Programming Changes
CBS, ABC and NBC are each introducing three new series after the Winter Olympics on CBS are finally out of the way . . .
"Four Corners," a drama about two proud families in a Southwestern community, premieres on CBS with a two-hour episode on Tuesday, Feb. 24, before a-ridin' into its regular 10 p.m. Tuesday slot the next week . . .
It stars Ann-Margret and Sonia Braga . . .
As previously announced, "The Closer," the network’s big-ticket sitcom starring Tom Selleck as a "legendary advertising executive," bolsters the Monday night lineup starting Feb. 23 by anchoring the 9 p.m. time slot . . .
Familiar CBS face Ed Asner and Penelope Ann Miller also star . . .
In addition, CBS is dragging back "Candid Camera" for the 8:30 Friday night slot starting Feb. 27 . . .
Peter Funt, son of creator Alan Funt, and Suzanne Somers will host . . .
Over at ABC, they’re giving "Soul Man" on Tuesday and "Ellen" on Wednesday a little rest. The network says "Ellen" will be back in six weeks, but "Soul Man" gets only the promise of a spring return . . .
Meanwhile, the NBC castoff "Something So Right" shows up on Tuesday, March 3, at 8:30. Set in New York, the family comedy stars "thrice-married" Mel Harris and twice-married Jere Burns. As a general rule, one should be wary of any network sitcom that uses "thrice" in its handouts . . .
Another sitcom, "These Are the Days," will premiere Tuesday, March 10, at 9:30 . . .
It’s a "reality-based ensemble comedy" from the writers-producers of "Roseanne," about a working-class couple in Queens whose lives are uprooted when down-on-their-luck family members move in for an extended stay . . .
And "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place," which was originally scheduled for Fox, starts Wednesday, March 11, at 9:30 . . .
As you might suspect, it’s about a trio who share life, love, friendship and pizza in Boston . . .
Ryan Reynolds, Richard Ruccolo and Traylor Howard have the title roles. All three are complete strangers to TV series, which should allow them to sneak out of town without the need of disguises when the roof caves in . . .
The following item is a little curled around the edges, but last Thursday’s appearance of the NBC sitcom "Just Shoot Me" as a substitute for the sad sack "Union Square" in the important 8:30 time slot proved to be impressive enough to heighten speculation that the show has a good chance to get a permanent slot on Juggernaut Night next fall, after "Seinfeld" is well gone . . .
NBC Entertainment has already rewarded the sitcom, set in a New York magazine, with a run on Thursdays starting Feb. 26 . . .
"Union’s" unforgiveable sin was losing too much of the "Friends" audience from 8 p.m. to help "Seinfeld" at 9 . . .
"JSM" turned that around big time, holding 98 percent of the "Friends" audience (an all-time holding action in that time period for NBC) while totaling up the highest ratings ever for the network in that time slot. It’s even in consideration for "Seinfeld’s" slot next fall . . .
It didn’t have quite that effect on local audiences, losing 9 percent of the "Friends" audience on WRC, though "Seinfeld" went through the roof (23.6/34) here in the next half-hour . . .
In addition, NBC will premiere two other new sitcoms next month . . .
On March 17, the Tuesday lineup gets some changes as "For Your Love," billed as a romantic comedy, debuts at 8:30 and "Lateline," a spoof of news programs starring Al Franken, steps in at 9:30 . . .
NBC will also introduce "House Rules" on Monday, March 9, in the 8:30 time slot where "Fired Up," which is already taking a nap, hasn’t done well and "Jenny" has already been canceled‚. . .
And "NewsRadio" goes back to Wednesdays at 8, replacing reruns of "3rd Rock From the Sun" . . .
