Media Musings - Johnny Betts' 2004 CBS Primetime Preview
By Johnny Betts, Moviegoer Advocate
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All times are Central. Why? Because that's *my* time zone, chico.
SUNDAY
60 Minutes (6:00 PM) - I refuse to watch anything with Andy Rooney. How old's the
guy, 138? He should've retired a LONG time ago. Who needs to watch the personification of death on TV every
week?
Cold Case (7:00 PM) - It's not a bad show, although the music feels a little out of
place at times. But it's not part of my regular viewing schedule. Premieres 10/3.
CBS Movie (8:00 PM) - Original CBS movies and miniseries. There may be a couple of
decent movies in the lot (a four-hour Elvis miniseries will air), but I'm sure it'll mostly be cheesy chick
flicks starring Sela Ward and Mary Louise Parker.
MONDAY
Still Standing (7:00 PM) - Sorry, but Mark Addy doesn't draw me to the TV. This is
its third year? Weird. Premiered 9/20.
Listen Up (7:30 PM) - Listen up, this will be known as yet another failed Jason
Alexander sitcom. This time he's a sports talk host, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner is his sidekick. Will it
manage to last more than a season? The odds are against it. Premiered 9/20.
Everybody Loves Raymond (8:00 PM) - You should know by now whether you love Raymond
or not. He's all right, but by no means do I love the guy or the show. Premiered 9/20.
Two and a Half Men (8:30 PM) - Charlie Sheen can be funny (and his character wears some
shirts very similar to mine, so says my mother), but this is one of those shows I don't have time to mess with.
Premiered 9/20.
CSI: Miami (9:00 PM) - Pales in comparison to the original CSI, but I tune in
every week because Emily Proctor is irresistible. Oh that Southern accent! Plus, the cheesy computer stuff is
worth making fun of. Premiered 9/20.
TUESDAY
NCIS (7:00 PM) - I watched it once last year, but that was it. It wasn't bad, but
there are only so many CSI-esque shows I can watch! Other than that, Sasha Alexander is hot and Mark Harmon has
gray hair. Premieres 9/28.
Clubhouse (8:00 PM) - It's a drama about a 16-year-old kid who becomes the batboy for
the New York Empires. Dean Cain stars as the team's captain. I love baseball, so I may give it a one-episode
trial, but I'll be surprised if I find myself getting entrenched in the storyline of a 16-year-old batboy. My sister
might love it though. The Empires? Come on. Premieres 9/28.
Judging Amy (9:00 PM) - I've already judged Amy, and I've ruled that I have no interest
in watching her every week. I absolutely hate the commercial where she says something like, "I - judging, you -
shutting up." Somebody needs to shut up all right. Premieres 9/28.
WEDNESDAY
60 Minutes (7:00 PM) - Do we really need TWO 60 Minutes? I sure don't.
King of Queens (8:00 PM) - Sometimes funny, but it's not on my must-see list. I must
admit, Leah Remini has her own style of appeal. Premieres 9/29.
Center of the Universe (8:30 PM) - John Goodman and Jean Smart star as husband and
wife. Of course, they're surrounded by oddball family members and thus, hijinks ensue. Tell you what, if you're
a Goodman fan then I'll let you watch it and tell me what you think. Premieres 9/29.
CSI: New York (9:00 PM) - Bring on Gary Senise and lots of blue filtering! New York
is gray and gritty you know. I'm a CSI fan, so I'll definitely be tuning in. I hope it keeps things fresh. It
looks like it'll be better than CSI: Miami but I predict it won't reach the level of the
original CSI. Premieres 9/22.
THURSDAY
Survivor - Vanuatu(7:00 PM) - I DON'T CARE! Premiered 9/16.
CSI (8:00 PM) - Currently my favorite show on TV. If you haven't watched it, then
you should. Marg Helgenberger knows how to wear a pair of pants! Premieres 9/23.
Without a Trace (9:00 PM) - This is actually a pretty good show. I don't watch it
every week, but I take a look every now and then. If you're a Young Riders fan, then there's always a
chance you'll catch a quick glimpse of Ty Miller as the computer tech. Don't blink though. Premieres 9/23.
FRIDAY
Joan of Arcadia (7:00 PM) - Haven't seen it, and I don't care to. Premieres 9/24.
JAG (8:00 PM) - I think this show is starting its 34th season. It's been on forever,
and I'm a little surprised. I don't watch it, but Mr. Shade claims it's good. Premieres 9/24.
dr. vegas (9:00 PM) - Well, Rob Lowe wasn't able to find success as a lawyer, so he'll
give it a shot as a doctor - in Las Vegas. Sounds hokey to me. But its unconventionality could be its saving
grace. Doubt it though, not on Friday. And why are shows starting to drop capitalization?? Is that the new
fad? Joe Pantoliano also stars. Premieres 9/24.
SATURDAY
Amazing Race (7:00 PM) - I DON'T CARE! Premieres 9/25.
Crimetime Saturday (8:00 PM) - Repeats of the different CSI and Cold Case type
shows. Apparently CBS isn't overflowing with creativity at the moment.
48 Hours Mystery (9:00 PM) - I like real-life mysteries, so I'm gonna give this a
look. Premieres 9/25.
Overall, CBS offers stronger programming than ABC. For one thing, they offer more
dramas and less silly sitcoms. Of course, my main recommendation is the original CSI, but chances are
you've seen it at some point. Give Without a Trace a look if you're tired of ER. 48 Hours
has been around a long time, but this 48 Hours Mystery looks promising.
As far as new shows go, there's not a lot here that excites me. Check out CSI: New York, and if you're a
baseball fan, then Clubhouse MAY be worth a look. If you have special insight on any of these shows, then
let me know. This is merely my opinion, you could be wrong.
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