Tag Archives: CBS

Fall TV updates: ‘Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ picked up for full season, ‘We Are Men’ cancelled

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After axing one Tuesday drama in Lucky 7, ABC has commissioned a full season order for their hugely successful superhero drama Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. In typical fashion, the alphabet network is tacking on “the back nine” increasing S.H.I.E.L.D.’s season one episode count from 13 to 22. Joss Whedon’s latest foray into television premiered to a whopping 12.1 million total viewers and a 4.7 rating in the 18-49 demo making the S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot TV’s highest-rated drama debut in almost four years. Though the show slipped in the ratings in week 2, numbers still remain solid and it sees significant DVR gains; in short, Whedon has finally concocted a TV show that will likely remain on the air for years to come (Buffy & Angel join good company).

Over at CBS We Are Men, the comedy starring Jerry O’Connell, Tony Shalhoub, Christopher Nicholas Smith, and Kal Penn, has been cancelled after only two episodes aired. It premiered poorly to 6.4 million total viewers and a 2.0 18-49 demo rating; things went from bad to worse in week 2 when those numbers dropped majorly to 5.4 million and a 1.8, respectively. These ratings simply don’t live up to the Eye’s sitcom standards and so We Are Men is gone for good. Starting next week, Monday’s 2 Broke Girls moves from 9PM to take over Men‘s 8:30PM slot; repeats of The Big Bang Theory will air at 9PM for three weeks and then Mike & Molly comes off the bench to take over the vacant time slot.

FOX is showing support for its new sitcoms by ordering more scripts for a couple of them. As previously reported, the network ordered an undisclosed amount of additional scripts for Brooklyn Nine-Nine and now the same is being done for Seth MacFarlane’s Dads. FOX ordered 6 more scripts for the Seth Green/Giovanni Ribisi comedy, even as its most recent episode amounted to a paltry 1.3 demo rating and 3.1 million total viewers. Though to be fair, FOX’s Tuesday night comedy lineup isn’t performing so well ratings-wise in general. We’ll see where this goes.

In sum, ABC’s Lucky 7 and CBS’ We Are Men are the first two cancellations of the 2013-14 TV season; NBC’s The Blacklist and ABC‘s Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. are the first to get full season orders, and FOX’s Sleepy Hollow is the first to be renewed for a second season. The fate of FOX’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Dads hang in the balance leaning towards getting the back nine since additional scripts have been ordered for each.

2013 Fall TV Schedule: CBS

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Not including Survivor (returning Wednesday, September 18 at 8), almost every show on CBS will start on premiere week. On Monday, September 23 buzzy drama Hostages headlined by Dylan McDermott and Toni Collette premieres along with Chuck Lorre’s latest sitcom Moms, 2 Broke Girls, and How I Met Your Mother (the final season kicks off with a one-hour premiere). Person of Interest gets comfortable in its new timeslot on Tuesday the 24th at 10PM following the NCIS‘. On Thursday the 26th buzzy new comedy The Crazy Ones with Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar is bolstered by two new back-to-back episodes of The Big Bang Theory; Two and a Half Men and Elementary enter the fold that night as well. Hawaii Five-0 airs on Fridays this season starting Sept. the 27th and on Sunday the 29th The Amazing Race, The Good Wife, and The Mentalist return. New sitcoms We Are Men starring Tony Shalhoub, Kal Penn, and Jerry O’Connell and The Millers starring Will Arnett and Margo Martindale come to the sked Monday, September 30 and Thursday, October 3, respectively. Sci-fi action drama Intelligence with Josh Holloway and Marg Helgenberger is being held until Monday, February 24 when it will replace Hostages in the 10PM slot.

Click here to preview the new shows. Browse the gallery below for key art.

Jump after the break to view the full fall schedule.

Continue reading 2013 Fall TV Schedule: CBS →

CBS renews ‘Under The Dome’ for a second season

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Under The Dome is coming back for a 13-episode second season and Stephen King, the author whose 2009 novel the CBS drama series is based, will pen the premiere episode when it returns in Summer 2014.

CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler on the renewal: “We’re excited to tell more stories about the mystery of the dome and the secrets in Chester’s Mill, and are thrilled to have the master storyteller himself, Stephen King, tell the first one of next season.”

In all, 17.8 million total viewers tuned into the series premiere in June and the show also proved its worth in the adults 18-49 demo landing a 4.6 rating. Though those numbers have dropped since, they still remain elevated at a level strong enough to warrant a second season; the most recent episode attracted a sizable audience with 11.4 million viewers and a 2.8 rating in the coveted demo. The show is performing solidly internationally and on Amazon where CBS has an exclusive deal enabling Instant Video subscribers to stream episodes four days after they air. In fact, Dome is the most watched series ever on Amazon’s streaming service.

All in all, Under the Dome is proving to be great summer fare and it’s showing the other networks that scripted TV can work outside the traditional September-to-May window. (FOX enters the fray next summer with new drama Gang Related and the return of 24.) The show’s got some kinks to work out (the character Angie, for example, drives me up a wall with her terrible decisions…and what exactly are Junior’s motives?) and the pacing and character development need to be accelerated. But the overall mystery of the dome and the secrets being spilled inside it have me intrigued enough to want to see more. I gladly accept a series renewal.

Under The Dome airs Mondays at 10 on CBS.

Comic Con: ‘Person of Interest’ hits close to home with Machine/Prism comparisons

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This year’s Person of Interest panel at Comic Con wasn’t as revealing as the last one, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t just as fun. The panel kicked off with a video that proves how on the nose this crime procedural/serial hybrid truly is. The Machine from POI is juxtaposed with the real-life government surveillance system known as Prism. It’s actually scary how close to home this series hits. In addition to Prism comparisons, the clip contains a couple never-before-scenes; one featuring a young Finch (so that is his real name?) speaking with his father played by Bruce Greenwood and the other starring Root in the mental institution where we left her.

Speaking of Root, her portrayer Amy Acker is sticking around for season 3 as she’s been promoted to series regular along with Sarah Shahi who plays Agent Shaw.

After watching the video, jump after the break to view a new POI poster made exclusively for the Con. Continue reading Comic Con: ‘Person of Interest’ hits close to home with Machine/Prism comparisons →

TV reminder: ‘Under the Dome’ premieres Monday, June 24 at 10PM on CBS (extended trailer inside) [Update: big ratings]

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It’s finally here: a series premiering on network TV over the summer that is worth watching.

From executive producer Steven Spielberg and showrunner Brian K. Vaughan (Lost) comes Under the Dome, a series based the 2009 Stephen King novel that is the story of a small New England town named Chester’s Mill that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. The town’s residents need to survive the deteriorating post-apocalyptic conditions while searching for answers to what this barrier is, where it came from, and how to make it go away.

Under the Dome stars Mike Vogel (Bates Motel), Rachelle Lefevre, Dean Norris (Breaking Bad), Natalie Martinez, Britt Robertson (The Secret Circle), Alexander Koch, Colin Ford, Nicholas Strong, Jolene Purdy, and Aisha Hinds. And for you Lost fans, you’ll spot Frank Lapidus himself, Jeff Fahey, too.

Though CBS is touting it as a “mini-series event,” Vaughn and his creative team envision the story expanding to multiple seasons if ratings allow for it.

Is the dome an act of terror or an act of God? The mystery unravels starting Monday night at 10PM on CBS. Jump after the break to watch a new extended trailer hyping Under the Dome. And don’t forget to take in the touching key art posted above of a boy separated from his dog.

Update (6/25): You wouldn’t think we were in network TV off-season if you looked at the big numbers CBS’ Under the Dome took in last night. Check it: 13.1 million viewers tuned into the buzzy Stephen King adaptation and it scored a solid 3.2/9 rating in the 18-49 demo. It’s the most watched summer debut on network TV since NBC premiered The Singing Bee in 2007 and CBS’ most watched summer series premiere since Big Brother in 2000. In the coveted 18-49 demo, it ranks as CBS’ highest rated summer debut since some show called Fire Me…Please circa 2005. And get this: Under the Dome goes head-to-head with some of last season’s most popular dramas that premiered in the fall and midseason; it ties Fox’s The Following as the second-highest-rated drama premiere of the 2012-13 season behind NBC’s Revolution. I predict a ratings climb next week; but even if the numbers were to remain steady here, it won’t be long before the Eye announces a second season. As it stands, the Dome is a bonafide hit. Continue reading TV reminder: ‘Under the Dome’ premieres Monday, June 24 at 10PM on CBS (extended trailer inside) [Update: big ratings] →

2013 Upfronts: CBS orders 8 new series for next season

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On Wednesday CBS was the last of the big four networks to present their 2013-15 TV season offerings at the 2013 Upfronts, unveiling 11 new series coming to the the Eye network: five comedies and three dramas. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, clips, and initial reactions.

Significant changes to the schedule include: Hawaii Five-0 steps out of Mondays at 10 to make room for new dramas Hostages and Intelligence–the former (which will air 15 episodes total) will premiere in the fall and the latter will take over in February; Five-0 moves to Fridays at 9 where it will be sandwiched between Undercover Boss and Blue Bloods… Person of Interest leaves its Thursday post to join the NCIS franchise on Tuesdays at 10… This allows the Thursday comedy block to expand to two hours–stuffed between veterans The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men are newcomers The Millers and The Crazy Ones; closing out the night is Elementary.

Elsewhere: Returning sitcom Mike & Molly along with new comedy Friends with Better Lives and new dramas Reckless and Intelligence are being held for midseason debuts.

Programs not returning next season: CSI: NY, Golden Boy, Made In Jersey, Vegas, Partners, and Rules of Engagement.

Update: CBS has uploaded extended “first looks” for all of their upcoming fall shows; they are embedded after the break. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: CBS orders 8 new series for next season →

TV renewals: ‘Bates Motel’, ‘Revolution’, ‘Glee’ and others coming back next season

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On April 8, A&E renewed Bates Motel for a second season. Same order as before–10 new episodes will premiere in 2014.

A&E president Bob DeBitetto: “Bates Motel has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first few weeks. With superb writing and exceptional acting, led by the critically acclaimed performances of Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, we’re incredibly excited to see where Carlton and Kerry take Norma and Norman Bates next.”

On April 26, NBC renewed five dramas including freshmen Revolution and Chicago Fire, Law & Order: SVU (for a fifteenth season), Parenthood (for a fifth season), and Grimm (for a third season).

NBC entertainment president Jennifer Salke: “On the verge of our 2013 fall scheduling decisions, we’re pleased to renew five drama series that will be important to our new season line-up. We’re proud and very appreciative of all of the actors, producers, writers and directors who work so hard to deliver such high-quality work week in and week out. These complex shows represent a broad range of genres and tones, and all of them stand out for us in a television landscape now filled with one-hour series. We’re especially pleased to be renewing Revolution and Chicago Fire — two first-season successes — and there will be more returning series announcements made in the next couple of weeks.”

For more renewal news, jump after the break. Continue reading TV renewals: ‘Bates Motel’, ‘Revolution’, ‘Glee’ and others coming back next season →

First look: CBS’ ‘Under The Dome’

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From executive producer Steven Spielberg and showrunner Brian K. Vaughan (Lost) comes Under the Dome, a series based the 2009 Stephen King novel that is the story of a small New England town named Chester’s Mill that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. The town’s residents need to survive the deteriorating post-apocalyptic conditions while searching for answers to what this barrier is, where it came from, and how to make it go away.

In this first look clip you’ll hear from King and members of the cast including Mike Vogel (Pan Am, Bates Motel), Dean Norris (Breaking Bad), and Britt Robertson (The Secret Circle). Niels Arden Oplev (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) directed the pilot. “Under The Dome is going to be an innovative, exciting 13-week event. It is going to be riveting TV,” exudes King.

The series begins its summer run June 14 on CBS. Watch a second promo after the break. Continue reading First look: CBS’ ‘Under The Dome’ →

CBS renews 14 shows including ‘Hawaii Five-0’, ‘Person of Interest’, ‘Elementary’ & ‘2 Broke Girls’

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On Wednesday CBS renewed 14 shows and they are:

NCIS: Los Angeles (season 5), Blue Bloods (season 4), Hawaii Five-0 (season 4), Elementary (season 2), Person of Interest (season 3), The Good Wife (season 5), The Mentalist (season 6), 2 Broke Girls (season 3), Mike & Molly (season 4), The Amazing Race (season 23), Survivor (season 27), Undercover Boss (season 5), 60 Minutes, and newsmagazine 48 Hours.

They will be joining the previously renewed The Big Bang Theory (season 7), How I Met Your Mother (the 9th and final season), NCIS (season 11), and CSI (season 14) in the 2013-14 CBS lineup.

The fate for a handful of CBS shows are still up in the air. Two and a Half Men and Criminal Minds are likely to come back for their 11th and 9th seasons, respectively. Freshmen Vegas and Golden Boy remain on the bubble. Sitcom Rules of Engagement has managed to squeeze out seven seasons to serve as a trusty utility player when schedule holes need to be filled; it is not yet known if the Eye will let it go another round again.

‘Hawaii Five-0’ lets viewers determine the ending in this week’s episode

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This Monday CBS is airing a very unique episode of crime procedural Hawaii Five-0. Viewers will have the opportunity to choose the ending of the episode in real time. Check it: The mystery begins when the team must investigate the death of an O’ahu State University professor. His Boss, his Teaching Assistant, and a Student who he busted for cheating are all viable suspects. After each of the suspect’s motives is revealed, the network will advise viewers to vote who they think should get charged for the crime. There are two ways you can vote: go to CBS.com or hop on Twitter and use the hashtags #theBoss, #theTA, or #theStudent to voice your opinion. The votes will be tallied immediately and the most popular ending will become part of the broadcast, says CBS. And get this: separate voting will occur for East/Central and Pacific Time zone broadcasts, meaning each side of the nation may see different endings. All three endings have been shot, obviously, and CBS promises to make them all available to view on CBS.com after the broadcasts have aired.

“I’ve always felt the most fun aspect of watching a mystery is trying to figure out whodunit,” says exec producer Peter Lenkov. “Now the Hawaii Five-0 viewers will actually get the chance to tell us who they think committed the crime and we will listen. I love that our dedicated and attentive fans will actually play a part in resolving our story.”

Sounds fun, huh? The special episode titled “Kapu” (translation: “Forbidden”) airs this Monday night (1/14) at 10PM. Watch a trailer after the break. Continue reading ‘Hawaii Five-0’ lets viewers determine the ending in this week’s episode →

TCA 13: ‘Elementary’s Rob Doherty talks post-Super Bowl episode, introducing Moriarty and Irene Addler & taking a serial route

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Elementary, the CBS procedural inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tales of Sherlock Holmes, is the most watch new drama of the season. It’s doing so well, in fact, that the Eye has given it the plum post-Super Bowl slot this February 3. At the TCAs series creator and showrunner Rob Doherty (joined by stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu and exec producers Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman) discussed his excitement regarding this unique opportunity.

“It was a tremendous honor to get it as a first-year show,” Doherty said of the news. He said he hopes to “do our level best to keep the audience in their seats after the game.” The episode was made with potential newcomers and viewers from the beginning in mind. He understands that “It’s an incredible opportunity to expose the show to people who haven’t checked it out yet, and we took that into consideration when developing the episode.” He says the installment will tell “a story that we felt that not only was a good example of what the show could be, but also something that our viewers would have fun with.” A critic reminded him that the post-Super Bowl spot is one that pretty much guarantees the episode will attract “more people than anything you’ve ever done in your life — and if it works might result in you being set for life.” Doherty responded jokingly, “Well, now I’m stressed. Yes, I’ve felt all of those things. I mean, I’m stressed out all the time anyway. It’s hard to go from a 10 to an 11, but I did. Mostly what we felt was great excitement.” Continue reading TCA 13: ‘Elementary’s Rob Doherty talks post-Super Bowl episode, introducing Moriarty and Irene Addler & taking a serial route →

TCA 13: CBS’ Nina Tassler hopes for more ‘HIMYM’, ‘Two and a Half Men’, promotes summer schedule that includes Spielberg/King drama ‘Under the Dome’

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Today CBS was the last of the big four networks to take the stage at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour. CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler didn’t spend much time talking about her network’s ratings and overall fall performance. Everyone knows that the Eye attracts the most eyeballs in terms of total viewers. After NBC’s Bob Greenblatt gloated about ranking #1 in attracting viewers in the coveted 18-49 demographic, Tassler responded with this. “I wouldn’t say there’s been much slippage [among 18-49],” she said. “We’re not a niche broadcaster. For us it’s still about getting everybody. Our advertisers are very pleased with our 25-54 numbers as well.” For the remainder of the panel, Tassler discussed the futures of long-running sitcoms How I Met Your Mother and Two and a Half Men, she commented on the subject of violence on TV (a hot topic these days), and she announced CBS’ summer schedule which includes a mysterious drama called Under the Dome from Steven Spielberg and Stephen King. By now you should know where the bullet-points begin: after the break. Continue reading TCA 13: CBS’ Nina Tassler hopes for more ‘HIMYM’, ‘Two and a Half Men’, promotes summer schedule that includes Spielberg/King drama ‘Under the Dome’ →