Reporter-types are always a presence at the upfronts, but the events of the week are never really about us. We are not, after all, the ones spending billions of dollars on their programming.

What that tends to mean is that once the networks hold their morning press conferences, we take a back seat to the advertisers who are spending those dollars. The presentations are geared toward them, with emphasis on how Network X's schedule meets their needs and will promote their products. Events afterward are about letting ad folks meet and greet the stars and producers. Face time for us journos is usually limited to the ones with cameras along a red carpet.

But in this, the year of the Re-invented Upfront, CBS went and did something from way outside the box: Rather than have its usual big to-do at Tavern on the Green in Central Park, where hundreds upon hundreds of people jockey for shrimp and posed photos with CBS talent, the network had a little gathering at a pub -- just for the press to mingle and chat with network execs and the folks involved with the new shows.

The food was tasty -- mini-burgers (as Craig Ferguson noted during a fine monologue during the presentation, "They make your hands look huge") and little hot dogs got passed around -- CBS CEO Les Moonves was holding court in a corner and Eleventh Hour star Rufus Sewell answered questions amicably. Some of us had tape recorders out, but for the most part, everyone was just shooting the breeze. In a week when things are typically pitched at a volume of 11, this turned out to be a pretty comfortable 5 or 6.

I chatted with Diane Ruggiero, the creator of the new Elizabeth Reaser dramedy The Ex List. My first question on hearing the premise -- a psychic tells a woman she has a year to marry, or she'll wind up alone forever -- was, What's season two? After listening to Ruggiero, though, it seems like she has a pretty good handle on the material and what she wants to do with her lead character.

As for the upfront presentation itself, CBS kept it old-school, laying out ad opportunities across multiple platforms before showing us trailers from all of its new shows (thus far, it's the only network to have finished clips for all the new product). Ferguson also had the audience in the palm of his hand every time he came on stage -- every time I see him do stand-up, I wish I were more of a night owl so I could watch his show live.

Was CBS' presentation the most exciting thing I've ever seen? No -- none of the new shows blew me away. The simple fact that we got to see a piece of each one, though, felt like a nice little treat.

What sounds good to you on the CBS schedule?

Comments

Nothing that CBS has presented for the new season has particularly interested me. I might watch one or two (particularly the new comedy added to their Monday night line-up), but couldn't pick a standout among them. I really started disliking CBS several years ago when they cancelled "Joan of Arcadia" without any warning. So I try really hard not to get too attached to any of their shows.

I do think Craig Ferguson is the best on the late late night shows, so I'm not surprised that he did well at the upfront.

Melody | May 14, 2008 11:31:08 PM | #

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I don't watch anything on CBS. I think the network S*CKS!!
I miss JERICHO!!!
But I DO still like
LETTERMAN and always will.

LOVE YA, DAVE!!

Lisa | May 15, 2008 12:18:55 AM | #

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I'm glad that How I Met Your Mother is returning, but am sad that Jericho is gone.

Josh Man | May 15, 2008 9:12:00 AM | #

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I don't like the fact they're gearing towards more comedy. They had a great show in 'Jericho'. It's too bad that Nielsen rules all and CBS refused to stand up to them.

Nothing on the schedule looks appealing to me, which is good because I'm too afraid to invest in anything new on CBS anyway, they'll just cancel it.

Patty | May 15, 2008 9:31:26 AM | #

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Just record Craig, like we do. He IS hillarious!!! We never miss him.

Harvickfan | May 15, 2008 12:47:08 PM | #

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The Ex List is what was chosen to replace Moonlight!?! That is one new show that I can easily eX off my list of any interest in trying. No thank you. I will spend my time elsewhere.

everwood | May 15, 2008 2:52:16 PM | #

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Craig Ferguson, is the best show on CBS and that is the only one I care to watch and never miss. I like Dave Letterman when I get the chance to watch him.

grnybabs32 | May 16, 2008 6:53:57 PM | #

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CRAIG FERGUSON is the best of the best and CBS is lucky to have him.
The hours are killing me and I can't record him, so I stay up every single night for his show.
Old folks, like me, should NOT be laughing out loud that late at night.
CBS you have a gem, PLEASE don't let anything happen to him.

Judy | May 17, 2008 10:25:41 AM | #

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MOONLIGHT returns after the strike and a long break from CBS with 4 great new episodes/stories. It wins its timeslot but still gets cancelled?! A series with such a loyal & vocal fan base plus stars that generate media attention and CBS can't give it another year after this strike altered season! You can't buy publicity like this! No series on the network has this much potential for new growth and viewers. Bring MOONLIGHT back and: keep it on Friday where it matches Ghost Whisperer or put it on Saturday in the (un)dead zone or save it for midseason after some fall shows flop. TV is a business but cancelling MOONLIGHT seems like the worst decision. The fans have spoken!

Pam | May 17, 2008 1:36:15 PM | #

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The EX List is going to replace Moonlight? No thanks. I have enough of women looking for a husband at work. BORING!!!!

I'll be watching something else on Friday nights or I'll be out! No more staying at home Friday nights until after 9:00 CST to see Moonlight or TVOing Moonlight for Saturday viewing. No Moonlight? I'm gone CBS.

Linda | May 17, 2008 6:46:20 PM | #

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I'm not watching anything new coming out of CBS. I'm no longer going to invest in shows with such a short lifespan.

SweetPeaSurry | May 17, 2008 6:51:12 PM | #

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After looking at the snipets, I must confess that nothing looks interesting....it seems more like the same ole same ole tired stuff. Very disapointing, just not much there.

Nancy | May 17, 2008 8:49:05 PM | #

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I wonder if who they care more about....the advertiser or the audience....true it is a business, so I guess that answers my question. Yet if I were an advertiser, I don't see anything here that I would want to invest it.

John | May 17, 2008 8:53:40 PM | #

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Nothing new looks worth watching on CBS. Sorry they took Moonlight off their schedule.

roxy9 | May 19, 2008 10:38:33 AM | #

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No Moonlight? No CBS on my remote!
They cancel The Peoples Choice?? If CBS don't care about people, then people don't have to care about CBS. I'm taking my wallet and I'm gone CBS!

Foxy | May 20, 2008 5:48:10 AM | #

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Why would CBS cancel Moonlight, when it is winning it's time slot? I started watching it because it was on after Ghost Whisperer. After the first 2 episodes of Moonlight, I found it to be the reason I stayed home on Friday night to watch TV. I hope this is a stunt that CBS is pulling, to get some more buzz going for the show. If not, I don't think GW is enough to hold my interest on Friday nights.......

Bill | May 20, 2008 9:47:29 AM | #

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moonlight got off to a bad start, but after a feww episodes it got better and i liked it alot. beth was the best. to bad its gone, but im still mad about cbs cancelling
close to home. that show was terrific and got higher ratings than moonlight. go figure.

domenick verderber | May 23, 2008 6:09:01 PM | #

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I'm glad they kept Cold Case at the same time. This season better be a lot different than last one; with more episodes.

LII2 | Jun 4, 2008 4:11:22 PM | #

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