Analyzing the 2016 Fall Schedule: CBS

THURSDAY

SHILO’S PREDICTIONS: 8:00 The Big Bang Theory; 8:30 Man with a Plan; 9:00 Mom; 9:30 Kevin Can Wait; 10:00 Limitless
CRAIG’S PREDICTIONS: 8:00 The Big Bang Theory; 8:30 Man with a Plan; 9:00 The Odd Couple; 9:30 Mom; 10:00 Pure Genius
ACTUAL SCHEDULE: 8:00 The Big Bang Theory; 8:30 The Great Indoors; 9:00 Mom; 9:30 Life in Pieces; 10:00 Pure Genius

SHILO: Even though I had some criticism for the Monday comedy lineup, I actually think it might be stronger than Thursday once you look past the presence of The Big Bang Theory. It’s interesting that CBS picked something like The Great Indoors for its post-Big Bang slot because from the trailer, it looks like the main character is going to be super condescending about topics that the Big Bang characters revere; it’d be like if ABC put a comedy after Modern Family whose main character only talked about how much family sucks and how people are stupid to spend time with their families. Strange. While Mom should continue doing okay/solid business at 9:00, I’m curious how Life in Pieces will handle being away from Big Bang, as the show didn’t get a single cam partner and will be airing in the least ideal spot in a four comedy lineup. It being at 9:30 should help lessen the flow issues that abounded when it was at 8:30, but as we learned from The Crazy Ones shifting to 9:30, said issues will still be there.

I’m less sold on Pure Genius than CBS seems to be. It just seems like it’s an inch from becoming incomprehensible techno-babble wrapped up in a maudlin hospital drama, which I don’t think CBS audiences will go for. The technological angle certainly didn’t help CSI: Cyber and CBS hasn’t had a breakout hospital drama since Chicago Hope in the mid 1990s, so even with competition being a weakened How to Get Away with Murder and The Blacklist, I don’t think Pure Genius is going to become the drama that CBS needs here, especially if Life in Pieces falls apart a’la The Millers when it left Big Bang‘s bosom.

CRAIG: The Great Indoors trailer probably interested me more than the other CBS comedies, and maybe – just maybe – it’ll work after Big Bang. I still don’t “get” Life in Pieces but apparently CBS does. As for Pure Genius… I know people love their Jason Katims, but the trailer reminded me of the weaker aspects of Second Chance. And we know what happened to Second Chance; at least, those of us who even know what Second Chance even was. Maybe the show itself is better, but I’m skeptical. (Also? Still bitter about Limitless.)