ABC bets on 'Millionaire' as Fox, CBS will roll dice
Davis, Wayans, Byrne star in Alphabet comedy skein additions
NEW YORK -- Top-rated ABC today will unveil a fall gameplan that revolves around four hours of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” while adding one drama and three comedies.
Meanwhile, CBS is putting the finishing touches on a fall sked that will add seven fresh skeins to its primetime mix, including four dramas and three comedies.
And over at Fox, which will announce its fall lineup Thursday, programmers have given the go-ahead to a slew of new series -- though it’s not yet determined which will launch in fall and which will wait until midseason.
ABC execs were keeping a tight lid on specifics of its sked, to be unveiled at Radio City Music Hall this afternoon.
What’s known: On top of the current Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday segs of the show, ABC is expected to add an hour of “Millionaire” on Wednesday. On Fridays, the Alphabet will move away from kiddiecoms to a more male-focused night of laffers.
In addition, the net will launch the season with one drama (“Gideon’s Crossing”), likely to air Tuesdays at 10 until January, when “NYPD Blue” returns.
Comic turns
Comedies to bow this fall include the Geena Davis vehicle “Lost and Found” (a cinch to follow “Dharma & Greg” on Tuesdays); the Damon Wayans domestic laffer “Wife and Kids” (headed for a Wednesday or possibly Friday berth); and either the Gabriel Byrne-led “Madigan Men” or the ensemble comedy “People Who Fear People” on Fridays.
Though last-minute changes are possible, ABC will kick off its week with “20/20 Downtown” and “Monday Night Football.”
On Tuesdays, “Millionaire” is expected to stay at 8, followed by “Dharma & Greg,” “Lost & Found” and “Gideon’s.”
If late buzz holds true, “The Drew Carey Show” could move to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, with “Millionaire” at 9 and “Once and Again” replacing “20/20” at 10. “Spin City” will probably land at 8:30 p.m., though a Friday berth has been talked about. If “Spin” segues to Friday, “Wife and Kids” is expected to land the post- “Drew” spot.
Thursdays should remain stable with “Whose Line Is It Anyway” leading into “Millionaire” and a Diane Sawyer-led “20/20 Primetime.”
ABC’s exact Friday plans were still fuzzy late Monday, but “Two Guys and a Girl” is a decent bet to lead off the night. After that, look for some combo of “Norm,” “Wife and Kids” and either “Madigan” or “People” to fill the remaining 90 minutes of ABC’s new male-friendly comedy block.
Saturdays and Sundays should stay stable.
Eye for eclectic
As for CBS, Eye execs have picked up an eclectic mix of dramas, including the Vegas-set actioner “CSI”; the Craig T. Nelson crime story “The District”; a big-budget remake of the classic skein “The Fugitive”; and “That’s Life,” a feel-good hour about a thirtysomething woman (Heather Paige Kent).
On the comedy front, net is skedding the Bette Midler-fronted “Bette”; the Christine Baranski-led “Mr. New York”; and the Mike O’Malley-Anthony Clark buddycom “Yes, Dear.”
CBS doesn’t announce its grid until Wednesday, but most industry insiders are already betting the Eye will go for an hour of comedies Wednesday 8-9 p.m. “Bette” and “Mr. New York” are the faves for the slot, but there’s a chance CBS could move “Becker” into the leadoff Wednesday position as well.
Monday drama “Family Law” has been renewed for 2000-01; whether it will stay where it is or set up practice on another night is a question mark.
“The Fugitive” is being mentioned as a strong Friday 8 p.m. candidate.
Fox’s fall frame
Meanwhile, industry insiders said Fox has made commitments to nearly a dozen new shows, including midseason replacements.
Dramas set to bow next season include David E. Kelley’s school-based “Boston Public”; the thrillfest “Fearsum” from the folks who brought you “Blair Witch Project”; the horror anthology “Night Visions”; Darren Star’s sex-and-stocks sudser “The Street”; and the James Cameron sci-fi thrill ride “Dark Angel.”
More likely for midseason is the “X-Files” spinoff “The Lone Gunmen.” It’s not yet certain “X-Files” will be back, although most indications are that it will.
On the comedy side, Fox has said yes to the gay dad laffer “Don’t Ask”; and comic Robert Schimmel’s half-hour. The Bill Martin/Mike Schiff-penned comedy “Grounded for Life” will launch midseason, while “The Tick” is also expected to get a late start.
