Let's Be "Upfront" About This: Which Network Has The Best Fall Lineup?

[Sal]

To help you answer the question that I posed above, here's what the full 2005-06 Fall lineup will look like:

http://www.falltvpreview.com/schedules.php

Plus there is also this detailed list which features a description of every one of the new series:

http://www.falltvpreview.com/showlist.php

For the first time in many years, there isn't one new sitcom out there that I can point at and say that it will be a huge hit in the same way that shows like "Seinfeld" and "Friends" were, for example. The best that any of the networks can hope for is another "Joey", which may or may not be good depending on your tastes. There could be a few hits, but nothing that stands out---at least not yet. The best way to handle this would be to look at the shows night by night, and here's what I see:


SUNDAY --- The strongest and possibly the most competitive night of the week as each of the 4 main networks get serious with some of their better offerings. The first half of the night is anyone's for the taking but after 9 it's ABC by a mile, easily outdistancing FOX's "Animation Abomination" and any other serious challengers.

Battle To Watch: The Simpsons vs The West Wing

MONDAY --- Once football season ends, CBS should reclaim its usual position at the top on Monday nights, which it has owned since the beginning of time. The heavy pressure will be on "Two and a Half Men" to see if it lives up to its billing as the heir apparent to "Everybody Loves Raymond" as CBS's next great sitcom. I'm guessing that they can do it, with "Las Vegas" on NBC as its only serious competition. At 9:30, CBS has the one new sitcom that I'll be looking forward to seeing the most, called "Out Of Practice", which features The Fonz from "Happy Days" (Henry Winkler) being married to Rizzo from "Grease" (Stockard Channing),---and they're both doctors!! How cool is that? Give CBS one big thumb up for coming up with that idea!

Battle To Watch: King Of Queens vs Arrested Development

TUESDAY --- No "Scrubs", no dice for NBC. "The Biggest Loser" isn't just the name of the series that the network will use to kick off the night, it might also apply to the network itself. ABC has used the opportunity to fill the first hour with sitcoms, like NBC used to do with "Frasier", but, ultimately, for the second night in a row, I'm calling CBS to come out on top. "NCIS" and "The Amazing Race" look strong enough to withstand anything that can be matched against them.

Battle To Watch: Boston Legal vs Law & Order: SVU

WEDNESDAY --- The biggest night of the week for sitcoms, as 5 of them, ranging from average to terrible, battle for ratings supremacy in the first hour. "That 70s Show", without Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher, is expected to be affected the most and is likely looking at its last season. "Lost" should easily take the 9 o'clock slot, followed by a real dogfight at 10 between "Law & Order" and "CSI:NY".

Battle To Watch: Law & Order vs CSI:NY

THURSDAY --- The former home of "Must See TV" is now looking shaky at best and, for the first time in more than 20 years, this night will no longer be ruled by NBC. Last year, "Joey" started out strong but faded badly after Christmas. That leaves the field wide open for "Survivor" or even "Alias" to outlast and outwit NBC. "Will & Grace" might be able to reclaim some lost viewers from "Joey", but, after that, flip a coin.

Battle To Watch: CSI vs The Apprentice

FRIDAY --- This one's tough to call. The ratings needn't be too high to win the night so anyone can come out ahead. I'm guessing the winners will be FOX from 8-9, ABC from 9-10, and CBS from 10-11.

SATURDAY --- Not much to get excited about at all. I'll be watching hockey if it ever comes back. For the rest of you, if you have to watch something, rent a DVD. I recommend anything with Jim Carrey or Season 1 of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" or any series that I have listed in my signature. You can thank me later.



MY TENTATIVE FALL VIEWING SCHEDULE

Sunday

8:00 The Simpsons
9:00 Desperate Housewives

Monday

8:30 How I Met Your Mother
9:00 Two & A Half Men
9:30 Out Of Practice

Tuesday

9:00 Commander In Chief

Wednesday

8:00 Still Standing

Thursday

8:00 Joey
8:30 Will & Grace

Friday

8:00 Ghost Whisperer
8:30 Malcolm In The Middle
9:00 Hope & Faith

Saturday

7:00 Hockey Night In Canada (Knock on wood!)

[dawsongirl]

CBS

[Wings#1ShowPeriod]

CBS, but I like what FOX is doing...

[Superstar]

WB, its the only network with more than 1 show I watch.

[gOoSe]

i guess CBS .. even though i have no reason to watch expect for 'Survivor' lol

I wish ABC would have brought in better shows...lol