lost.

LCY Wed, May 14, 2008 at 02:01 PM EST

CBS isn't a cable network - you don't pay for it. And Moonlight was a crappy knockoff of "Angel".

MarkG Wed, May 14, 2008 at 01:56 PM EST

The Big Bang theory was never in danger. It had already been picked up a while back. The only Monday comedy who's fate remained unclear was "How I Met Your Mother" (the best of the monday bunch) but it managed to survive also.

Eli Wed, May 14, 2008 at 01:55 PM EST

First Men in Trees now Moonlight, my wife is gonna be pissed!

Ian Wed, May 14, 2008 at 01:39 PM EST

Cancel Moonlight, keep all the lame shows, and then add even worse ones? Any chance I can take CBS off my cable bill?

Wed, May 14, 2008 at 01:17 PM EST

How I Met Your Mother survives - hooray! Truly one of the best shows on television. Seriously, if you haven't watched this show, now is the time to get hooked. Buy the DVDs and start from the beginning. You won't be disappointed!

Cami Wed, May 14, 2008 at 01:05 PM EST

The only reason I was watching the ever more stale Numbers was because it followed Moonlight. If Moonlight is gone, so is my last reason for watching ANY show on CBS. What morons.

Michael Wed, May 14, 2008 at 01:00 PM EST

The Mentalist features a "detective with a keen eye for details?" Sounds like "Psych" but not nearly as funny.

jords Wed, May 14, 2008 at 12:47 PM EST

Wait, CBS is looking to drive female viewers and so it cancels MOONLIGHT?? Moonlight, home of Mick and Josef, the original chic magnets?? Moonlight, whose female base turned out in droves to donate blood to show their support for the show?? Those sorts of females??

I couldn't be more disappointed in a network's lack of vision or anti-fan attitude. The waste of such a loyal fan-base is scandalous in today's difficult TV landscape. Sorry, Eye Network, you can count me out of your ratings in the future.

someone Wed, May 14, 2008 at 12:23 PM EST

glad they kept how i met your mother

MikeknaJ Wed, May 14, 2008 at 12:17 PM EST

Moonlight? People actually watched that show?? I'm glad Big Bang Theory survives - hilarious!

Catherine Wed, May 14, 2008 at 12:06 PM EST

I can't believe that Moonlight and Jericho are being cancelled. This is a tragedy. I can't support a network that gets rid of their unusual or intersting shows.

Barbara Wed, May 14, 2008 at 11:40 AM EST

I can't believe that you are cancelling Shark. This is a great show with a super cast. I don't know what criteria is used in making decisions on whether to cancel or renew a show but, you had better review the criteria before you lose your CBS audience.

Barbara Stewart Wed, May 14, 2008 at 11:28 AM EST

I can't believe that you are cancelling Moonlight. I have my grandchildren watching vampires following Ghost Whisper on Friday nights. I guess, we will just go to the movies and not watch TV on Friday nights. CBS really does not have that many good shows, maybe we will watch a station where they are remodeling a house or baking a cake....

Kathy Wed, May 14, 2008 at 11:23 AM EST

I can't believe they cancelled Shark. James Woods is awesome! That show rocked!!!!!

Cajunsblues Wed, May 14, 2008 at 10:48 AM EST

I am happy about The Unit coming back as well as Big Bang Theory.
But do they think women do not watch other shows on CBS and have to make stuff for them?
I am sure alot of people are looking forward to Swingtown not survivng pass 3 episodes.

Carly Wed, May 14, 2008 at 10:43 AM EST

I am so happy The Big Bang Theory is coming back. This is the best new sitcom in years. It is hilarious. My favorite show.

TV Watcher Wed, May 14, 2008 at 10:41 AM EST

Hey to all of you posting that are complaining about the cancellation of your favorite shows.....Did you ever write or contact the Network ? When your fave show first debuted - did you tell others about it - try and increase viewership ? If you did...then fine - but - if not - STFU and get over it - there are many other grood shows on the tube - most are on ABC, however....like Grey's Anatomy !

deadendangel Wed, May 14, 2008 at 10:36 AM EST

So on Friday night in Moonlight's place, we're having a new series with an alum from Grey's Anatomy, which is the worst series every made in my opinion!

How very trendy CBS is getting to be, retrending cast members from a "hit" ABC show.

You had an original show, Moonlight, and you throw it away just like so much garbage! Boo to CBS, I am done with you!

licat3 Wed, May 14, 2008 at 10:24 AM EST

Well, without Jericho or Moonlight, I have absolutely no reason to watch the eye network. Thanks CBS, get rid of some of your better shows. CSI has just gone boring! The new shows do not sound at all appealing to me, thank god for dvd's...I will have something to watch in the evenings!

Shy Vy Wed, May 14, 2008 at 10:23 AM EST

What about Numbers? I need my weekly fix of my Sexy Math Man!

Sally Wed, May 14, 2008 at 10:22 AM EST

You cancel Moonlight, but pick up a show for Jay Mohr (EWWWWW!) And you replace Moonlight with a chick flick type show???? Moonlight is the hottest show for 20-40 something females EVER! IDIOTS.

Sra Wed, May 14, 2008 at 10:19 AM EST

Ok CBS, that's it. I will NEVER watch this station again. Moonlight was the ONLY reason I watched CBS, Losers....

Monica Wed, May 14, 2008 at 10:06 AM EST

Well with the cancellation of Moonlight, I now no longer watch shows on CBS. I was down to CSI (the original), Moonlight and then Numbers, but CSI and Numbers were showing there age...

Not sure what the thinking is since I am in the so called "coveted" demographic! Shame on you CBS for canceling Moonlight!

sarah Wed, May 14, 2008 at 09:57 AM EST

CBS wants to lure more female viewers, but they cancel Moonlight? Idiots!

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