Its no coincidence that NBC announced a change in their TV schedule after FOX decided to keep the follow-up results show of American Idol on Wednesday, instead of moving to Thursday as many thought they might do.
It had been thought that FOX would stay away from the 9pm Wednesday slot due to the success of ABC’s Lost -the only show that could dent American Idol’s solid winning ways. And they did, in a way. Instead of keeping That 70's Show and Stacked at the 8pm slot and then air the AI results show at 9pm, FOX will move those to shows to Thursday’s at 9. FOX will move AI to 8pm and move Bones from Tuesday’s to the sacrificial 9pm slot on Wednesday, opposite Lost.
This could, however, give FOX a solid lead in the ever important 18-49 demographic for the network for the first three days of the week. Monday’s will have Prison Break (which will return March 20 after the reality show knock-off of ABC's hit show Dancing with the Stars called Skating With the Stars ends it run) followed by a no repeat season of 24. Tuesday will lead-off with American Idol, followed by the very successful House. American Idol’s results show will start Wednesday, followed by the aftermentioned Bones. Now while the result show does not get the high ratings as the first one, it still draws in a significant young audience, which might now stick around for Bones. But, I'm sure, ABC has no worries.
Now NBC is getting into switching things on its once powerful Thursday schedule. They will bench the disappointing Joey beginning in January (the show should return in late March, but will probably be moved to Tuesday, where it should die quietly). The Peacock network will return to its late 80's halcyon days of 4 comedies between 8-10 pm, followed by ER. Will & Grace (in its last season) will now take over the lead spot on Thursday, followed by Four Kings, which comes from the creators of said W & G. The new hit My Name is Earl and critical darling -but low-rated - The Office will move from Tuesday to Thursday and anchor the 9pm hour.
Scrubs -perhaps the best comedy on TV now that Arrested Development has been cancelled - will finally return January 5, with back-to-back episodes at 9pm until they return Joey in late March to finish off what should be the Friends spin-offs final episodes, sandwiched between Fear Factor and The Biggest Loser -which will be more stand-alone than the competition based as previous editions have been.
NBC will also debut its newest fantasy show -The Book of Daniel in January. Aidan Quinn will star as Reverend Daniel Webster, an unconventional Episcopalian minister who not only believes in Jesus - he actually sees him and discusses life with him. Webster is challenged on many levels as he struggles to be a good husband, father and minister, while trying to control a nagging addiction to prescription painkillers, and an often rocky relationship with the church hierarchy, led by Bishop Beatrice and Roger Paxton, a senior warden of the parish and stalwart churchgoer. The reverend also has loving, but challenging relationships with his three children: Peter, his 23-year-old gay son; Grace, his 16-year-old daughter who doesn't try to push her father's buttons but succeeds at it nonetheless; and Adam, his 16-year-old adopted Chinese son, a handsome and cocky high school jock. Keeping Webster grounded is his strong and loving wife Judith-- who is fighting her own fondness for mid-day martinis -- as well as Jesus, whose frequent chats with Daniel remind him of his strengths and weaknesses.
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