As the new TV season chugs along, something has been missing.
Something big, actually. CBS, the ratings leader, has held back its shows.
Now they arrive in one burst, in what the network calls “Premiere Week.” From Oct. 13-19 (three weeks later than usual), it will debut two shows (including “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” shown here), have the second episode of one and the season-openers of nine more. Three more shows arrive a week later.
And mostly, this is a good batch.
CBS did have one misfire – a sub-par pilot for “Poppa’s House” – but wisely decided to re-do it. It also has “The Summit,” which is sort of a “Survivor” copy, but with less fun.
The others, however, are first-rate. Three terrific pilots (“Matlock,” “NCIS: Origins” and “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage”) join two winners from last year (“Tracker” and “Elsbeth”) and others that seem to go on forever.
As streaming networks gobble up more viewers, the broadcast networks have been in flux. But CBS has been in a better place than the others: It mostly sticks to dramas that settle a case each hour; that seems to be what’s wanted by the traditional viewers (older ones, mostly) who stick with broadcast.
If you ignore football, CBS had the four most-watched shows last season. It had 13 of the top 16, leaving room for only NBC’s Chicago shows.
Strikes shattered the season, but CBS still introduced two strong shows: “Tracker” jumped to No. 1 in the ratings; “Elsbeth” was No. 15.
Then the network gave its shows extra time to re-set, with a few exceptions: Its unscripted shows (“Survivor,” “Summit,” “60 Minutes,” “48 Hours”) have already opened. One scripted show (“Matlock”) is showing its pilot film – complete with a brilliant closing twist – three times before Premiere Week.
Other shows, however, arrive in one busy bunch. Here’s a round-up.
WHAT’S NEW
— “Matlock.” Oscar-winner Kathy Bates is a delight as a folksy-seeming lawyer, wedging herself into an upscale firm. Then, at the end of the opener, comes a twist that elevates this. CBS really wants us to see the pilot, airing it Sept. 22, Oct. 8 and Oct. 10; the second episode is 9 p.m., Oct. 17.
— “NCIS: Origins.” It’s 1991 and Gibbs (now played by Austin Stowell) is a newcomer to the NIS (the future NCIS). His wife and daughter were killed and he’s stoic and solemn, probing a dark case. Still, the two-hour opener introduces some colorful colleagues, hinting at good times ahead. 9-11 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, then moving to 10 pm.
— “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.” There’s something special about pairing Georgie (young and perpetually optimistic) with Mandy (11 years older and sometimes world-weary). Along with their baby, they’re living with her parents; the result – like “Young Sheldon,” where this started – mixes likable people and solid humor. 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17.
WHAT’S RETURNING
— Sunday, Oct. 13: “Tracker,” 10 p.m.
— Monday, Oct. 14: “NCIS,” 8 p.m.; a week later, it returns to 9 p.m.
— Tuesday, Oct. 15: The three FBI shows, 8-11 p.m.
— Thursday, Oct. 17: “Ghosts,” 8:30; and “Elsbeth,” 10.
— Friday, Oct. 18: “SWAT,” “Fire Country” and “Blue Bloods,” 8-11 p.m.
ALSO:
— This Sunday (Oct. 13), “Big Brother” has its season-finale, from 9-1l.
— A week later. “Equalizer” has its season-opener at 9:30 p.m., Oct. 20; some Sundays, it will be at 9.
— The next day, two comedies arrive. It will be the season-opener of “The Neighborhood” at 8 p.m. Oct. 21, with the debut of “Poppa’s House” (with Damon Wayans and his son, Damon Jr.) at 8:30.