UPN reseasons sked
Some series bowing early to avoid fall rush
Netlet has decided to bow its most-anticipated frosh contender, the pro wrestling franchise "WWF Smackdown!," on Thursday, Aug. 26, nearly a full month before the season officially begins on Sept. 20.
Some of UPN's remodeled Monday block of urban comedies will likely get an even earlier start, launching Aug. 23. UPN is airing the Source Hip-Hop Awards on Friday, Aug. 20, and the two-hour kudofest gives the netlet a perfect platform in which to promote the new Monday sked.
Another key UPN frosh, the already-controversial laffer "Shasta McNasty, will bow during the third week of the season but will be sneak previewed on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 9:30 p.m. UPN will shrink the two-hour "WWF Smackdown!" to 90 minutes that week to give the male-appeal "McNasty" a wrestling lead-in.
Other UPN new and returning series will debut on a staggered basis in September, with some skeins expected to bow as late as mid-October.
Most ABC, CBS and NBC shows are likely to launch during premiere week, with Fox holding back several programs until November, December and January. ABC may bow its Thursday lineup Sept. 16, before the start of the season, to give its new sked a chance at viewer sampling before the return of NBC's dominant Thursday shows.
UPN topper Dean Valentine will announce the netlet's complete fall rollout strategy today during a sesh with journos attending the semiannual Television Critics Assn. press tour in Pasadena.
Valentine will also announce a name change for the "Moesha" spinoff formerly known as "Mo'Nique." Laffer is now titled "The Parkers" to better reflect the show's focus on a mother-daughter relationship.
