Day: May 19, 2021

News and Quick Comments

CBS’ fall schedule: a bit daring, a lot meek

CBS new fall line-up will be both daring and ultra-cautious.
The daring part involves the schedule itself: “NCIS” – TV’s most-watched show – moves to Mondays …. The best comedy spot (9 p.m. Thursdays) goes to a newcomer (“Ghosts,” shown here) … And the successful cop-and-crook block on Fridays will be one hour shorter, to make room for an unscripted show.
And the meek part involves the shows selected. Taking no chances, CBS will add fresh editions of “NCIS,” “CSI” and “FBI”; it will even put three FBI shows back-to-back on Tuesdays. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 19, 2021
News and Quick Comments

Cable’s “TNets”: silly, serious summertime

While money men work out the future, the former Ted Turner networks have basic plans for now.
The billion-dollar stuff – merging Warner and Discovery channels – is for later. For now, the “TNets” range from the silliness of “Wipeout” and “Go-Big Show” to the dead-serious “Snowpiercer” (shown here) and “Claws.”
Coming is what Brett Weitz, general manager of TBS, TNT and TruTV, calls “a very packed summer.” That will range from the comic “Miracle Workers” to the crime drama “Animal Kingdom,” and will include a fresh twist to movie night.
TBS’ “Friday Night Vibes” will have Tiffany Haddish hosting films and chatting with friends; that starts June 18 with a Juneteenth celebration that includes a “Creed” double-feature. “She’s such a pro …. I can’t wait to see who she gets to hang with her each week,” Weitz told reporters. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 19, 2021
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for May 21: Van Dyke adds color, “Tank” adds a dinosaur

1) “The Dick Van Dyke Show – Now in Living Color,” 8 p.m., CBS. Here are two episodes from a great comedy (shown here in a promo photo), now with color added by computer. The second – from the final season– lets Mel (Richard Deacon) finally stand up to Alan (Carl Reiner), his boss and brother-in-law. The first was co-written by Garry Marshall, recalling a real-life time when he had to secretly rewrite a play. Marshall would go on to produce “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley, “Mork and Mindy” and more. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 19, 2021
News and Quick Comments

“Evil” and “SEAL” jump to streaming network

There is still room for evil in our media landscape.
Or, specifically, for “Evil” – the series that disappeared 16 months ago. Its long-delayed second season will skip CBS and jump directly to the Paramount Plus streaming service.
No date has been set for the move, but another show will wait until this fall. That’s when “SEAL Team” (shown here) has a special on CBS, then jumps to the streamer. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 19, 2021