Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Baiting And Switching

I'd apologize for some of the recent mistakes I've had in my Best Bets sections, but you know something, it's not really my fault.

I check the pre-printed TV page in The Telegraph for new episodes, and cross-check them with TVGuide.com to make sure what is listed is what is correct.

But these days, because of the strike, networks are constantly pulling new episodes so that they will have their new stuff to air during sweeps next month.

I don't mind that strategy, but there's really no point in waiting to the last minute to pull an episode that is already advertised as new. CBS did this for the umpteenth time last night once more with "NCIS," while ABC re-aired the pilot of "Cashmere Mafia" (a show they've chosen to send me no advance materials for, never a good sign) last night instead of "Boston Legal."

The big things on the networks - the return of "Lost," for example - and the reality shows are pretty safe, because the networks are promoting the heck out of those. But all I can say is set your DVRs with a grain of salt as to other network offerings.

COMING TOMORROW: I took part in the conference call for "The Sarah Conner Chronicles" with star Lena Headey earlier this week and I'll have a recap for the loyal dozens. I was hoping Fox would send me a pilot for review, but it's looking like I'll have to wait until Sunday like everyone else.

WEDNESDAY'S BETS: One thing you can count on schedule-wise is PBS, which offers viewers a couple of insightful documentaries tonight. The first, "Pioneers of Television" (PBS, 8 p.m.) looks at late-night TV through the years, certainly a timely topic of late.

The second, "The Jewish Americans" (PBS, 9 p.m.) is the first of a three-part examining the roles of Jews in American history, covering everyone from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Hasidic rap star Matisyahu.

As for the networks, a bunch of so-called reality tonight, plus some dramatic shows. CBS will supposedly offer new installments of "Criminal Minds" and "CSI: NY," but they may not, either. ABC is airing the second episode of "Cashmere Mafia," (ABC, 10 p.m.) the "Sex & The City" rip-off from SATC producer Darren Star.

NBC returns new episodes of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" followed by the original "L&O" beginning at 9 p.m. "Gossip Girl" (CW, 9 p.m.) is also new.

By the way, I forgot to note over the weekend the return of Showtime's "The L Word." You can catch a rerun of the season premiere tonight at 8 p.m.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Phillip - thanks for mentioning the wonderful PBS Documentary premiering tonight, "The Jewish Americans". I hear it's supposed to be excellent and my wife and I are looking forward to it.

A small 'correction on the supposed return of ALL NEW "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" episodes to NBC. They are in fact NOT new. They are re-airing the episodes that only aired on USA in the Fall.

It's an intelligent Marketing strategy for NBC, plus, there are the occasional homes in America that don't still have Cable - so it's new to those folks. But they aren't actually 'new'.

Phillip Ramati said...

I stand corrected on CI, though NBC is certainly promoting it as new.

BTW, I should have mentioned Liev Schreiber is narrating the documentary.