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The networks have made their decisions for the new 2004-05 season and overall it doesn’t look too bad. We lost a few good shows but we expected that and have to move on. As I receive the preview tapes I will give my personal opinion on what I think but until then here’s what we can expect in the new season.

 

The WB was the first network I received information on and they’ve made a few interesting changes. Sundays, “Steve Harvey’s Big Time” (6:00-7:00 p.m., CST) will start the evening out and will be followed with “Charmed” (7:00-8:00 p.m., CST).

 

Then there is a new drama that will air called “Jack and Bobby” about two bright young brothers, Jack (Matthew Long) and Bobby (Logan Lerman) McCallister that grow up under the watchful eye of their eccentric single-parent mother Grace (Christine Lahti).  Grace’s plan is to shape both of these young men’s lives into one day being President of the United States. I love watching Lahti perform so I intend to give this show a chance to prove itself.

 

On Mondays two favorites of mine will return “7th Heaven” (7:00-8:00 a.m., CST) and “Everwood” (8:00-9:00 p.m., CST). They both ended their finales with interesting stories to leave us hanging until they return. This could be “7th Heaven’s” last year, but with it being The WB’s top rated show I really don’t think the network will let it go with out a fight.

 

Tuesdays, “Gilmore Girls” (7:00-8:00 p.m., CST) and “One Tree Hill” will resume their regular time slots. Both these shows are sure bets to keep their viewers happy for another season.

 

“Smallville” starring Tom Welling as Superboy will start Wednesday nights out strong but will then be followed by two new half-hour shows, “Blue Color TV” (8:00-8:30 p.m., CST) and “Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show” (8:30-9:00 p.m., CST). I’m sure these two shows will create the interest in the younger male viewers but will lose the ladies and the older viewers. I might be wrong and have to eat my words but that my opinions without even seeing a review tape.

 

Here’s what The WB has to say about “Blue Collar TV”: “This summer Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy, along with an ensemble cast will bring their outrageous humor to television. Each episode will begin with a themed standup routine from Foxworthy, which will outline the upcoming episode with subjects ranging from everyday family life to lingerie shopping. The theme will continue through pop culture parodies with a decidedly Blue Collar perspective.” I guess this could be funny but I really don’t understand what they’re trying to do. I guess I better watch the review tape before I comment on it any further.

 

“Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show” stars Drew Carey and his comic friends and have a clever plan to shake up the concept of live improve comedy. The performers on this show will act out quirky ideas suggested by the audience. The real fun begins the technique known as green screen, which Drew’s behind-the-scenes team will use to animate the skits, creating an actual improvised movie that brings to life the details going on in their vivid imaginations. The series promises to be fun and lively marriage of improve and animation-a concept only Drew Carey could pull off. This could be interesting and again I think the young male viewers will love it.

 

Thursday nights will begin with a new drama called “The Mountain” (7:00-8:00 p.m., CST). Boundary Mountain is an escapist playground for wealthy tourists and extreme sports enthusiasts, but to the Carver family, it’s home. This series chronicles the saga of the Carvers, whose colorful patriarch, David Carver, Sr. (guest star Chad Everett), founded the town and its internationally famous ski resort after winning the land in a poker game. When Carver dies unexpectedly, his choice of heirs sends shockwaves throughout the community. Free-spirited David Carver, Jr. (Oliver Hudson) left home years ago to pursue his dream of becoming a world-class motocross racer, while his older brother Will (Anson Mount) diligently attended business school with every expectation of taking over the family empire. No one, least of all the brothers themselves, expected David to inherit the Mountain. Now David finds himself saddled with a responsibility he never wanted and a brother who rightly feels betrayed.

 

“The Mountain” seems kind of like it may be a soap opera type of series, which is my kind of show. I love soapy involved dramas and that’s one reason why I shouldn’t be so hard on viewers who love reality shows. Everyone has there own opinion of what’s good entertainment. Try to remember what I write in my column is my opinion and you don’t have to agree with me.   

 

“Studio 7” (8:00-9:00 p.m., CST) follows “The Mountain” on Thursdays and pits seven bright young adults against each other in a series of intense elimination rounds that test their knowledge of pop culture, world events, science and literature. Only one can win a large prize. The only catch is that the contestants will also be roommates for one week in one of Manhattan’s most luxurious apartments. Blending the rivalry and romantic complications of reality programming with the high pressure stakes of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” “Studio 7” will not only allow viewers to play along, but will give them the intimate perspective of the competitors themselves.

 

Revealing the fact that I’m a sucker for soap type shows I won’t make another comment on “Studio 7.” Like I said everyone has a different opinion on what’s good entertainment.

 

Friday night on The WB is comedy night and starts out with the return of “What I Like About You” (7:00-7:30 p.m., CST). Following is the new series “Commando Nanny” (7:30-8:00 p.m., CST) and is based on the life of reality producer Mark Burnett (“Survivor,” “The Apprentice”) and stars Philip Winche and Gerald McRaney. “Reba” (8:00-8:30 p.m., CST) relocates to its original timeslot and finally the comedy “Grounded For Life” (8:30-9:00 p.m., CST) will follow.

 

 

That’s your new WB fall lineup. They are in desperate need of a new hit drama and hopefully “Jack and Bobby” and “The Mountain” will help them achieve that. After I watch the review tapes I will give you a better idea of what to expect.

 

Until my next column let your voice be heard.