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Fall 2005-2006 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.

  New Series

Just Legal:  Jerry Bruckheimer (C.S.I. et al) strikes again, this time with possibly a more character-driven-than-usual drama centering around a 17-year-old prodigy with a law degree who goes into business with a cynical middle-aged defense lawyer.  Skip, the brainiac, played by 24-year-old Canadian actorJay Baruchel (he played the slow-witted, put-upon but plucky young boxer wanna-be in Million Dollar Baby) has been paired with former Miami Vice (22 years ago!) and Nash Bridges heartthrob Don Johnson, who could be just great in the role of the older guy.  Presumably he'll have a lot to teach his geek protégé, and let's just hope their repartee -- and relationship -- is better than the leaden dialogue and underdeveloped personalities in Bruckheimer's bevy of police procedural shows.  That's asking a lot, but Just Legal has formidable time period competition for drama-lover eyeballs with Las Vegas, Fox's new Prison Break (and in January House is moving to Mondays), so nothing should be taken for granted.  Premieres September 19th.  Update 10/1/05:  Just Legal is just so, so gone, already.       

Related:  The estrogen flows like wine -- probably more like strawberry daiquiris or some other sweet girly drink --  in this drama about the four ambitious, independent and snazzily-careered Sorelli sisters who come together to kvetch  when their widowed father decides to remarry.  There's the therapist played by Kiele Sanchez (Stuck on You, Married to the Kellys), the newly pregnant high-powered lawyer, portrayed by Jennifer Esposito (Judging Amy, Crash,Taxi, Spin City), Brit Callum Blue (Dead Like Me) as her husband, Lizzy Caplan (Mean Girls, Freaks and Geeks, Tru Calling) as the party planner with no place to crash, and relative newcomer Laura Breckinridge as the youngest sibling who can't quite make up her mind between pre-med or drama.  Ah, decisions, decisions...  Related's from one of the producers of Friends, which will either cheer you or encourage you to quick grab your hat and run for your life.  Premieres October 5th.  Update 10/19:  Scheduling updates for Related -- original episodes will move to Mondays, taking the place of the cancelled Just Legal, with encores going into the series' current Wednesday night slot.  

Supernatural:  Two brothers, played by Jensen Ackles (Smallville, Dawson's Creek, Dark Angel) and Jared Padalecki (Gilmore Girls, Flight of the Phoenix, House of Wax), go the X-Files route as they battle inhuman forces to find their missing fiend-fighting father, armed only with their wits and their dad's demon information notebook.  The two twenty-ish performers have cut their teeth on WB teen favorites and so presumably have developed their own followings, which should give a nice leg up to this spooky adventure.  Yes, this is just one of a slew of eerie entries this season, but their youthful panache and WB expertise could lift this one away from the pack; at least it might set it apart from the other hour-longs playing directly against it.  Premieres September 13th.  Update 10/12:  Supernatural has received a full-season order, thanks to decent numbered and excellent audience retention out of Gilmore Girls.  Update 10/19:  Supernatural encores will now be seen on Sunday nights at 9pm, replacing the on-hiatus Blue Collar TV.  

Twins:  The once-lovely but slightly over-plastic-surgeried Melanie Griffith (Working Girl, RKO 281) pairs with Marc Linn-Baker (Perfect Strangers, My Favorite Year) as owners of a lingerie company who want to turn over the business to their very different twin daughters.  Sara Gilbert (Roseanne, ER, 24) is cynical and wry, like her dad; Molly Stanton (Passions) flighty and vain like her mother.  The WB's looking to find a good match and a tight fit for this newest addition to their Friday comedy night; Twins could be a nice companion for What I Like About You, its lead-in.  Premieres September 16th.  Update 10/19:  Twins is moving back to 9:30pm on Fridays, replacing the on-hiatus Living With Fran.    

Returning 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.  Update 5/05:  Renewed for second season.  Update 10/19:  Blue Collar TV has been put on hiatus and replaced with repeats of the WB's successful new show Supernatural.  

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.  Update 7/04:  Renewed for a second season.  Update 7/05:  Renewed for a third season.

Midseason: