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American Morning

Networks Revamp Prime-time Schedules

Aired May 17, 2002 - 08:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID SCHWIMMER: She's coming, she's coming.

JENNIFER ANISTON: Oh, God!

SCHWIMMER: Oh, my God -- oh my God, she's here.

Oh, she's perfect.

ANISTON: Oh, wow. Oh, she's so tiny.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: As expected, the issue -- the issue -- the episode of "Friends" last night, Rachel gave birth to a baby girl, a touching moment for the show's season finale. Watched, no doubt, by millions all around the country. Very successful program.

All week long, television networks unveiling their plans for next season. We've been reporting one at a time on the major networks: the surprises, shows that made the cut, shows that will get the ax come fall. Last night, on the final night of the "up-fronts" as they're called, it was FOX's turn.

And as CNN's Michael Owku reports, not even the network's most popular shows were spared.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL OWKU, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On the last day of up-front week, FOX unveiled seven new shows to revamp its prime-time schedule, while canceling one-time favorites. "Dark Angel" is in TV heaven. Gone, too, "The X-Files," along with the princess of 30- something angst "Ally McBeal."

Ally will be replaced by "Girl's Club," about a trio of young female lawyers. Network staples like "Boston Public" will return. Many have been reshuffled to provide stability on evenings featuring new shows, including "The Bernie Mac Show" and the breakout hit "24."

If FOX is bold, it's because they lost viewers this year, a 7 percent slide in their normally steadfast 18-to-49 set. Next season, FOX will air high-octane dramas like "Fast Lane" to win them back, sci-fi drama "Firefly." Comedies include the new variety show "Cedric the Entertainer Presents."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER: I'm hot, black, and strong.

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OWKU: At UPN, programmers added a comedy and two new dramas, including an update of "The Twilight Zone" and the supernatural mystery hour "Haunted."

As always, the up-fronts was an all-out, unabashed week-long sales pitch to advertisers, NBC the clear powerhouse, CBS waiting in the wings.

OWKU (on camera): The glitzy presentations may be over this week, but they've set off a round of meetings between advertisers and representatives from the networks. Experts believe that in the next several months, broadcasters will hammer out deals worth more than $7 billion.

STACEY KOERNER, INITIATIVE MEDIA: There are some indications that people will spend more money in the up-front this year.

OWKU (voice-over): Stacy Koerner directs research for the country's largest media buyer.

KOERNER: I actually like something on every network we've seen so far. There's "American Dreams" on NBC. On ABC, there's John Ritter's new comedy, "Eight Simple Rules for Dating My Daughter." On CBS, everyone agrees that "CSI Miami" will be a winner.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Someone going to cover me?

DAVID CARUSO, ACTOR: I got you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OWKU: Experts say the network rule this year, in uncertain political times and a potentially soft advertising market, is "play it safe."

KEN TUCKER, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": They want kind of comfort food programming, but there's a kind of yearning for old-fashioned kind of TV. So the idea is to put old-fashioned kinds of formats with new, young, bright faces in, starring in them, and hoping that it will work.

OWKU: But if you're number one, it already works.

JEFF ZUCKER, PRESIDENT, NBC ENTERTAINMENT: It's a combination of playing it safe and playing it smart. The fact is, you know, when you have that much success, you don't screw with it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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