CBS upgrades Tom Selleck drama 'Blue Bloods' to Wednesdays in midseason shift

December 21, 2010?|? 6:45 pm

CBS, the No. 1 network this fall, is revamping its schedule for midseason.?

"Blue Bloods," the police drama starring Tom Selleck, will get a four-week tryout at 10 p.m. Wednesdays starting Jan. 19, the network said Tuesday. While the show will move back into its Friday night slot after that, the network has high hopes for "Blue Bloods," the second-most-watched new drama this season after CBS' "Hawaii Five-o."

Starting Feb. 16, "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior" will premiere in the 10 p.m. Wednesday slot. The crime series is a spin-off of "Criminal Minds," one of CBS' biggest hits.

"The Defenders," the legal drama with Jerry O'Connell and Jim Belushi, will move to the quiet zone of 8 p.m. Fridays starting Feb. 4.

CBS will also unfurl a couple new series: the sitcom "Mad Love" (starting Feb. 21), headed for the Monday comedy block, and "Chaos," a one-hour comedy-drama (April 1) slated for Fridays. "Mad Love" will be replacing "Rules of Engagement," which is headed to Thursdays to be paired with "Big Bang Theory." "$#*! My Dad Says," which had been in that slot, will have completed its first-season order.?

“We’re in the fortunate position of having a schedule with many successful shows and very few holes,” Kelly Kahl, senior executive vice president of prime time for CBS, said in a statement.? “This allows us to be very targeted with our mid-season series. ?These are moves that maintain the core stability of a successful schedule, while giving us multiple looks for the future at a few time periods.”

— Scott Collins (Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT)

Photo: Tom Selleck in "Blue Bloods." Credit: Marni Grossman/CBS.

?

?

?

?

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured site: So, Why is Wikileaks a Good Thing Again?.

View the original article here

Wednesday's Talk Shows

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Dec. 19 - 25 in PDF format

TV listings for the week of Dec. 19 - 25 in PDF format (alternate link)

Weekly TV Listings can also be found at: www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv

This week's TV Movies

---

The Early Show Oprah Winfrey; Jason Segel and Jack Black; chef Michael Symon. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS?

Today Voices of Destiny perform; Molly O'Neill; Jason Segel; Aaron Neville; Jason Denton. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC?

Good Morning America (N) 7 a.m. KABC?

Rachael Ray Kris Jenner. (N) 9 a.m. KCBS?

Live With Regis and Kelly A look back at festive moments from the show over the years includes a performance by 'N Sync. (N) 9 a.m. KABC?

The View Amanda Peet; El DeBarge. (N) 10 a.m. KABC?

The Talk Wayne Brady. 1 p.m. KCBS?

The Nate Berkus Show A design personality quiz; holiday decorating on a budget; creating a holiday table. (N) 2 p.m. KNBC?

The Oprah Winfrey Show Susan Boyle, 10-year-old Jackie Evancho; Debby Boone. 3 p.m. KABC?

Dr. Phil How easily a good person can be drawn to the dark side. 4 p.m. KCBS?

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Taylor Swift. 4 p.m. KNBC?

The Dr. Oz Show Hormones and insomnia; constipation; beauty products. 5 p.m. KTTV?

Tavis Smiley Author Wendell Potter; musician El DeBarge. (N) 7 and 11 p.m. KCET?

Chelsea Lately Crystal Bowersox. (N) 11 p.m. E!

Conan Jack Black; artist Erika Nelson; Jimmie Vaughan. (N) 11 p.m. TBS?

Charlie Rose (N) 11:30 p.m. KCET?

Late Show With David Letterman Denis Leary; Grace Potter & the Nocturnals perform. (N) 11:35 p.m. KCBS?

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno Javier Bardem; Jarod Miller; Naturally 7 with the Agape International Choir. (N) 11:35 p.m. KNBC?

Lopez Tonight Hailee Steinfeld; Filter. (N) midnight TBS?

Jimmy Kimmel Live Dan Aykroyd. 12:06 a.m. KABC?

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson Michael Clarke Duncan; TVGrant Imahara. (N) 12:37 a.m. KCBS?

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Ethan Hawke; Gillian Jacobs; José Feliciano. (N) 12:37 a.m. KNBC

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured site: So, Why is Wikileaks a Good Thing Again?.

View the original article here

Wednesday's TV Highlights 'The 12th Annual A Home for the Holidays' on CBS

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Dec. 19 - 25 in PDF format

TV listings for the week of Dec. 19 - 25 in PDF format (alternate link)

Weekly TV Listings can also be found at: www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv

This week's TV Movies

---

?

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Katy Perry performs in “The 12th Annual A Home for the Holidays” at 8 p.m. on CBS.

SERIES

Undercovers: Steven and Samantha (Boris Kodjoe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw) must recover stolen American currency plates before they are used by a terrorist to make counterfeit money in this new episode (8 p.m. NBC).?

The Middle: Much to Mike's (Neil Flynn) dismay, Frankie's (Patricia Heaton) parents (Marsha Mason, Jerry Van Dyke) come to town to spend the holidays (8 p.m. ABC).?

Modern Family: Claire and Haley (Julie Bowen, Sarah Hyland) share some quality time when they are stuck at home sick, while Phil (Ty Burrell) is driven nuts by the chirp of a smoke detector in this repeat (9 p.m. ABC).?

The Defenders: When he considers taking what appears to be a simple arson case, Nick (Jim Belushi) soon realizes the client could be convicted of first-degree murder in this repeat (10 p.m. CBS).?

Biography: John Belushi is profiled in this new episode (10 p.m. Biography).?

Top Chef: For the quick-fire challenge, the remaining chefs must create a holiday stuffing dish using no utensils, just their own two hands (10 p.m. Bravo).?

Psych: Shawn and Gus must use Yang's knowledge to save a kidnapped woman from Yin, in the season finale (10 p.m. USA).?

MOVIES

Gift of the Magi: Marla Sokoloff and Mark Webber star in this 2010 holiday treat (8 p.m. Hallmark).?

SPORTS

Tennis: Match for Africa: Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal: Exhibition, from Madrid, Spain. (10 a.m. ESPN2).?

College basketball: Texas at Michigan State (4 p.m. ESPN2); Missouri at Illinois (6 p.m. ESPN2); Xavier at Gonzaga (8 p.m. ESPN2); Kansas at California (8 p.m. FSN).?

College football: Maaco Bowl Las Vegas: Boise State vs. Utah (5 p.m. ESPN).?

Pro basketball: The Houston Rockets visit the Clippers (7:30 p.m. FS Prime).

Photo: Eric McCandless / Triage

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured site: So, Why is Wikileaks a Good Thing Again?.

View the original article here

Monday's Highlights: 'Million Dollar Money Drop' on Fox

Hoarders: After growing up with a mother who was an inveterate hoarder a 19-year-old man realizes he must get his own hoarding under control if he want to have a ‘normal' life, in this new episode (10 p.m. A&E).?

Men of a Certain Age: Joe (Ray Romano) finds himself dating two women, a situation he isn't sure how to handle and Terry (Scott Bakula) makes a bet with another salesman over which of them can move more cars in this new episode (10 p.m. TNT).?

SPECIALS

Martha and the Christmas Tree: In the first of six planned episodes of this new animated series, a ten-year-old Martha Stewart, and her friends enter the annual Bedford Falls tree trimming contest (7 p.m. Hallmark).?

MOVIES

The Special Relationship: HBO reprises a some of its best 2010 TV movies beginning with Michael Sheen, Dennis Quaid in “The Special Relationship” (7:30 p.m.); Claire Danes and Catherine O'Hara in “Temple Grandin” (9 p.m.) and Al Pacino and Susan Sarandon in “You Don't Know Jack” (11 p.m.).?

SPORTS

Basketball: The Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Clippers (7:30 p.m. FS Prime).

Photo: Michael Yarish / Fox

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured site: So, Why is Wikileaks a Good Thing Again?.

View the original article here

Monday's Talk Show

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Dec. 19 - 25 in PDF format

TV listings for the week of Dec. 19 - 25 in PDF format (alternate link)

Weekly TV Listings can also be found at: www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv

This week's TV Movies

---

The Early Show “Survivor: Nicaragua” winner; Barry Manilow. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS?

Today Jack McBrayer; Brian Boitano; Liz Vaccariello. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC?

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA?

Good Morning America (N) 7 a.m. KABC?

Live With Regis and Kelly 9 a.m. KABC?

The View Sherri Shepherd entertains the troops at Fort Hood, Texas. (N) 10 a.m. KABC?

The Nate Berkus Show Last-minute shopping secrets; decorating for Christmas without going broke; feeding a holiday party. (N) 2 p.m. KNBC?

The Oprah Winfrey Show Oprah shares more of her favorite things with her audience; Josh Groban and Johnny Mathis. (Part 2 of 2) 3 p.m. KABC?

Dr. Phil Parents say they do not approve of their 19-year-old daughter's lifestyle. 4 p.m. KCBS?

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Justin Timberlake. 4 p.m. KNBC?

The Dr. Oz Show Plastic surgery for skin-problem areas; a procedure to eliminate jowls; skin tags. 5 p.m. KTTV?

Tavis Smiley Authors Robert Putnam and Nassim Taleb. (N) 7 and 11 p.m. KCET?

Conan Aaron Eckhart; Mary Lynn Rajskub; Beach House. (N) 11 p.m. TBS?

Charlie Rose (N) 11:30 p.m. KCET?

Late Show With David Letterman Jack Black; sportscaster Marv Albert. (N) 11:35 p.m. KCBS?

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno Larry King; Garrett Hedlund; Pink Martini. (N) 11:35 p.m. KNBC?

Lopez Tonight Xzibit; Cirque du Soleil performs. (N) midnight TBS?

Jimmy Kimmel Live Kevin Spacey (“Casino Jack”); Olivia Wilde (“TRON: Legacy”); the Goo Goo Dolls. 12:06 a.m. KABC?

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson Kristin Davis; Dick Cavett. (N) 12:37 a.m. KCBS?

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Jason Segel; Hailee Steinfeld. (N) 12:37 a.m. KNBC

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured site: So, Why is Wikileaks a Good Thing Again?.

View the original article here

Weekend Talk Shows

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Dec. 19 - 25 in PDF format

TV listings for the week of Dec. 19 - 25 in PDF format (alternate link)

Weekly TV Listings can also be found at: www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv

This week's TV Movies

---

SATURDAY

Good Morning America (N) 7 a.m. KABC?

McLaughlin Group (N) 6:30 p.m. KCET?

The Chris Matthews Show Howard Fineman, Huffington Post; Norah O'Donnell, NBC; Joe Klein, Time; and Katty Kay, BBC. (N) 5:30 a.m. KNBC

SUNDAY

Today Rockettes; Norah O'Donnell. (N) 6 a.m. KNBC?

Good Morning America (N) 6 a.m. KABC?

State of the Union With Candy Crowley The GOP agenda: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). The U.S. Postal System: Fredric Rolando, National Assn, of Letter Carriers. 6 and 9 a.m. CNN?

CBS News Sunday Morning Matt Damon; profile of David Sedaris. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS?

Fareed Zakaria GPS Remembering Richard C. Holbrooke: Leslie Gelb, Council on Foreign Relations; Vali Nasr, Tufts University; Joe Klein, Time. 7 and 10 a.m. CNN?

Meet the Press Vice President Joe Biden; Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory A. Booker; political advisor Mark McKinnon; Andrea Mitchell; Joe Scarborough. (N) 8 a.m. KNBC?

This Week With Christiane Amanpour Unfinished business in the lame-duck Congress: Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.); Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.). Infant nutrition: Rajiv Shah, USAID administrator. Panel: Chrystia Freeland; Rajiv Chandrasekaran; Donna Brazile; George Will. (N) 8 a.m. KABC?

Fox News Sunday With Chris Wallace Lame duck legislation: START treaty; “don't ask, don't tell” repeal: Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.); Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.); Virginia's legal challenge to health care bill: Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-Va.). Panel: Kevin Madden; William Kristol; Mara Liasson. (N) 8 a.m. KTTV?

Reliable Sources Coverage of the tax cut cmpromise; Sarah Palin on television; Boehner's emotional interviews: Katrina Vanden Heuvel, the Nation; Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review; Alex Wagner, Politics Daily. Race and journalism: Soledad O'Brien, CNN. Facebook and journalism: Ian Shapira, the Washington Post. 8 a.m. CNN?

Face the Nation Afghanistan; 2011: Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.); Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.); Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). (N) 8:30 a.m. KCBS?

60 Minutes Extraordinary memory. (N) 7 p.m. KCBS?

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured site: So, Why is Wikileaks a Good Thing Again?.

View the original article here

'Big Bang' recap: A Festivus of one-liners

December 17, 2010?|?11:22 am

?
CBS is the “one-liner network” –- my motto, not theirs –- but the folks there?would be hard-pressed to dispute that assessment. They’ve ridden it right to first place in the ratings. Thing is, it gets the network no respect. One critic said NBC shows tend to be smart but not funny. CBS, he says, features shows that are funny but not smart. Funny rules.

"The Big Bang Theory" is the network’s smartest sitcom, and when it’s “on,” as on Thursday, it has Seinfeldian overtones: great banter, character-based humor and the sense that you’re watching one long hilarious skit when in fact it’s a carefully crafted little story with a solid beginning/middle/end.

The boys’ goal this time is to win the New Year’s Eve costume contest at the comic book store. Their secret weapon is brainless male bimbo Zack, who is back dating Penny again. Complications ensue when Penny reveals that she’d rather be spending New Year’s Eve with Leonard. But at the stroke of midnight, she kisses Zack instead, leaving Leonard alone and baffled.

This may be my favorite episode of the season -– full of fine writing and acting, over far too soon. Only Jim Parsons could get such a big laugh at the long knock on the door to Penny’s apartment. Preston Sturges or Billy Wilder would’ve been proud of that moment and maybe several others in this rippingly funny episode. It’s a Festivus of world-class one-liners.

?Way to go, Ye Gang of Bang. When you guys are on like this, this little show is a real gift.

?--Chris Erskine

Photo: The cast wins the New Year's costume party -- well, everyone but Leonard. Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured site: So, Why is Wikileaks a Good Thing Again?.

View the original article here