Posted by Dustin on 07.22.2010 at 2:49 pm

The CBS Network to Roll Out Nearly All of its New and Returning Series During Official Premiere Week

CBS Officially Opens the Season on Sept. 20 with its Monday Comedy Block and New “Hawaii Five-0″

CBS Launches its New Thursday Comedy Block of “The Big Bang Theory” and “$#*! My Dad Says” on Sept. 23

“NCIS: Los Angeles” Returns with a Two-Hour Premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 21

“The Amazing Race” Leaves the Starting Gate with a 90-Minute Premiere on Sunday, Sept. 26

“CSI: Miami,” in its New Sunday Time Period, Premieres Oct. 3

CBS announced today that most of its new and returning series will premiere during the week of Sept. 20, the official start of the 2010-2011 season. The exceptions are SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA, which launches a week earlier, and THE GOOD WIFE and CSI: MIAMI, which both debut a week later.

CBS will get an early start on the season with the premiere of SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA, the 21st edition of the hit reality series, which launches in its new time period on Wednesday, Sept. 15 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).

CBS’s new season rollout officially begins on Monday, Sept. 20 with the season six debut of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT), followed by the fifth season premiere of RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT), the eighth season premiere of television’s #1 comedy, TWO AND A HALF MEN (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT), the series premiere of MIKE & MOLLY (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT) and the series debut of HAWAII FIVE-0 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

NCIS, television’s #1 drama, returns for its eighth season on Tuesday, Sept. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), followed by the two-hour second season premiere of NCIS: LOS ANGELES (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), last season’s #1 new scripted series.

On Wednesday, Sept. 22, CRIMINAL MINDS (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) returns for its sixth season followed by the series debut of THE DEFENDERS (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

On Thursday, Sept. 23, CBS opens its new one-hour comedy block on television’s biggest night with the fourth season premiere of THE BIG BANG THEORY (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) -the fastest-growing series on television and the #1 scripted program in adults 18-49 – heading into the irreverent new comedy, $#*! MY DAD SAYS (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT). CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION returns for its 11th season (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), followed by the third season premiere of THE MENTALIST (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

The Network’s new Friday lineup premieres Sept. 24 with MEDIUM’s second season on CBS (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), followed by a new two-hour block of New York-based crime dramas featuring the seventh season premiere of CSI: NY in its new (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) time period and the series debut of the new police drama BLUE BLOODS (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

48 HOURS MYSTERY, Saturday’s most-watched program, returns on Sept. 25 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

Premiering on Sunday, Sept. 26 is the 43rd season of 60 MINUTES, television’s longest- running and highest-rated newsmagazine (7:30-8:30 PM, ET/PT, time approximate following late-running football), followed by a 90-minute premiere of the multi-Emmy Award-winning THE AMAZING RACE (8:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT) and the Emmy Award-nominated UNDERCOVER BOSS, last season’s #1 new program (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

The Emmy Award-nominated THE GOOD WIFE returns for its sophomore season on Tuesday, Sept. 28 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

On Sunday, Oct. 3, CSI: MIAMI makes its ninth season premiere in its new time period (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

CBS’s 2010-2011 Premiere Dates

Wednesday, Sept. 15
8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA (21st Edition Premiere)

Monday, Sept. 20
8:00-8:30 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (6th Season Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (5th Season Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN (8th Season Premiere)
9:30-10:00 PM MIKE & MOLLY (Series Debut)
10:00-11:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0 (Series Debut)

Tuesday, Sept. 21
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS (8th Season Premiere)
9:00-11:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES (2nd Season Premiere)

Wednesday, Sept. 22
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS (6th Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM THE DEFENDERS (Series Debut)

Thursday, Sept. 23
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY (4th Season Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM $#*! MY DAD SAYS (Series Debut)
9:00-10:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (11th Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST (3rd Season Premiere)

Friday, Sept. 24
8:00-9:00 PM MEDIUM (2nd Season Premiere on CBS)
9:00-10:00 PM CSI: NY (7th Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS (Series Debut)

Saturday, Sept. 25
8:00-9:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
10:00-11:00 PM 48 HOURS MYSTERY (Season Premiere)

Sunday, Sept. 26
7:30-8:30 PM 60 MINUTES (43rd Season Premiere)
8:30-10:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE (17th Edition Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM UNDERCOVER BOSS (2nd Season Premiere)

Tuesday, Sept. 28
10:00-11:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE (2nd Season Premiere)

Sunday, Oct. 3
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM UNDERCOVER BOSS (Time Period Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: MIAMI (9th Season Premiere)

Posted by Dustin on 05.23.2010 at 11:55 am

So Friday night brought us the season finales of “Medium” and “Ghost Whisperer,” possibly the series finally for the later.

If that was the final “Ghost Whisperer,” I feel I would be satisfied. Both shows not only wrapped up the stories, but left us in good places, as if they knew chance for renewal might not happen. No horrid cliff hangers dangling the fans.

On “Ghost Whisperer” we learned Aiden didn’t listen to his parents and was still talking to the shinies, who as it turned out where crossed over ghost children. Aiden led them in a war to destroy the shadows, who were apparently trying to take over the world.This is why the shadows sought out ghost children who hadn’t been crossed over, they could become shinies.

Honestly I felt that the storyline was somewhat weak. This was all about a war of ghost children? This didn’t need a whole season to explain or come to fruition. But again, I was glad we weren’t left with some cliffhanger.

“Medium’s” entire episode had Allison dead and not crossing over, but sticking around to continue doing her job through poor Ariel. The whole show was a dream though, which I felt was fairly obvious. In the end Ariel got ready to head to Dartmouth for college, and Lee and Lynn finally got married. The show ended at their wedding with everyone toasting to the future.

I wasn’t that thrilled with this season finale either, but again, it was a good ending should it had been the series finale. Fortunately for “Medium,” which I enjoy more, it’s not. Allison will dream on, will Melinda make the leap to ABC? Time will tell.

Posted by Dustin on 05.19.2010 at 11:54 am

Ausiello has reported two major “Desperate Housewives” stories over the past two days.

First the good news, Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) joins the cast as a new trouble making neighbor. Side note, there was a rumor/spoiler going around it was a whole family that moved onto the block at the end of the season (as they do with every season), but only Paul Young showed up this time. Could Vanessa’s character be his new wife?

Second the . . . good news? Kyle MacLachlan (Orson) is leaving the show, but may appear on one or two final episodes next season. His character Orson did walk out on Bree at the end of this season. Frankly I’ve loathed Orson for a long time now, so I am not unhappy to see him go!

Posted by Dustin on 05.18.2010 at 1:09 pm

Ausiello has revealed (as have others, re Kristin) that CBS has canceled “Ghost Whisperer,” but renewed “Medium.”

Just as with last year when CBS rescued “Medium,” there is a chance that ABC could pick up “Ghost Whisperer.”

The official CBS schedule for next year will be revealed in a few days, with ABC announcing theirs today.

Posted by Dustin on 05.17.2010 at 7:45 pm

It’s been a long long time since I blogged about “Ghost Whisperer” or “Medium.” While I’ve been enjoying the later, I can’t say the same for “Ghost Whisperer.” The events of last season, the Jim/Sam stuff and then the jump with Aiden, have in part screwed up a lot of the show I feel.

I wanted more storyline arcs from the show, more cohesion. What we got was Aiden and the Shineys and Shadows thrown in every now and then, usually in the final five minutes. Unless I missed an episode, or they intend to rectify it in the finale, did they ever at all resolve half the ghosts at the hospital they introduced and just left us with?

Now as the finale approaches, we have Melinda and Jim pondering trying to convince Aiden that the ghosts he sees aren’t real. This might break his ability, so they think, as it’s how most kids grow out of seeing ghosts. Most kid’s ghosts don’t try and kill them though!

Speaking of the finale, did anyone think both “Ghost Whisperer” and “Medium” seem to have an eerily similar concept in store next week?

A pick-up for both “Medium” and “Ghost Whisperer” for another season looks good. The failing ratings for “GW” might mean it’s a final season. “Gary Unmarried” meanwhile might not be coming back. We can only hope that means sending Jay Mohr/Payne back. I feel that would really revitalize the show!

On “Medium” I’ve really loved some of the interesting shows they’ve been doing, like the one that focused on Ariel recently. Also the storyline arc with Joe and his job were great, with his boss getting the boot and him taking over.

I loved this last episode with Marie stealing Joe’s old toys, but as a toy collector had a bone to pick with that comic shop guy. He told Joe that the toys were “Very Fine” condition, but after Marie took them they were not as well preserved, so he couldn’t sell them for as much as he once could. In what world is someone’s name written on the backs of toys in red nail polish considered “Very Fine” condition. I think not!

Posted by Dustin on 04.19.2010 at 4:26 pm

The rest of the upcoming show spoilers, up until the season finales (which I’ve already posted).

Read More »

Posted by Dustin on 04.15.2010 at 9:12 pm

Friday, May 21 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)
GHOST WHISPERER-When Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) investigates a poltergeist in Grandview hospital, a final showdown looms with the supernatural forces threatening her and her son.

Friday, May 21 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT)
MEDIUM-When Allison’s (Patricia Arquette) brain tumor resurfaces, its aftermath could have life-altering consequences for her family and friends. Guest stars include Teri Polo (“The West Wing”) as murder victim Mary-Louise Graff and Margaret Colin (“Gossip Girl”) as D.A. Kelly Shuler.

Posted by Dustin on 04.03.2010 at 4:52 pm

Bunches of spoilers for upcoming shows of “Ghost Whisperer” and “Medium!” (Unfortunately late April also seems to bring bunches of reruns as well).

Read More »

Posted by Dustin on 03.08.2010 at 5:45 pm

MELINDA BATTLES FOR THE SOUL OF A LITTLE GIRL WHO’S BEEN TRAPPED IN A HAUNTED HOUSE FOR YEARS, ON “GHOST WHISPERER,” FRIDAY, MARCH 12

“Old Sins Cast Long Shadows” – A routine estate sale lands Melinda in the center of dark forces battling for the soul of a little girl (“Cassidy”) who’s been trapped in a violently haunted house for years, on GHOST WHISPERER, Friday, March 12 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

ALLISON AND JOE’S WEDDING IS REVISITED, AND AS THEY PREPARE FOR THEIR BIG DAY, SHE MUST ALSO DEAL WITH THE INCREASING POWER OF HER “GIFT” AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR HER AND JOE’S FUTURE, ON “MEDIUM,” FRIDAY, MARCH 12

Bruce Gray (“Recount,” “Playmakers”) and Kathy Baker (“Boston Public,” “Picket Fences”) Reprise Their Roles as Joe’s Parents; Ellen Geer (“Desperate Housewives”) Returns as Allison’s Grandma Benoit

“Allison Rolen Got Married” – Allison and Joe’s wedding is revisited, and as they prepare for their big day, she must also cope with the increasing strength of her “gift” and what these glimpses into her possible future could mean for her and her life with Joe, on MEDIUM, Friday, Friday, March 12 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Bruce Gray and Kathy Baker reprise their roles as Joe’s parents; Ellen Geer returns as Allison’s Grandma Benoit.

Posted by Dustin on 01.30.2010 at 2:32 pm

Last night was a new line-up of the Friday Night Spooky Shows. Here are some thoughts . . .

On “Ghost Whisperer” Melinda and company investigated the case of a guy haunted by visions of killing his girlfriend. In truth he was having memories of his biological father killing his mother (he was adopted as a young boy). His father was haunting him and giving him the visions. Both his father and sister had some fatal form of a sleep disorder, and the father was convinced demons would possess him if he slept. He thought the son had it as well and was tormenting him, keeping him awake. He was also trying to ruin his son’s relationship, he was engaged and planning on children. The father thought the issue would be passed down to another generation. The son didn’t have the disorder though, and Melinda ended up saving the world again!

This wasn’t one of my favorite episodes. In fact I got a little bored with it and my mind drifted. I feel like that has been happening a lot lately with this show. While it’s still #1 on Friday’s, because it really is the only thing on, I feel with so little competition perhaps the show is getting a little sloppy or lazy with the stories?

It was good to see Jim back and part of the story. I also noticed when he introduced himself to the patient he called himself Jim, not Sam Lucas. At this point I think the show realized what an utter flop last season’s story was and is trying to erase act like there is no Sam.

Over on “Medium,” Allison was investigating the case of a girl running away from a psych ward and supposedly killing her doctor. Allison soon began to suspect the girl’s roommate brother of having killed the doctor, the run-away girl as well as his/the roommate’s parents, who she was convicted of killing in fact. So confusing I know! This was one of those episodes that if your mind wandered, you would have missed something big. In the end, it turned out the roommate and the brother formulated a plan to kill their rich parents, she would act crazy to take the blame then be released when better, but she talked too much to her catatonic roommate who then began repeating what she told her. So they had to kill the roommate, the brother killed the doctor (who knew their secret) and then the girl killed her brother as well in order to get all the parents money for herself. Phew even trying to type that out made me tired!

I really liked this episode mainly because it was so twisty, and it was one where I didn’t even guess the ending till it happened. They kept it a secret up until the very end that the one girl wasn’t crazy, just acting. I liked that!

I also loved that the second story in this episode involved Bridgett having boy problems. However they just seemed to cut this story off with Ariel pointing out to Bridgett that she did like this boy, as she kept drawing him over and over in her notebook really well. Marie it seemed also had a crush on him, as she had been writing over and over “I Love Finn.” One of Marie’s pages got into Bridgett’s notebook and Bridgett thought she must have spaced out and done it, that she must like this boy, but later realized it was Marie who had the crush. This upset her as for once she thought she had done something normal. I do have to say, for someone who just started using full sentences this season (Marie), she has some very grown up handwriting!

I am really hoping that sometime soon we get some storyline arcs on both these shows. Some episodes that start stringing together to further some plot of the season. More on Joe’s job on “Medium” and perhaps some way to wrap up all the hospital ghosts left hanging on “Ghost Whisperer.” The shinnies storyline really doesn’t interest me too much on that show unfortunately.