Dec 2009
TV Bulletin Board (Mon., Dec. 21) -- Three Rivers runs dry, replaced by reality hour
12/21/09 09:58
By ED BARK
CBS has announced its post-Super Bowl attraction -- and its replacement for the struggling Sunday night hospital drama, Three Rivers.
It's Undercover Boss, to be launched after the network's Sunday, Feb. 7th telecast of Super Bowl XLIV. The one-hour reality series -- executives clandestinely leave "the comfort of their corner office" to mingle with commoners -- then will move to Sundays at 8 p.m. (central) on Feb. 14th.
Also returning on that date is the 16th edition of The Amazing Race, which will precede Undercover Boss at 7 p.m. Cold Case moves back to Sundays at 9 p.m.
In limited mid-season tinkering, CBS also announced that the 20th edition of Survivor will be a "Heroes Vs. Villains" affair set to premiere on Thursday, Feb. 11th. It'll be a gathering of good and bad from previous Survivors, with the principals to be named later.
Survivor host Jeff Probst also will be presiding over a one-hour Live For the Moment special on Thursday, Jan. 28th. CBS says that Probst will escort "someone on a series of adventures and experiences that create special life moments with their family and friends." That person then shares his or her "inspiring insights."
***NBC will throw another unscripted hour on the grill with Perfect 10, emceed by Guy Fieri of Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives fame.
The Peacock has ordered eight episodes of the "family friendly" game show, in which contestants will compete in a "series of simple, yet nerve-wracking games that can reward them a $1 million prize." There's no air date yet.
****Let me make this crystal clear. Comedy Central's The Daily Show and The Colbert Report at last will be going to high-definition on Monday, Jan. 4th. The network promises "crisp picture quality."
TV Bulletin Board (Thurs., Dec. 10) -- Dallas-made The Deep End gets January berth
12/10/09 15:20
By ED BARK
Mostly filmed in Dallas -- but set in L.A. -- ABC's The Deep End will premiere on Thursday, Jan. 21st at 7 p.m. (central) opposite the latest new edition of CBS' Survivor.
That seems a little early for an adult legal drama, even though the very complex FlashForward previously occupied that spot before going on hiatus until March.
Deep End's most familiar face is Billy Zane (Titanic, The Phantom) as veteran two-timing lawyer Cliff Huddle. ABC press materials say he's bedding the firm's paralegal while still married to fellow attorney Susan Oppenheim (Nicole Ari Parker).
Also starring are Matt Long (Jack and Bobby), Leah Pipes (Sorority Row), Ben Lawson (Neighbours), Tina Majorino (Big Love) and Mehcad Brooks (True Blood).
Their characters, described by ABC as "eager and attractive law associates," are all thrust into the cutthroat Sterling law firm, where "they must fight for themselves and their clients to stay afloat in these shark-infested waters."
OK, we get it.
TV Bulletin Board (Tues., Dec. 1) -- end date for Charles Gibson on ABC's World News
12/01/09 16:33
By ED BARK
ABC News has announced the date of the final World News edition anchored by Charles Gibson.
It'll be Dec. 18th, with Diane Sawyer set to leave Good Morning America and succeed Gibson on a still unannounced date in January.
ABC disclosed Gibson's surprise decision to step down in an early September announcement. Jon Banner, executive producer of World News, said on his "World Newser" blog that "we're going to spend a good deal of time during his final week on the air looking back at the stories Charlie covered, hearing again from some of the remarkable people he interviewed, and paying tribute to our friend and colleague, and the enormous contribution he has made to ABC News over the last three decades."
Enough said for now.
***Also on the ABC front, Oprah Winfrey will interview President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during her Christmas at the White House special, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 13th.
Winfrey, who very publicly endorsed Obama's presidential candidacy, also will "showcase behind-the-scenes preparations as the White House gets ready for the holiday season," a publicity release says.
***Mark your calendars and arrange your clothing in neat rows. The season finale of USA's Monk is coming on Friday, Dec. 4th at 8 p.m. (central).
Monk has run for eight seasons, with star Tony Shalhoub picking up three acting Emmys as "defective detective" Adrian Monk.