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TV of Tomorrow: Fall TV Preview 2010

Hey networks, need a hit? Try Wednesdays at 8

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May 15, 2010 9:53 PM ET

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human-target-undercovers.jpgNBC will start off the 2010 upfronts not on Monday, but on Sunday (May 16), when it announces its schedule for next season in a call with reporters. If upfront lore is true, then network executives will be moving shows around right up to the time people start dialing in.

But for what it's worth, if we were running NBC -- or any of the broadcast networks, for that matter -- and we had a hot new show that we think had hit potential, we have a pretty good idea where we'd put it: Wednesday nights at 8. It's a timeslot that is absolutely ripe for new blood.

Outside of Friday and Saturday nights, no hour in primetime this season has been weaker. The most-watched show that aired regularly in the 8 o'clock hour on Wednesdays was FOX's "Human Target," which including DVR viewing drew around 9.4 million viewers per week when it aired there and a 2.8 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic (its two best airings were its series premiere, which was on a Sunday, and one that aired after "American Idol" at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20). Those aren't bad numbers -- "Human Target" is 39th for the season in viewers and tied for 50th in the demo -- but in just about any other timeslot from Sunday to Thursday, they'd be good for only second or third place.

So if we're scheduling NBC and we have buzzed-about pilots like "Undercovers" and "The Event" in our pocket for fall, we'd take a hard look at putting one of them there. "Undercovers" is a lighter show that could probably do well early in the evening -- which is not to say that something like the conspiracy thriller "The Event" couldn't work either. Eight o'clock Wednesday is, after all, where "Lost" began its life in 2004.

Heck, NBC: Why not put two new dramas on that night? The 9 p.m. show would have tougher competition from the likes of "Criminal Minds" and "Modern Family" -- and at midseason, "American Idol." But "Idol" is no longer the steamroller it once was, "Minds" has fallen off a little too and "Modern Family's" lead-out, "Cougar Town," tends to lose a good-sized chunk of its audience at 9:30, so there's opportunity there as well.

Consider a lineup of "Undercovers" at 8 and, say, "The Event" or "Outlaw" at 9, leading into the still-competitive "Law & Order: SVU" at 10. That's a pretty decent night of TV -- and one that could be a foundation for the network to dig out of its hole. Success comes show by show and night by night, and there's success to be had on Wednesdays next season.

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All of Zap2it's Fall TV preview coverage

Photo credits: FOX, NBC

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 |  Comments (13)

Rick, if NBC followed your module, NBC would have my *** parked in front of the TV every Wednesday. "Undercovers" is my #1 most watch drama this fall and wherever it lands I am there. But to have it lead in to the phenomenal SVU would be the icing on the cake...

Mark O. Estes | May 15, 2010 11:44 PM

Mondays
The Biggest Loser Pt. 1
Love Bites
Chase

Tuesdays
The Biggest Loser Pt. 2
The Cape
Outlaw

Wednesdays
Undercovers
The Event
Law and Order: SVU

Thursdays
Oursourced/The Office
Perfect Couples/Friends w/ Benefits
Chase

Fridays
Community/Parks & Rec.
Chuck
Dateline

Margeuax | May 16, 2010 4:36 AM

Proposed schedule

Mondays
The Biggest Loser Pt. 1
Love Bites
Law and Order:LA

Tuesdays
The Biggest Loser Pt. 2
The Cape
Outlaw

Wednesdays
Undercovers
The Event
Law and Order: SVU

Thursdays
Oursourced/The Office
Perfect Couples/Friends w/ Benefits
Chase

Fridays
Parenthood
Chuck
Dateline

Midseason replacements:
30 Rock
Community
Parks and Recreation
Minute to Win it
The Apprentice
Who Do You Think You Are?
The Marriage Ref

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ouqun | May 16, 2010 9:39 AM

I'd be hitting up NBC for their 10 p.m. time slot, now that Leno is gone there are 5 of them. Maybe NBC can rebuild their sit-com line up on Wendsday night, Thursday night has become "Must see former SNL has-beens TV". They may also want to experiment with dramas that don't have cops or doctors in them.

Alex | May 16, 2010 11:32 AM

Oh please don't even think about sending CHUCK to Friday nights after we've worked hard to keep the show alive for another season! I'd still watch, but think of how many good shows with medium ratings get sent to Fridays to die. NOT FAIR! Maybe Chuck should try Weds at 8, although I'm quite happy with it right where it's been on Mondays. It's a perfect show for 8PM viewing suitable for all ages!

SaveMyFaves | May 16, 2010 12:39 PM

Try posting the schedule, it has already been up on other site.... You are SLOW Preta!

Donna | May 16, 2010 1:36 PM

I was looking forward to the Rockford Files update but apparently it was not chosen by NBC...but another edition of Law and Order was. Along with way too many reality shows just proves to me there is no need for me to check out NBC next season.

Max | May 16, 2010 2:35 PM

@Rick: Thanks for noticing what we've been talking about for month: namely that Wednesdays, and especially 8pm are up for grabs.

When a show that doesn't reach 10 million viewers, even with DVR numbers added (it would have been nice to get the non-DVR numbers too!) is in the lead, it means it's open season.

About Human Target, its performance is even less impressive when you take into account the AI lead-out.

It didn't do as poorly as Lie To Me, but that's really not saying anything given that Lie To Me should never have been renewed.

Rena Moretti | May 17, 2010 11:18 AM

@Rick: Thanks for noticing what we've been talking about for month: namely that Wednesdays, and especially 8pm are up for grabs.

When a show that doesn't reach 10 million viewers, even with DVR numbers added (it would have been nice to get the non-DVR numbers too!) is in the lead, it means it's open season.

About Human Target, its performance is even less impressive when you take into account the AI lead-out.

It didn't do as poorly as Lie To Me, but that's really not saying anything given that Lie To Me should never have been renewed.

Rena Moretti | May 17, 2010 11:18 AM
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