CBS has an interesting problem with its dramas. They have a glut of cop dramas, but they all get ratings. Go figure. They do have some aging franchises so that opens up future possibilities, but that might not help the pilots on the slate currently. CSI still has life, but The Mentalist looks like it’s reaching the end, unless they decide it’s worth it for a Friday run. Hawaii-Five-0 and Blue Bloods are dragging a bit on Friday, but what else is CBS going to put on that night? The Good Wife still underperforms, but the network loves it. How long will they stick with it though? Tuesdays are set in stone (yay Person of Interest!), so are Wednesdays, so are Thursdays, even if they are picking up eight weeks of Thursday Night Football. In a 36 week TV season, they can work in their usual Thursday offerings and football too.
So how many drama slots are left? One to two on Sunday, and the very painful hard to please Monday at 10pm slot. I anticipate out of this list of nine, three at most being picked up. Unless one or two screams “the best summer show evah.”
Battle Creek: A detective and an FBI agent walk into a bar (just kidding, seeing if you’re paying attention). A detective and an FBI agent with very different world views team up to clean up the “semi-mean” streets of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Prognosis: It’s a done deal. As a matter of fact, I think CBS has already committed to putting this on the schedule. As someone who’s actually been to Battle Creek, Michigan, it’s an interesting idea. Although, Battle Creek has about one mean street. Now Kalamazoo, that might have worked better. Sorry, I digress. I’m assuming this is meant to be a quirky, buddy cop kind of thing. David Shore is tied to the project which gives it visibility, and Kal Penn has been brought in which isn’t a bad thing. This is also coming from CBS Television Studios, so in house is always appeal to a network.
Madam Secretary: A drama about the personal and professional life of the female Secretary of State. She handles office politics by day, balancing family life at night.
Prognosis: Why? Didn’t they try this with Hail to the Chief? (I know, that was ABC, but you get my point). It might also be me, but I can’t picture Tea Leoni in this role. I think she’s far better suited for comedy. But it has a chance, given CBS’ aged demographic. This sounds like it’s in their wheelhouse. After all, I was bullish on Intelligence last season and look how that turned out. Still, I don’t think this one will work.
Only Human: This is the description per The Futon Critic “Import of the Israeli drama, about four siblings who had their entire lives documented by a filmmaker until age 32, when the documentary stops and everyone comes to find the four’s real lives are quite different from the way they had been portrayed on TV.”
Prognosis: Could work. I wonder if this is one of those limited run series that networks are jumping toward to plug schedule holes. I don’t see a lot of longevity in this premise. There isn’t a cast for this either, but I don’t see this type of project needing big names.
Red Zone: A CIA operative is pulled back into action after a terrorist event in Washington DC.
Prognosis: Very shaky. This show needs a strong lead and one hasn’t been cast. Considering all the candidates and the limited slots, I think the others have a better chance. Especially the spinoffs.
Scorpion: Inspired by the true story of Walter O’Brien, a man documented with the fourth highest IQ. He recruits those of his kind to solve the world problems without even trying (sorry, I made that last part up). Not only are they trying to solve important problems, but they also try to help each other go through the toughest challenge of all, fitting in this crazy world. Being one in a billion isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Prognosis: Pretty good. High concept, a world of possibilities, it’s The Big Bang Theory of drama. Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman are tied to the project too, and despite their questionable quality with shows they are on a nice winning streak these days. The only downside is they haven’t casted their genius yet. Is Hugh Laurie still available?
Untitled CSI Spinoff: The new setting is Quantico, VA! The concept goes to the next level as the person in charge, Avery Ryan, gets to be a CSI in the Cyber Crimes Division of the FBI. That means mean a decent budget and cool toys! The idea, stop crimes by finding them online before they play out in the real world.
Prognosis: Good. CSI is so old, that two of its spinoffs have already had long runs and ended. This idea is definitely more high concept and ambitious than the other franchises. Plus, haven’t you always wanted to see life inside of Quantico ever since The X-Files was on the air? No? Perhaps that’s just me. CBS has had a good track record with spinoffs and this would definitely appeal to their base. The only downside is there is no cast yet! CSI clicked because of the core ensemble. This show will have to do the same.
Untitled Kevin Williamson Project: A psychological thriller centering around a pair of detective who handle staking incidents for the Threat Management Unit of the LAPD.
Prognosis: Not interested. They lost me at “detectives” and I just visualized a The Following, Criminal Minds, Law and Order: SVU, and Scooby-Doo type mash up. Sorry, without more to go on this sounds like it’s been done.
Untitled NCIS Spinoff:NCIS goes to the Florida through Texas Panhandles! You know, the uninteresting super scary part of America.
Prognosis: It’ll probably get a pickup. Last year’s NCIS:LA Spinoff failed and obviously CBS wants this franchise to expand otherwise they wouldn’t be trying again. Can it be better than NCIS: LA? Please? I do really love Scott Bakula, so that’s a big plus for this show. However, I hated Enterprise. No fault to Mr. Bakula of course, he worked hard with the crap he was given, but what’s to say it won’t happen again with this one? I just don’t like procedurals.
Untitled Wall Street Pilot: Set in the world of Wall Street with all it’s power and money.
Prognosis: Meh. When did the movie Wall Street come out, like 1987? I get that the Wolf of Wall Street is out right now, but which film does it want to follow? Or does it want to be its own hybrid story, stealing from lots of other things. Who knows? Who cares? CBS has more interesting projects on the books.
Okay, that’s my take on CBS shows. What do you think? Anything excite you? Care to share your CBS fantasy schedule? Yeah, fantasy scheduling for CBS is kind of like playing craps at the AARP.
Coming up next, ABC, just because they have a schedule so full of holes it looks like swiss cheese.
