My Con Adventure

For the first time ever, I headed down to the San Diego ComiCon on Saturday. Though I missed a lot of morning events, I got to experience a lot in a day, and now feel I have the knowledge I need to make the most out of 2 or 3 days of the Con next year. A couple of tidbits that won't really make it into my Movieweb column:

Met Rene Echevarria, showrunner for 'Medium' and Brannon Braga. Somehow I managed to get posters from the NBC booth in the main hall which allowed me to get autographs from them after the TV Guide sponsored panel they both attended. They were both very nice and though I didn't get much time to talk to them, I was able to share that I was a 'spec monkey' (even mentioned to Rene that I am now writing a 'Medium' spec!)

Also met Frank Spotnitz who I interviewed for a couple of minutes -- some of those questions will appear in my article. He was also signing autographs in the main hall, but of course there was NO LINE. Handy tip for meeting writers -- find out where they are signing autographs.

Saw the 'Veronica Mars' panel, which rocked. I do think Rob Thomas has figured out a way to try to lure more viewers to the show. Next season will be split into 3 mysteries with no breaks between episodes for repeats during those blocs (a la the new 'Lost' paradigm, which has learned from 'Prison Break' and '24'). There will also be more focus on the 'mystery of the week' so new viewers don't feel lost if they should happen to tune in.

Did you know that 'Stargate: SG-1' has been on for 10 years?? Quite a fanbase too.

Snakes on a Plane is really gonna be HUGE. I thought so before, now I *know*. They were selling Comicon exclusive t-shirts for $20 and they were FLYING off the shelves. Imagine that, Transformers was giving t-shirts away (and they did run out), but people were paying for the priviledge of advertising Snakes on a Plane. New Line hit the jackpot on that one.

I need to have a stern talking to Disney about their presentations. Most were disappointed that there was no preview of the 3-D 'Nightmare Before Christmas'. Boo-hiss.

Highly recommend going to the Con. If you didn't think it was worth it already, let me emphasize what a learning experience it can be. My column should go up tonight/tomorrow with the rest of my day's experience.

Oh, I also have some exciting developments on the writing front. Nothing I can speak of yet, but keep your fingers crossed for me!

My new column is up!

Hey kids! It's been a busy week, but I do have something to show for it. My new column at Movieweb has gone live. I plan to update every other day for now, until I get a good schedule, then it will be a daily column. Those of you who read the blog regularly will notice me 'cribbing' from my blog posts for the column, but hey, whatever works.

Anyway, working on the rewrite of my pilot this week. I've also started a new treatment for a feature with another writer, and my spec class starts on Wednesday. I'm a busy writer with lots of irons in the fire.

But I promise not to abandon the blog. The redesign has slowed down, but is by no means dead. I beg a little patience.

By the way, I don't care what the critics say, I loved the heck out of 'Pirates' this weekend. What a fun movie! Kudos to Terry and Ted!

Emmy Nominations

There are some pretty egregious omissions - 'Battlestar Galactica's' campaign did not pan out, Hugh Laurie got snubbed for Peter Krause and Martin Sheen, the entire cast of 'Lost' gets snubbed (and the show itself isn't nominated!) All of the 'Desperate Housewives' get ignored this year too -- but whether this is an oversight or not is up for debate. Alfre Woodard, on the other hand, does get a nom for her stint on the show. 'How I Met Your Mother','Everybody Hates Chris' and 'The New Adventures of Old Christine' get overlooked for noms in the comedy category. So much for 'new blood'.

The good things: Gregory Itzin gets a nod for '24' (he's the guy who played the President -- well deserved, in my opinion). Jean Smart got a nomination for her role in '24' also, but I rather expected hers. Chandra Wilson, one of the best parts of 'Grey's Anatomy' gets recognized, and Kyra Sedgwick gets to go head to head with Geena Davis for the Emmy which should be interesting. I pick her as the upset of the night.

No James Gandolfini or Edie Falco. No Omar Epps (which is a crime really) for his supporting role on 'House'.

Now let's talk writing. David Shore won last year for 'House', but he is completely ignored this year. Lost does manage one writing nomination for 'The 23rd Psalm', the episode which details Mr. Eko's backstory (written by showrunners Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof). The ridiculous two part 'Grey's Anatomy' (written by creator Shonda Rhimes) aired after the Super Bowl gets a nomination along with 'Six Feet Under's' last episode, written by Alan Ball and an episode of the 'The Sopranos' written by Terence Winter. Krista Vernoff rounds out the nominations with the Grey's Anatomy episode 'Into You Like a Train.'

Comedy -- 'Entourage' episode 'Exodus' written by Doug Ellin is joined by the last episode of 'Arrested Development' (written by Chuck Tatham and Jim Vallely), the great 'Christmas Party' episode of 'The Office' (written by Michael Schur), the pilot of 'My Name is Earl' (written by Greg Garcia) and the 'Extras' episode featuring Kate Winslet (who is a riot sending up herself) which was written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Again, no 'Desperate Housewives', no 'How I Met Your Mother' -- but we do get 'Two and a Half Men' off the writing nominations (for better or worse, I don't know).

Full nomination list is available at Emmys.tv or the shortened list (without the writing or directing noms) is available at the link below.

More discussion later as I digest the list...feel free to post your comments of who got robbed, who is rightfully recognized.

Link: BREITBART.COM - List of Primetime Emmy Nominations

Thanks!

Great feedback everyone. I had no idea I had established a "brand" here, but I will definitely keep it. I'll also post a link to my new column when it is published -- should start this week (fingers crossed)!

Quick Poll

I'm interested in what to name my new site:

a)shoutingintothewind.com

b)something different -- I think your blog name is stupid

c)shawna-benson.com

d)I have a great idea how about (your idea here).

If I get a lot of D suggestions, maybe I'll run a contest. I'm sure I could come up with some kind of prize...

Feedback of any kind is appreciated.

Not Dead Yet

When did two weeks become an "eternity"? A girl goes off, has a life for a bit (okay, that's a lie) and everyone worries about her. It's nice to know I'm loved. *sniff* The truth is, I've been writing, working, exercising every night and filling every other waking minute with -- I don't know what. I guess I got distracted. I haven't even been watching TV (SHOCK!!)

But, fear not. I have returned, and I will be posting again on a regular basis. Plus, I can finally say I have a new gig. Starting (hopefully) this week, I will be providing a daily column for Movieweb, primarily to help them with their TV coverage. In the future, I hope to launch my podcast over there too, and will probably offer extra minutes here on the blog.

As a result, this blog will be moving off blogspot and to its own domain. I'll be doing the redesign in the next few weeks (once I've finished with contests and fellowship applications). Busy time ahead, but I'm excited!

Hope you all stick with me for the ride. It should be fun.

Quick Writing Update

Working on my new drama pilot script, and I'm having so much fun! I'm hovering near page 30, so I'm about halfway home.

It's a horrible first draft, but that's to be expected.

Working on my 'what to spec' v2.0 for next week. Posting will be light. I'm recovering from upfronts.

Oh and my big news thing fell through. I was supposed to have a podcast on a mid-level entertainment news website, but that seems to have gone the way of the dodo.

May do it on my own anyway. We'll see.

Taylor Hicks - Why He Matters

I've already expressed my undying love for the grey-haired fox with the soulful sound. And I know most of the world could not care less about Taylor winning the title of "American Idol" on a TV show.

But it does matter.

Popular music has been in a rut. If you look at the Billboard Hot 100, you see a lot of hip-hop, a lot of rap, a lot of vapid pop music. Some of it is good, no doubt. Most of it is forgettable. The worst part? Most of the music doesn't have life, energy or...soul.

Enter Taylor. Soul Patrol.



You want to know why he won? Yes, he embraced his fans, shouting out the 'Soul Patrol!' at every opportunity. Yes, he refused to compromise who he was. And yes, he was an underdog, who everyone loves.

Mostly he won, because his music moves. It's also the reason why Elliot Yamin gained in the last few weeks, getting better and better with every performance. If you'd given Elliot two more weeks, he might have won. Taylor has the kind of voice that pierces something deep in our bones, our need to feel. All last week I was playing James Brown's Love, Power, Peace in my car, needing more soul in my life. James Brown, just like Ray Charles, Joe Cocker and several others just make you feel good about yourself and life in general. People need that right now.


Does this signal a sea change in popular music? Probably not, but Taylor does fill a void in the pop culture landscape.

And the void in my heart and in my soul is now refilled. Thanks, Taylor. I needed that.

NBC's NEW new schedule

Monday
8:00 p.m. Deal or No Deal
9:00 p.m. HEROES
10:00 p.m. STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP (new day and time)

Tuesday
8:00 p.m. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
9:00 p.m. Law & Order: Criminal Intent (new day and time)
10:00 p.m. Law & Order: SVU

Wednesday
8:00 p.m. 20 GOOD YEARS (new time)
8:30 p.m. 30 ROCK (new time)
9:00 p.m. The Biggest Loser (new time)
10:00 p.m. KIDNAPPED (new day and time)

Thursday
8:00 p.m. My Name Is Earl
8:30 p.m. The Office
9:00 p.m. Deal or No Deal (new day and time)
10:00 p.m. ER / THE BLACK DONNELLYS

Friday
8:00 p.m. Crossing Jordan (new day and time)
9:00 p.m. Las Vegas
10:00 p.m. Law & Order (new day)

Saturday
8:00 p.m. Dateline
9:00 p.m. Drama Series Encores

Sunday
7:00 p.m. FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA
8:00 p.m. SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL


I can't believe they are moving Law & Order off of Wednesday night. Big mistake, in my opinion.

NBC blinks

NBC is moving Studio 60 to Monday night, moving Deal or No Deal to Thursday at 9. To add to the insanity Medium is now bumped to January premiere and Crossing Jordan is back for the fall on Fridays at 8.

I'll republish the new NBC schedule, but you can get the details now at the link below.


Link: the futon critic - the web's best primetime television resource

Who I Want to Win

SOUL PATROL BABY!!

The big five-oh

I've been closing in on 50,000 site visits today, according to Sitemeter, the first site traffic monitor I used on this page almost two years ago (wow, my blogversary is coming up soon!)

Again, I'm overwhelmed with how much support and encouragement I've received from so many of you through this blog over the last two years. It has provided me with an outlet to vent, to be creative, to report news, and to procrastinate (mostly the latter). I've made some really wonderful friends, most of whom I don't get to see enough, even though they live in the same city I do.

I do still have a big writerly type announcement to make in the coming days, (not screenwriting related, yet, so don't get too excited) once the details get worked out, I'll be giving you all the details.

Keep writing!

Reasons I worry about TV audiences sometimes

...when I get Google searches of "how to get Grey's anatomy tickets".

Kids, why don't you answer that question for our intrepid visitor in the comments?

By the way, I am in no way trying to make fun of people...okay, maybe I am.

2006 Upfronts: The CW Schedule

the futon critic gives us the word on The CW schedule. Biggest news: NO AQUAMAN!! They've picked up the 'Girlfriends' spin off 'The Game' for Sunday nights, 'Runaway' for Monday and 'Hidden Palms' for midseason (formerly called 'Palm Springs'). The schedule:

SUNDAY

7:00-7:30 PM EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS
7:30-8:00 PM ALL OF US
8:00-8:30 PM GIRLFRIENDS
8:30-9:00 PM THE GAME (New Series)
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICAS NEXT TOP MODEL (Encore Presentation)

MONDAY

8:00-9:00 PM 7TH HEAVEN
9:00-10:00 PM RUNAWAY (New Series)

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM GILMORE GIRLS
9:00-10:00 PM VERONICA MARS

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAS NEXT TOP MODEL
9:00-10:00 PM ONE TREE HILL

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 PM SMALLVILLE
9:00-10:00 PM SUPERNATURAL

FRIDAY 8:00-10:00 PM FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN!

Upfronts 2006: Fox Schedule

Mediaweek again for our schedule. Sorry I didn't get any predictions up, but they weren't that good anyway. Fox has released both a fall and January schedule (24, Idol, and King of the Hill are held until midseason)

FALL 2006

Monday
8:00 p.m. Prison Break
9:00 p.m. VANISHED

Tuesday
8:00 p.m. STANDOFF
9:00 p.m. House

Wednesday
8:00 p.m. Bones
9:00 p.m. JUSTICE

Thursday
8:00 p.m. ‘TIL DEATH
8:30 p.m. HAPPY HOUR
9:00 p.m. The O.C.

Friday
8:00 p.m. Nanny 911 (new day)
9:00 p.m. Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy

Saturday
8:00 p.m. Cops
9:00 p.m. AmericaÂ’s Most Wanted

Sunday
7:00 p.m. Football Overrun/Comedy repeats
7:30 p.m. Football Overrun/Comedy repeats
8:00 p.m. The Simpsons
8:30 p.m. American Dad (new time)
9:00 p.m. Family Guy
9:30 p.m. The War at Home (new time)

----------

JANUARY 2007

Monday
8:00 p.m. STANDOFF (new day)
9:00 p.m. 24

Tuesday
8:00 p.m. American Idol
9:00 p.m. House

Wednesday
8:00 p.m. JUSTICE (new time)
9:00 p.m. American Idol
9:30 p.m. The Loop

Thursday
8:00 p.m. ‘TIL DEATH
8:30 p.m. HAPPY HOUR
9:00 p.m. The O.C.

Friday
8:00 p.m. Bones (new day)
9:00 p.m. THE WEDDING ALBUM

Saturday
8:00 p.m. Cops
9:00 p.m. AmericaÂ’s Most Wanted

Sunday
7:00 p.m. Comedy repeats
7:30 p.m. King of the Hill
8:00 p.m. The Simpsons
8:30 p.m. American Dad
9:00 p.m. Family Guy
9:30 p.m. The War at Home

'Primary' has been renamed 'Standoff' and the Bruckheimer show 'American Crime' has been renamed 'Justice'.

Can't say I feel strongly about this schedule one way or another. I rather expected to see 'Vanished' paired with 'Prison Break' and 'Standoff' paired with 'Bones', since each new show has similiarities to their new partner.

CW up next.

CW news

In an effort to sabotage my predictions before I've even posted them, the CW has already tipped its hand regarding the shows it is picking up. Here's the list so far:

From the WB:

• 7th Heaven
  
• Gilmore Girls
  
• Smallville
  
• Beauty and the Geek
  
• Supernatural
  
• One Tree Hill (!?!)

Off the list: 'Everwood', 'Reba' and all the shows I already had listed as waiting for the axe (see the Watch List).

From UPN:

• All of Us
  
• Girlfriends
  
• Veronica Mars (!!!)
  
• WWE Smackdown
  
• America's Next Top Model
  
• Everybody Hates Chris

Watch List has been updated. I'm redoing my chart. Again.

Link: the futon critic - CW News

The Watch List

UPDATED 5/17 with renewals/cancellations.

Cancelled (new) shows:

• Head Cases (Fox)
  
• Sex, Lies and Secrets (UPN)
  
• Inconceivable (NBC)
  
• Just Legal (WB)
  
• Kitchen Confidential (Fox)
  
• The Night Stalker (ABC)
  
• Threshold (CBS)
  
• Reunion (Fox)
  
• Hot Properties (ABC)
  
• Killer Instinct (Fox)
  
• Emily's Reasons Why Not (ABC)
  
• Book of Daniel (NBC)
  
• Love Monkey (CBS)
  
• Four Kings (NBC)
  
• Heist (NBC)
  
• Commander in Chief (ABC) (cancelled 5/16)
  
• Sons & Daughters (ABC) (cancelled 5/12)
  
• Invasion (ABC) (cancelled 5/13)
  
• Conviction (NBC) (cancelled 5/13)
  
• Teachers (NBC) (cancelled 5/14)
  
• Freddie (ABC) (cancelled 5/14)
  
• E-Ring (NBC) (cancelled 5/15)
  
• Surface (NBC) (cancelled 5/15)
  
• Courting Alex (CBS) (cancelled 5/15)
  
• Out of Practice (CBS) (cancelled 5/15)
  
• In Justice (ABC) (cancelled 5/16)
  
• Crumbs (ABC) (cancelled 5/16)
  
• The Evidence (ABC) (cancelled 5/16)
  
• Twins (WB) (cancelled 5/17)
  
• Related (WB) (cancelled 5/17)
  
• South Beach (UPN) (cancelled 5/17)
  
• Modern Men (WB) (cancelled 5/17)
  
• The Bedford Diaries (WB) (cancelled 5/17)
  
• Pepper Dennis (WB) (cancelled 5/17)
  
• Love, Inc (UPN) (cancelled 5/17)
  
• Free Ride (FOX) (cancelled 5/18)
  

Shows likely to be axed:

• Thief (FX)
  

On the Fence:

• Windfall (NBC) (cancelled)
  
• Saved (TNT) (picked up for 2nd season)
  
• Blade: The Series (Spike TV) (cancelled)
  
• Psych (USA) (picked up for 2nd season)
  
• Brotherhood (Showtime) (picked up for 2nd season)
  
• Misconception (WB) (cancelled, never aired)
  

Likely pickups:

none at this time.

Ordered full season:

• Prison Break (Fox) (renewed for next season)
  
• My Name is Earl (NBC) (renewed for next season)
  
• Bones (Fox) (renewed for next season)
  
• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) (renewed for next season)
  
• Criminal Minds (CBS) (renewed for next season)
  
• The Ghost Whisperer (CBS) (renewed for next season)
  
• Weeds (Showtime) (renewed for next season)
  
• Sleeper Cell (Showtime) (renewed for next season)
  
• Rome (HBO) (renewed for next season)
  
• Big Love (HBO) (renewed for next season)
  
• What About Brian (ABC) (renewed for next season)
  
• The Loop (FOX)(renewed for next season)
  
• The War at Home (Fox) (renewed for next season)
  
• The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) (renewed for next season)
  
• Close to Home (CBS) (renewed for next season)
  
• The Unit (CBS) (renewed for next season)
  
• Supernatural (WB) (renewed for next season on CW)
  
• Everybody Hates Chris (UPN) (renewed for next season on CW)
  

Existing Shows probably in their last year:

• Arrested Development (Fox) (cancelled)
  
• Will & Grace (NBC) (cancelled)
  
• Alias (ABC) (cancelled)
  
• The West Wing (NBC) (cancelled)
  
• Over There (FX) (cancelled)
  
• Malcom in the Middle (Fox) (cancelled)
  
• That 70's Show (Fox) (cancelled)
  
• Yes, Dear (CBS) (cancelled)
  
• Charmed (WB) (cancelled)
  
• What I Like About You (WB) (cancelled)
  
• Wanted (TNT) (cancelled)
  
• Hope & Faith (ABC) (cancelled)
  
• Jake in Progress (ABC) (cancelled)
  
• Joey (NBC) (cancelled)
  
• Rodney (ABC) (cancelled)
  
• Less than Perfect (ABC) (cancelled)
  
• Still Standing (CBS) (cancelled)
  
• Blue Collar TV (WB) (cancelled)
  
• Living with Fran (WB) (cancelled)
  
• Cuts (UPN) (cancelled)
  
• Half and Half (UPN) (cancelled)
  
• One on One (UPN) (cancelled)
  
• Everwood (WB) (cancelled)
  
• Reba (WB) (saved! coming back on CW midseason)
  
• Stacked (Fox) (cancelled)
  
• The Bernie Mac Show (Fox) (cancelled)
  

Why your favorite show got cancelled

There are many reasons a show gets axed. Just looking at some of the google searches leading people here, some of you are looking for reasons why. Why did [show name here] get cancelled? It isn't fair! It was a good show!

Possible reasons:

The ratings just weren't cutting it. This is the most likely reason. Sure, your show might have averaged 6 million viewers, but if the competition is pulling 16 million, your show isn't competitive. They may have even tried it on different nights, just to see if the ratings would improve. When CBS moved 'Close to Home' to Sunday night, not only did the show's ratings go up, it did better than the show which was previously in the timeslot, 'Threshold'. If the show goes on to hold its own against the other shows on at that time, it's a winner. If not...

The show lost steam. This could be creatively or again, ratings. Some shows start of small but over time build a following. If the show never builds, it is less likely to find a home. If it isn't gaining viewers week after week, then the show isn't being talked about, you aren't capturing any new viewers and the chances of getting new viewers in a second season are slim. Creatively a show could take a nosedive too. 'Commander in Chief' changed directions twice under new showrunners and most felt that the quality of the show suffered, leading to its demise. Unfortunately, 'Commander in Chief' also dropped because of another reason.

The network didn't know how to promote the show. They scheduled it wrong. The promotion was bad. They kept moving it around. Yes, the network can be to blame for a show's failure just as much (sometimes even moreso) than the show itself. They may try to get an audience boost by moving it to different time slots, trying to find a good hole to fill, but if the show gets moved too much, people won't be able to find it, particularly the audience that don't make the show appointment viewing, but still tune in when it is on, just because there's nothing else to watch. You lose those people, your show is doomed.

The show was too expensive. This happens to older shows. Strangely enough, this was one of the reasons '7th Heaven' was cancelled, but rumor has it that the network got an infusion of cash to pay for another year of it, though the cost had gone up quite a lot. When a show is on the air for several seasons, the price of production goes up (hey, when things go well for you, you get a salary increase...right?) Look at 'Friends'. If that show had really dropped off in viewership the last two years, they might not have renewed it. It was ungodly expensive to produce, but it kept getting good ratings, right to the end, and the syndication dollars on the show were golden.

I know a lot of you are upset about 'Invasion' and 'Surface' being cancelled. The problem with those shows was that they didn't ever break out of their genre appeal. Each had hardcore loyal audiences, but they never expanded. It doesn't matter how good a show gets (and these types of shows tend to get better as they find their footing), if it can't find a mainstream audience, like 'Lost' did, it will never be a hit for a network. Dramas also don't repeat well. Very rarely does a drama show pull good numbers with reruns, unless it is a hit show. The good news, is that with the changes coming with online distribution, it may not matter quite as much. If a network can find additional revenue streams for a show (read: paid downloads), they may not care about things like repeatability. You can be sure that the nets will keep a very close eye on which shows have high download rates. If a small hardcore audience is spending a lot of money on a show, it could justify its existence.

The future will be very interesting in this regard, as the rules are starting to change. You may find your next favorite show is only meant to run for one or two years, and if you purchase them on DVD, you could be funding the next great genre or niche show. Just as with everything else in the world, 'It's all about the Benjamins'.

Oh, I did leave out one last reason a show gets cancelled...they just don't like you.

2006 Upfronts: CBS Schedule

Using Mediaweek as our source again today. CBS did make some changes, most notably moving 'Without a Trace' and 'The Amazing Race' to Sunday night. I got Monday right and the midseason shows (although, turns out 'Waterfront' is being saved for midseason too).

Here's the CBS schedule:

Monday
8:00 p.m. How I Met Your Mother (new time)
8:30 p.m. *THE CLASS
9:00 p.m. Two and a Half Men
9:30 p.m. The New Adventures of Old Christine
10:00 p.m. CSI: Miami

Tuesday
8:00 p.m. NCIS
9:00 p.m. The Unit
10:00 p.m. *SMITH

Wednesday
8:00 p.m. *JERICHO
9:00 p.m. Criminal Minds
10:00 p.m. CSI: NY

Thursday
8:00 p.m. Survivor
9:00 p.m. CSI
10:00 p.m. *SHARK

Friday
8:00 p.m. Ghost Whisperer
9:00 p.m. Close To Home
10:00 p.m. Numb3rs

Saturday
8:00 p.m. Crimetime Saturday
9:00 p.m. Crimetime Saturday
10:00 p.m. 48 Hours Mystery

Sunday
7:00 p.m. 60 Minutes
8:00 p.m. The Amazing Race (new day)
9:00 p.m. Cold Case (new time)
10:00 p.m. Without A Trace (new day)

By the way, the previously Untitled show is now called 'Three Pounds'. Have you noticed how many shows this year have numbers in their titles?

• Three Pounds
  
• Six Degrees
  
• 30 Rock
  
• Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
  
• The Nine
  

Weird. Later today, I'll post my oh-so-accurate predictions for Fox and CW, both of whom reveal their skeds tomorrow.

2006 Upfronts: CBS Predictions

Thank goodness, finally some stability. CBS had a great season and ended up renewing 17 of their shows. Still, they are adding some new stuff, so let's see what they are adding and where it might go into the schedule.

• Jericho
  
• Shark (my favorite!)
  
• Smith
  
• Waterfront
  
• Untitled Peter Ocko Drama
  
• The Class (half hour)
  
• Rules of Engagement (half hour)

Short list. Let's go to the schedule:

Sunday

60 Minutes and Cold Case will stay at 7 and 8 PM. Right now CBS airs a Sunday night movie, but I think that will get put off until midseason while they test a couple of new dramas. 'Smith' and 'Shark' would be great Sunday night shows. 'Smith' is a crime show which could do well opposite the current 9 PM competition and 'Shark' is a legal show, with a 'House'-like lead character, a star defense lawyer who gets hired to be a D.A. James Woods will really get a chance to chew scenery and I can't wait for this show. If CBS loves me, they'll program 'Shark' at 10 PM so I don't have to watch 'Brothers & Sisters'.

Monday

'King of Queens' is renewed, but will be held until midseason, due to Kevin James' film schedule. I'd expect 'How I Met Your Mother' to bump to 8 PM with new comedy 'The Class' following behind. 'Two and Half Men' and 'The Adventures of New Christine' look solid at 9 and 9:30. CSI: Miami does well at 10, so there it stays.

Tuesday

CBS has a strong Tuesday night with NCIS and The Unit at 8 and 9 PM. 'Jericho' feels like a 10 PM show, so I'll put it in here, though I wouldn't be surprised if they put 'Smith' in here just to mess with me.

Wednesday

I wonder if 'The Amazing Race' will get rested for midseason, but I suspect not, since it pulls decent ratings. If it does get rested, 'Waterfront' seems like a possible 8 PM show. 'Criminal Minds' and 'CSI: NY' are solid at 9 and 10 PM.

Thursday

CBS would be stupid to change a winning formula, so this night goes unchanged -- 'Survivor', 'CSI' and 'Without a Trace' stay in their spots.

Friday

CBS wins Fridays with 'Ghost Whisperer', 'Close to Home' and 'Numb3rs'. It goes unchanged.

Saturday

Welcome to repeat central, plus the '48 Hour Mystery' at 10 PM.

So, the 'Untitled Peter Ocko' hour (about a brilliant surgeon and his student) and 'Rules of Engagement' would be saved for midseason in my chart. Let's hope CBS and their very stable schedule provide me with more accurate predictions. If not, I give up.