This fall, CBS will take “stability” to an extreme.
With few exceptions, it will have the same shows … at the same time … on the same nights.
In fact, four nights will be unchanged from what they had at the end of this season. The other three, changing only a tad, are:
– Thursdays. Three shows from producer Chuck Lorre will be back-to-back, when “B Positive” is at 8:30, wedged between “Young Sheldon” and “Mom.” The new show (shown here) stars Thomas Middleditch (“Silicon Valley”) and Annaleigh Ashford (“Masters of Sex”); she plays the rough-hewn woman who may become his kidney donor. “The Unicorn,” which started this season in the 8:30 slot, moves back to 9:30.
– Sundays. Stepping into the 8 p.m. slot (previously held by “God Friended Me”) is a reboot of “The Equalizer.” Queen Latifah plays the mysterious person, helping people with nowhere else to turn. It’s a role that was played by Edward Woodward on CBS (1985-89) and Denzel Washington in two movies.
– Wednesdays. Two pioneering reality competitions will be back-to-back. “Survivor” started in 2000 and “Amazing Race” in 2001; now they’ll be at 8 and 9 p.m.
The networks usually turn out fresh stocks of pilot films each spring, but this year that was when the COVID shutdowns halted production. The choices were limited – approve a pilot-less show, go with one that was ready early or simply renew the old ones.
For now, CBS has little left on the shelf for mid-season. There’s one new show (“Clarice,” following the FBI agent Jodie Foster played in “Silence of the Lambs,” six months after that styory ended) … one returning drama (“SWAT”) … and a returning reality show “Undercover Boss.” More will be added, the network said.
Two shows ended their runs this season, but they were instantly replaced – “Hawaii Five-0” by “MacGyver,” “Madam Secretary” by (indirectly) “FBI Most Wanted.” In addition to stopping “God Friended Me” after two seasons, CBS canceled four other shows – “Tommy” and the comedies “Carol’s Second Act,” “Man of the House” and “Broke.” The line-up:
– Mondays: “The Neighborhood,” 8 p.m.; “Bob (Hearts) Abishola,” 8:30; “All Rise,” 9; “Bull,” 10.
– Tuesdays: “NCIS,” 8 p.m.; “FBI,” 9; “FBI : Most Wanted,” 10.
– Wednesdays: “Survivor,” 8 p.m.; “The Amazing Race,” 9; “SEAL Team,” 10.
– Thursdays: “Young Sheldon,” 8 p.m.; “B Positive,” 8:30; “Mom,” 9; “The Unicorn,” 9:30; “Evil,” 10.
– Fridays: “MacGyver,” 8 p.m.; “Magnm P.I.,” 9; “Blue Bloods,” 10.
– Saturdays: Crime-show reruns, 8-10 p.m.; “48 Hours,: 10.
– Sundays: “60 Minutes,” 7 p.m.; “The Equalizer,” 8; “NCIS: Los Angeles,” 9; “NCIS: New Orleans,” 10.