Most Promising Trailer: Although I hate the lack of mustache bothers me, and I don’t find Jay Hernandez to have that…. whatever it was that made Tom Selleck’s Magnum so likable, I really liked the Magnum P.I. trailer. The classic car showing up, an update to the theme music… it was fun. I just hope their Magnum is fun. I do like the new, female Higgins already.
Most Anticipated New Show: Beyond Magnum, I’m really excited to see how the Murphy Brown update turns out.
Best Scheduling Move: Again, Magnum Mondays at 9 seems to work even if the rest of the night might not. I think FBI is in a good place to thrive, also.
Worst Scheduling Move: That first hour of Mondays is kind of rough. Essentially, the entire night is “new” with the first two hours being completely new shows. That could cause unnecessary damage across the night.
Most Likely New Hit: Murphy Brown will open big. I think FBI will do pretty well. But I think Magnum might be the mainstream hit.
Likely First Cancellation: Either The Neighborhood or Happy Together.
What I’ll Be Watching in the Fall: There are a few CBS shows that I enjoy when I tune in, but for sure I’ll be checking out Magnum and Murphy Brown. Yes, I am the annoying kind of viewer they make these reboots for, apparently.
Most Promising Trailer: I thought the Magnum trailer was very well-executed. It’s not my style of show so I won’t be checking it out, but it was perfectly on-brand with the network’s MacGyver/5-0 side and seemed to do a fine job of acknowledging the original while forging its own path. Granted, the show won’t be able to do the type of stunts it included in its trailer every week, but as long as the ensemble chemistry is right, the cases are well-constructed, and it retains its sense of fun, it should be a good addition to their drama slate.
Most Anticipated New Show: The Red Line. After years of (rightfully) being hounded for their poor progress regarding inclusive casting/storytelling, I’m really curious what (essentially sounds like) the CBS version of American Crime looks like. More importantly, I’m dying to know how it’ll be received by the CBS audience because while the network has upped its representation game this year, to the point where it’s challenging former clubhouse leader ABC, this is the show that could prove to be polarizing for the network’s core. Just how much progress is the ceiling for CBS in one season? And can this show generate enough buzz/acclaim to offset whatever difficulties it will have in the Nielsens? It’ll be a fascinating case study.
Best Scheduling Move: Keeping The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon together. I know that it goes against conventional wisdom to keep two huge shows together vs. using both as a lead-in to something new, particularly if you’re like CBS and have a sagging comedy slate. I just feel like the network would be better off grooming Sheldon to assume the Thursdays at 8:00 throne upon Big Bang‘s retirement; Big Bang Theory has never had something retain it the way Sheldon has and Sheldon is a young show that’s going to be around for a long time, so if you’re going to nurture anything, it’s that.
Worst Scheduling Move: Three new shows back-to-back-to-back on Mondays? Are we really doing this? It’s tough enough to get one new show to pop in this TV environment, so three in a row is ludicrous, particularly when the lone series with IP awareness isn’t leading into anything new. I definitely don’t think Magnum | Comedies | Bull is something that CBS should’ve done, but you’re not properly utilizing your assets the way it currently stands. Magnum is vulnerable because of an unproven, seemingly incompatible lead-in, while the comedies aren’t really being given a chance to work. At best, it’s wasteful scheduling; at worst, it’s cynical and performative, as CBS gets to pat itself on the back for three POC-led shows in a row while not setting any of them up for success.
Most Likely New Hit: CBS is a weird network to forecast because it doesn’t take much in the way of big swings. It seems to know its core fairly well, so it’s going less for home runs and more for a bunch of singles and doubles. I don’t think any new fall show CBS is fielding has big hit potential, be it for scheduling or content reasons. The closest they’ll come is probably FBI, which is decently on-brand and in a fine scheduling position. I do wonder about how the CBS core responds to a show about a Bureau they’re not a fan of right now, but the Dick Wolf brand and the show’s broadness should turn it into a solid player that runs for 100 years. The CBS way.
Likely First Cancellation: One of The Neighborhood and Happy Together won’t make it to sweeps, especially if Magnum is sluggish out of the gate. The chances of three new shows back-to-back-to-back working out is very low and CBS pulled similar kamikaze scheduling last year with Me, Myself & I, which also didn’t have much of a chance based on how it was platformed. The Monday 8:00 hour is under pressure because of the makeover that CBS gave the night after being unsatisfied with its performance and the responsibility it has in making sure Magnum gets out of the gates alright. If that show is a little sluggish, CBS will be making major changes sooner rather than later.
What I’ll Be Watching in the Fall: I might give Happy Together an episode or two just because the trailer was more than I expected and Amber Stevens West has been very good in everything I’ve seen her in. Otherwise, bar the occasional episode of Mom (which I primarily watch in syndication anyway), CBS and I won’t be seeing each until midseason for The Red Line.
