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'CSI' evidence points to scheduling shakeup
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CBS, which is once again likely to finish the season as the most-watched network on TV, will likely stick with the if-it-ain't-broke strategy to setting its schedule at next week's upfronts. The network may, however, make a couple sizable scheduling tweaks to its most recognizable franchise, "CSI."One or more of the three "CSI" shows could potentially move to different timeslots in the fall, the result of declining ratings for the franchise and the network's desire to give some of its newer shows the prime real estate the shows occupy. According to Variety, one option would even be for CBS to hold "CSI: NY" until midseason in order to give a new series the "Criminal Minds" lead-in.
The reason for the possible moves comes down to ratings: All three "CSI" series have declined this season in both viewers and the money-making adults 18-49 demographic. The total-viewer slippage hasn't been too frightening, ranging from "CSI: NY" being basically flat (12.4 million viewers to 12.5 million last season) to "CSI" original recipe being down 9 percent (15.8 million vs. 17.4 million). But all three shows are down by 10 percent or more in the 18-49 demo, with the original show falling a whopping 28 percent (3.9 rating vs. 5.4 in 2008-09).
Since it has the biggest declines, the original "CSI" is probably the most likely candidate to move. Variety says that flipping Thursday timeslots with "The Mentalist" could be an option, as could Friday nights -- where the show began its life in 2000.
If we're playing armchair network executive at Zap2it, though, we'd do the following: Leave "CSI: Miami" where it is, because while it's suffered some opposite the surging "Castle" in the spring, it's still a solid lead-out for the network's comedy block. "NY" and "CSI" would both get new nights, with "NY" going to Fridays at 10 -- where it would likely improve on what "Numb3rs" and "Miami Medical" have done this year -- and "CSI" to Sundays at 9, where it could provide a good lead-in for either "Cold Case" (if it sticks around) or a new series.
The moves would also free up hours on Wednesday and Thursday for new dramas. On Wednesday, CBS could follow the "NCIS" pattern and put the "Criminal Minds" spinoff at 10 after its parent show, or opt for another of its new series. On Thursdays, moving "The Mentalist" to 9 could make a nice platform to launch "Hawaii Five-O" at 10, giving fans a two-hour block of CBS golden boys: "The Mentalist's" Simon Baker and "Five-O" star Alex O'Loughlin.
CBS will announce its 2010-11 schedule on Wednesday, May 19.
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LET'S GET RID OF ALL THE CSI'S 'CAUSE THEY ALL SUCK!!!
And stop giving Alex O'Loughlin starring roles. The guy sucks.
Hawaiian Five O isn't going to stick around, it's just going to flop.
Seriously it's a remake of an old TV show.
CBS should keep Cold Case and renew it and leave it at 9pm.
I can't see them shifting CSI: NY to the spring. I think all three shows will have full seasons that start this fall.
Moving The Mentalist to Thurs. 9pm isn't a bad idea. I think CBS has flip flopped The Mentalist with CSI twice this year. I believe they had good results.
A move to Friday isn't a bad idea either. Numb3rs had respectable numbers there for a while and, like you said, one of the CSI shows should do better.
Putting any CSI show on Friday night will signal the death of it. Friday's available audience has eroded beyond speculation.
It will be interesting to see how CBS handles all these shows that have aged. The CSIs, Survivor, Amazing Race, Two and Half Men etc. Within a couple of years, a large percentage of CBS's prime time schedule will be gone.
Please do not put any of the CSI's on fridays. I have seen two shows go there (Ugly Betty and Friday Night Lights) and both of them go down in ratings. Keep CSI Las Vegas on Thursday....it still beats Greys. if anything....move Miami
If CSI Vegas moves to sundays it will be affected by the late football games that always go long. A move to fridays might be acceptable, if they switch it thursday at 10pm, I'll stop watching all together, I HATE the mentalist. I gave up on Miami when Horatio got shot and they started shifting attention to Delko, I dont even know who that chubby black kid is. I never watched CSI NY because in never had that NY feel barely filmed in the actual city...CBS is really on the outs since Without a Trace got the ax, and if Cold Case goes, they will be the new "Fox" of the 21st century
CSI still beats Grey's Anatomy decisively. Why move it at all?
Fuzz thinks O'Loughlin sucks. So why was he up for the James Bond Role and got rave reviews for his last dozen films? What would he have to be to please Fuzz?
CSI as a block blows. Exercise the nuclear option on them. Dudes What's with hating on o'laughlin. Moonlight was cool.