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Fall 2004-2005 WB TV Network Programming Schedule

 Descriptions and Analysis

New Series in blue.

Click on underlined titles for information.

Here's the link to the WB's Fall Schedule website.

*Sunday: 5p One Tree Hill - encore, 6p The Mountain - encore

Midseason:  Big Man on Campus, Global Frequency, Rocky Point, Shacking Up, Wannabes, Brush Nash Project

  New Series

Blue Collar TV:  WB goes further into down-home Reba country with this new half-hour sketch comedy show based on the popular Blue Collar Comedy Tour.  The BCTV rep company consists of long-time stand-up favorites Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, and Larry the Cable Guy, along with Heath Hyche and Canadian improv veteran Peter Oldring. The WB obviously senses plenty of green amongst the rednecks; BCCT couldn't be further from the moody sensitive dramas that so many young people turn to on the network.  Just like the campaign that's gussying-up NASCAR's good 'ol boy image for more mainstream appeal, so goes southern-fried humor this fall on the WB.  Update 8/23/04:  Already a hit during its summer preview run, BCTV has already been handed a full 22-episode season order.  

Commando Nanny:  You can't deny that Mark Burnett has changed the face of recent television -- blame him for Survivor, The Apprentice, The Restaurant, and for every other non-Burnett wanna-be reality knock-off -- but he's certainly no fake in terms of been there, done that.  Once a paratrooper in the British army, Burnett's Commando Nanny is based on his real-life experience as an ex-military-man-turned-Beverly Hills nanny.  Philip Winchester (Thunderbirds) stars as the Burnett-inspired character, Gerald McRaney (Major Dad, Simon & Simon) as the rich guy who hires him to shape up his brood, along with Kristin Bauer (Dark Angel) as the wife.  This Mr. Belvedere-on-steroids doesn't sound like anything new, and I'm sure anybody who's ever watched about an hour of any sitcom could probably predict the jokes, but America seems never to tire of even tired family sitcoms.  Premiere Date:  9/17/04.  Update 8/20/04:  Ouch!  Thespian Philip Winchester is out as the Nanny, and actor Owain Yeoman is in, all because of a broken foot Philip received in a recent accident.  Well, so much for big breaks -- it's the small ones that really get you!  Update 8/23/04:  The dark cloud news of no more of The Chris Isaak Show on Showtime has yielded a silver lining, finally!  TCIS co-star Kristin Datillo has landed on Commando Nanny.  Datillo is a talented light comedienne and now I guess I have to root for this one, for her sake.  Can't think of any other reason to watch it, of course....  Update 8/31/04:  Co-star Gerald McRaney will be out with his own health problems, thus delaying the launch of Commando Nanny.  This, of course, when Philip Winchester has already been replaced because of his health trouble, but in hindsight there would have been plenty of time for both to recover.  Pretty unfortunate all around and it doesn't exactly get the show off to a zingy start.  Repeats of Grounded For Life will continue in the time period until CN's launch.

Drew Carey's Green Screen Show:  Oh, god...more improv...!  DCGSS takes the concept a step further by having postproduction animation added via the green screen effect to the live improv to create a new and different experience.  I always think that improv performers have a lot more fun than those watching them -- probably a safe bet -- but Carey seems fond of the genre and we'll see if this twist is enough to make this is keeper for WB.  

Jack and Bobby:  This one's already been anointed as one of the Important Dramas to watch this year.  Christine Lahti (Chicago Hope, Housekeeping) stars as a strong-willed single mother raising her two teenage sons, one of whom will grow up to be President.  Using flash-forward segments set during his administration but grounded in the present, Jack and Bobby will examine the forces that come together to set these lives on their path to destiny.   Logan Lerman (The Butterfly Effect) and Matt Long star as the brothers; co-starring are French-Canadian actress Jessica Pare, John Slattery (Ed), and Edwin Hodge (Boston Public).  Ms. Lahti's always a strong and watchable presence; if her credibility anchors and bolsters the teenage drama, Jack and Bobby could indeed be the quality show to beat this season.  From the minds who brought you such shows as The West Wing, Everwood, Dawson's Creek and Ally McBeal, but unfortunately scheduled against the other Important Drama this season over on ABC, Desperate Housewives.  Premiere Date:  9/12/04.  Update 8/24/04:  Acting veteran Paul Sorvino has been signed for recurring guest appearances on this much-anticipated time-shifting drama.  

The Mountain:  It's Dynasty in ski boots when a 25-year-old black sheep -- i.e. ultra-handsome and rich but rebellious -- grandson, played by Oliver Hudson (Goldie Hawn's son, Kate's brother, Dawson's Creek) unexpectedly inherits a faltering but still mighty posh mountain resort when his grandfather dies.   Anson Mount (Line of Fire, Third Watch) co-stars as the grandson who didn't get the hotel, and Barbara Hershey (Chicago Hope, The Right Stuff) is their mother.  Producer/director McG no doubt hopes that The Mountain emulates his other show The O.C., not his other other one Fastlane which died a couple of years ago.  Giving credit where it's due, McG and his producing partners have revived an old genre for a new generation of viewers.  There's truly nothing new under the sun...er, snow!  Premiere Date:  9/22/04.      

The WB's Studio 7:  It's two, two, two genres in one!  Part quiz show, part reality show, a septet of TV-friendly young contestants live together in Manhattan deluxe digs while preparing for their grueling question and answer test.  It's Real World meets The Weakest Link, clearly designed to make young viewers gather 'round the set and imagine how they'd perform under the same circumstances.  More a graft than an entirely new species, at the very least Studio 7 might play on contemporary audiences' complete in-ness with the whole being-on-TV experience.  Or it could just be insufferable.  Update 8/24/04:  This one's been a big dud for WB this summer, and it probably won't be around come fall.  

One Tree Hill:  OTH has moved into Fearless' fall Tuesday night timeslot, and the emphasis has changed from kick-ass grrls to adolescent guys with the addition of this high-school basketball drama to the schedule. At the heart of the tale are two teenage boys -- one rich and popular, one poor and brooding -- and the secret that they share:  they have the same father.  These at-odds mystery half-brothers play basketball on the same team, are sweet on the same girl, and have plenty of time to explore the complex nature of their new-found relationship/rivalry.  Chad Michael Murray (Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, Freaky Friday) is Lucas, the kid from the wrong side of the court; James Lafferty (Once and Again) plays privileged Nathan.  MTV VJ (Total Request Live) Hilarie Burton is their mutual sweetheart, with thesp vets Barry Corbin, Craig Sheffer, Moira Kelly, and Paul Johansson around to provide the adult supervision.  From the folks that brought you Smallville, One Tree Hill's guy duo may have the requisite hottie chops to keep the Gilmore Girls fans tuned in, and the court action could admit some young gentleman to the audience.  Premiere Date 9/23/03.  Review and Update 10/21/03:  Despite early episodes that were zinged for being just a tad too basketball-oriented, One Tree Hill has settled down into another well-produced WB young people's drama, complete with loads of heartfelt rock music and extremely photogenic performers.  It's a soap opera, no doubt, but if you're don't mind seeing this age-old plot come around again, it's well-produced and Chad Michael Murray is plenty heartfelt as the left-out Nathan.  Moira Kelly's good, too, as his mom who refuses to beg for the respect -- and financial support -- that's due her from Nathan's rich dad.  All the other adults are fairly well drawn too, so it's not painful to take a look at this if you're over 35, but it IS a high school-oriented show, after all.  One Tree Hill is not half bad.  Update 11/7/03:  WB has given One Tree Hill a full season order, citing its critical reception and growing buzz.

Steve Harvey's Big Time:  Popular comedian/actor Steve Harvey returns to the WB in this throwback to TV's gentler age concept, a primetime reality/talk/variety show where real people are the stars.  Does he want to be the post-Millennium Art Linkletter?  From watching a clip, it sure looks that way.  Sounds a lot like Real People from the late '70s, too.  Goodness  knows the reality genre has taken a beating the past year or so with increasingly desperate formats, and a little sunshine couldn't hurt.  Harvey's likeability will help this agreeable outing make its mark, but don't expect anything too big from Steve Harvey's Big Time, considering it will be up against the Survivor/Friends behemoth.  The only thing I worry about -- are there actually any real people left in America?  Premiere Date 9/11/03.

Midseason:

Big Man on Campus:  It's a new reality show, and yep, it's exactly what it sounds like.  Beautiful sorority sisters pick their BMOC, then he turns around and gets to pick his Campus Queen from the same girls who passed judgment on him.  Criticism of the genre is pointless, so we'll just say that you are what you watch.  

Global Frequency:  Based on the DC comic about a top-secret under-the-radar intelligence agency that enlists average people to help solve global crimes.

Rocky Point:  Young woman living on Hawaii's North Shore takes in her estranged father.  

Shacking Up:  24-year-old moves back home with his mom played by Fran Drescher (The Nanny) and her 24-year-old boyfriend.

Wannabes:  Beautiful girls try to make it in Hollywood, with a role on a WB show the ultimate prize.  TV's fascination with outward appearances is getting to be tiresome, and why do I think it's not exactly teaching people that looks aren't everything?  But hey, show business is a hard-knock life, and this bevy of gals will do whatever it takes to be the one who makes it.  How could it be otherwise?  

Brush Nash Project