CBS Gambles with Shows, Schedule Stays Safe

With the majority of its biggest hits staying put, CBS isn't in danger of losing current viewers anytime soon - but that doesn't mean the Eye wouldn't like to attract new viewers. After years of adding procedurals like Criminal Minds to the schedule, the network makes an attempt to diversify its schedule. From a casino-set musical to a vampire detective to a drama set during the height of swingers and key parties in the 70s, this isn't your grandma's CBS.

The latter project, Swingtown, finds itself held to midseason, along with The New Adventures of Old Christine and The Amazing Race. No doubt the Eye feels it can better promote the risqué project later in the season, away from ABC's soap premieres. Meanwhile, the biggest scheduling shuffle finds Without a Trace and Shark swapping timeslots, as the former returns to Thursdays.

Joining Shark on Sundays will be Viva Laughlin, a Hugh Jackman-produced adaptation of the UK series Viva Blackpool that incorporates tunes to highlight the drama. Though many series ranging from Scrubs to Buffy the Vampire Slayer successfully pulled off song-filled episodes, the last musical U.S. series of this scale (1990's Cop Rock) became a notorious flop. The drama may benefit from weak competition.

The rest of the week looks virtually the same, save one new show on most nights. On Mondays, it's The Big Bang Theory, a comedy from the creator of Two and a Half Men. Tuesday seems the riskiest as Cane takes over the same troubled slot where both Smith and 3 Lbs failed this season. In the drama, Jimmy Smits leads an all-star cast as the head of a powerful South Florida Cuban family. Wednesdays now start with reality series Kid Nation, in which 40 kids try to build a new society in an abandoned ghost town. And on Fridays, CBS bets that supernatural procedural Moonlight will flow best between Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs. The new orders spell bad news for Jericho and Close to Home, both of which are cancelled along with The Class.

Ultimately, CBS should be applauded for taking risks with its series, but many in the industry are already speculating if the schedule plays it too safe. The biggest question, however, may be if the net has the patience to let audiences find the new shows. If the experiments fail, will the Eye continue to gamble next season or will it return to procedurals? For now, crime-drama fans can take comfort that all three CSIs are staying put, while viewers tired of forensics can sample diverse newcomers. One certainty: By spreading out the question marks between its many hits, CBS remains strong.