Pavan
07-03-2003, 12:19 AM
"Becker" is back on CBS' fall schedule, while "The Stones" are rolling to a midseason launch.
CBS confirmed Wednesday that it will give the returning Ted Danson sitcom "Becker" the Wednesday 9:30 p.m. slot in the fall. "The Stones" had previously been slated to air in that time period behind "The King of Queens," which is making its own move next season from Monday 8 p.m. to Wednesday 9 p.m.
CBS entertainment president Nancy Tellem said the shift was made to bolster CBS' effort to shift gears into comedies on Wednesday -- the Wednesday 9-10 p.m. hour has been home to newsmagazine "60 Minutes II" in recent seasons -- by launching the season with two established sitcoms.
"By pairing 'Becker' with 'The King of Queens,' we are opening a new comedy block on Wednesday with two proven and successful series," Tellem said. "By saving 'The Stones' for midseason, we will be able to devote much more of CBS' promotional resources to its launch than we could have in the fall. This is a smart, funny series from a great producing team, and we want to do everything possible to ensure its successful launch."
Moreover, "Becker" will ensure that CBS' new Wednesday 10 p.m. drama from David E. Kelley, "The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H.," will have an established show as its lead-in.
"Becker" faced an uphill climb last season when it moved from its longtime Monday 9:30 p.m. slot to Sunday 8 p.m. The series, starring Danson as an irascible inner-city doctor, had not been renewed for a sixth season at the time CBS unveiled its 2003-04 season schedule in May, but the network gave it a 13-episode pickup last month.
"The Stones" stars Jay Baruchel and Lindsay Sloane as a brother and sister who are still living in their childhood home with their parents and Judith Light), who are in the process of divorcing but are still on good terms.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
CBS confirmed Wednesday that it will give the returning Ted Danson sitcom "Becker" the Wednesday 9:30 p.m. slot in the fall. "The Stones" had previously been slated to air in that time period behind "The King of Queens," which is making its own move next season from Monday 8 p.m. to Wednesday 9 p.m.
CBS entertainment president Nancy Tellem said the shift was made to bolster CBS' effort to shift gears into comedies on Wednesday -- the Wednesday 9-10 p.m. hour has been home to newsmagazine "60 Minutes II" in recent seasons -- by launching the season with two established sitcoms.
"By pairing 'Becker' with 'The King of Queens,' we are opening a new comedy block on Wednesday with two proven and successful series," Tellem said. "By saving 'The Stones' for midseason, we will be able to devote much more of CBS' promotional resources to its launch than we could have in the fall. This is a smart, funny series from a great producing team, and we want to do everything possible to ensure its successful launch."
Moreover, "Becker" will ensure that CBS' new Wednesday 10 p.m. drama from David E. Kelley, "The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H.," will have an established show as its lead-in.
"Becker" faced an uphill climb last season when it moved from its longtime Monday 9:30 p.m. slot to Sunday 8 p.m. The series, starring Danson as an irascible inner-city doctor, had not been renewed for a sixth season at the time CBS unveiled its 2003-04 season schedule in May, but the network gave it a 13-episode pickup last month.
"The Stones" stars Jay Baruchel and Lindsay Sloane as a brother and sister who are still living in their childhood home with their parents and Judith Light), who are in the process of divorcing but are still on good terms.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter