Here\u2019s today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.<\/p>\n
Eyeing CBS.<\/strong> Nearing the end now of my annual indulgence about how to revive the sinking broadcast networks with programming promoting the universal values like faith in God, kindness, forgiveness, gratitude, tolerance, wisdom, personal responsibility and the all-important ability to laugh at one\u2019s own foibles (as opposed to spitefully mocking those with whom we differ). I’ve already posted my imaginary (or, as I would like to think of them, visionary) schedules for NBC<\/a>, Fox <\/a>and ABC<\/a>. Now, it’s CBS’ turn.<\/p>\n CBS, BTW, was the only network to post an audience gain last season (albeit a very slight one).\u00a0 The reason it’s doing relatively well may be that its programming is the least edgy of any network — though a\u00a0 bit more heart would probably boost the network still higher.<\/p>\n Anyway, here’s what CBS has actually decided upon programming for the 2013-2014 season<\/a>. You can also get more details about the new shows the network actually picked up by following that link.\u00a0 Below is my proposed schedule. NEW SHOWS ARE IN CAPS. (In some cases, I\u2019ve taken the liberty of changing the titles.)<\/p>\n MONDAY<\/strong> TUESDAY<\/strong> WEDNESDAY<\/strong> THURSDAY<\/strong>
\n 8:00 \u2013 How I Met Your Mother<\/strong>
\n 8:30 \u2013 SIMON SAYS<\/strong> (aka The Crazy Ones<\/em>, Robin Williams as genius ad agency boss Simon Roberts.\u00a0 Sarah Michelle Gellar is his daughter.)
\n9:00 \u2013 Mike & Molly<\/strong>
\n 9:30 \u2013 MOM<\/strong> (from Chuck Lorre, about three generations of dysfunctional women)
\n10:00 \u2013 The Good Wife\/Spring: THE ADVOCATES<\/a><\/strong> (A female lawyer and male ex-con team up a victims’ advocates)
\nNOTE:<\/strong> I’m not a particular fan of Chuck Lorre’s raunchy humor but given his success at the network (i.e. The Big Bang Theory <\/em>which\u00a0 is also, in my view, his best show) you’d probably have to give his new show a shot — especially since I would cancel his aging, expensive and overrated Two and a Half Men<\/em>. Re: Mom<\/em>, I would hope that he could be encouraged to move his characters toward a better place as the show moves on.<\/p>\n
\n 8:00 \u2013 NCIS<\/strong>
\n 9:00 \u2013 NCIS Los Angeles<\/strong>
\n10:00 \u2013 THE RED TEAM<\/a><\/strong> (about a traveling team of NCIS investigators)
\nNOTE:<\/strong> Extending the NCIS brand over the entire night seems like a good idea.<\/p>\n
\n 8:00 \u2013 INTELLIGENCE<\/strong> (Josh Holloway of Lost<\/em> is a U.S. agent with a super computer chip in his brain.)<\/strong>
\n 9:00 \u2013 Person of Interest<\/strong><\/strong>
\n10:00 \u2013 Hawaii Five-0<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=cJ0rlLuUkWE<\/a>
\nNOTE:<\/strong> I must say the trailer sold me on Intelligence<\/em>. It looks like a lot of fun.<\/p>\n
\n 8:00 \u2013 The Big Bang Theory<\/strong>
\n 8:30 \u2013 SUPER CLYDE <\/a><\/strong>(comedy about a fast-food worker who decides to become a superhero.)
\n9:00 \u2013 BEVERLY HILLS COP<\/a><\/strong> (Update of the Eddie Murphy film series)
\n10:00 \u2013 Golden Boy\/Spring: BACKSTROM<\/a><\/strong> (a brilliant but misanthropic detective solves crimes.)
\nNOTE:<\/strong> Golden Boy<\/em>\u00a0had some of that NYPD Blue heart that is missing from so many newer detective shows and deserved to be renewed.
\n<\/em>What I’ve read about Backstrom intrigues me. Take this, for instance, from The Hollywood Reporter<\/a>: (Dennis) Haysbert will play Det. John Almond, one of the detectives working with Backstrom. Kind and warm, Almond has been married 30 years and is devoutly religious. <\/em>I’d be very tempted to spin that character off into his own show.<\/em>
\nFLASHBACK: NYPD Blue<\/strong>
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