CBS Announces Full Fall Schedule

CBS today unveiled its Fall 2004 television schedule, announcing not only the final timeslot of CSI: New York, but also the creation of a fourth CSI night - sort of.

Starting next year, fans will be able to tune in each Wednesday at 10:00pm to follow the adventures of Gary Sinise as Detective Mack 'Mac' Taylor, and Melina Kanakaredes as Taylor's partner Stella Bonasera on CSI: New York. The show had previously been rumoured to be headed for the CSI: Miami timeslot on Monday, but CBS apparently has enough confidence in the show to let it take on the original Law & Order on NBC. Other competition for CSI: New York will include the new ABC show Wife Swap.

CSI: Miami and the original CSI will stay put on Monday and Thursday, respectively. In addition, viewers will get another chance to watch CSI on Saturday at 10:00pm, during CBS's new Crime Time Saturday block, which will feature repeats from shows such as CSI, Cold Case and Without a Trace. Over the past years viewers have deserted the broadcast networks on Saturday nights, forcing the networks to find cheaper ways to fill the evening, such as airing movies, reality shows or repeats.. "It's like dumb to lose Saturday night," CBS chairman Leslie Moonves explained to AP. "We kept saying, `We're the only ones putting on original programming.' Obviously, America didn't respond the way we wanted them to."

In addition to CSI: New York, CBS announced four other new shows for next year. First up is the Monday night comedy Listen Up, in which former Seinfeld star Jason Alexander plays a fictionalised version of real-life sports commentator and columnist Tony Kornheiser. Airing on Tuesdays is the drama Clubhouse, dealing with a 16-year-old boy who joins a professional baseball team. On Wednesday, right before CSI: New York, viewers will be able to see John Goodman in Center of the Universe, a comedy about a man whose wacky family keeps showing up at his doorstep, bringing along trouble and hilarity. Finally, Rob Lowe headlines the Friday night drama Dr. Vegas, a drama about an ER doctor who becomes the in-house doctor at a luxurious Vegas casino. There is as yet no word on whether CBS will exploit this potential cross-over goldmine with the original CSI.

In order to make room for these new shows, CBS announced the cancellation of several low-rated current shows. Gone from next year's schedule will be the long-running The District and The Guardian, while Hack and Century City will also not be returning. Finally, the new sitcom The Stones has been cancelled.

CBS's full 2004 Fall schedule announcement can be found here at the Futon Critic. In addition, the Futon Critic has information on the specials CBS is planning for next season, and its made-for-TV movies and mini-series.

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