The Small Screen Podcast, Episode 29: Let's Be Upfront

"The Small Screen Podcast" is back for Episode 29. This time around, Kristal and I talked about the new fall schedules, which pilots were excited for, which night of the week will be our busiest, and of course what we've been watching and looking forward to. Check out the breakdown if you want to avoid any spoilers.

Episode Breakdown

Intros: Start - 1:02

TV News: 1:03 - 4:45

• Dan Harmon out as Community showrunner

2012-2013 Fall Schedules: 4:46 - 39:09

• ABC: 5:25 - 15:00
• CBS: 15:01 - 18:06
• The CW: 18:07 - 23:45
• FOX: 23:46 - 32:26
• NBC: 32:27 - 38:35
• Wrap-Up: 38:36 - 39:09

Most Anticipated Pilots: 39:10 - 49:01

• Go On, The New Normal, Nashville and Vegas: 39:10 - 42:30
• 666 Park Avenue, The Mindy Project and Elementary: 42:31 - 49:01

Busiest Night of the Week: 49:02 - 51:33

What We're Watching (SPOILER ALERT): 51:34 - 1:04:55

• How I Met Your Mother

What We're Looking Forward To: 1:04:56 - 1:12:52

• Glee: 1:04:56 - 1:05:32
• So You Think You Can Dance: 1:05:33 - 1:12:52

Closing: 1:12:53 - End

Check out the episode below, or download it over at iTunes:

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My Two-Cents on the 2012-2013 Upfronts

Upfront Week's finally over, so I've decided to take a step back to reflect on what the major networks did this past two weeks.

Most Surprising Renewal: Nikita (The CW)

While I'm still a fan of Nikita, I was pretty sure that it was going to be canceled after another low-rated season, but its renewal could be a case of Fridays being both a blessing and a curse. Sure, its numbers were going to be horrible, but Friday shows tend to have lower expectations, which could have been how The CW justified bringing back our favorite assassin.

Most Disappointing Cancellation: The Finder (FOX)

I made my peace with The Finder's inevitable cancellation weeks ago, but knowing that Walter Sherman will not be back still stings. I've said it multiple times on "The Small Screen Podcast," but I'll say it again; I really want this character to live on, and if that means he's shoe-horned into Bones, then that's fine by me. That being said, the series finale was appropriate, and I'm sorta OK with that being it, but I need more Walter. I don't even need the rest. Just Walter.

Most Anticipated New Comedy: Go On (NBC)

I'm a Matthew Perry fan, so I want Go On to be successful for NBC because the world's a little bit better when he's on our screens. Now, I don't know if Go On will be the savior that the Peacock needs, but the premise sounds interesting enough, and it looks like a role tailor made for Perry. The thing is, the same could have been said about Mr. Sunshine, and the tone might be too dreary for those looking for light-hearted laughs. It also doesn't help that it's going to be on one of the most competitive nights for comedy, but more on that later.

Most Anticipated New Drama: Elementary (CBS)
OK, I'm going to be honest. The only reason I'm looking forward to Elementary is to mock it for ripping off Sherlock. Now, I'll admit that I could be surprised and the CBS version could be just as good as the BBC/PBS one, but it's highly unlikely. I'm also vaguely intrigued to see how this show justifies making Watson a female. We all know it's for unresolved sexual tension, but sometimes that's enough to keep things interesting (see Castle, Bones, Psych and on and on and on).

Least Anticipated New Comedy: The Neighbors (ABC)
ABC has the single-cam, family sit-com on lock down with its Laugh On Wednesday night block, but it's always been tricky to find the fourth piece to the puzzle. So what's the plan this year? How about giving us a show about a family moving into a suburb filled with aliens. Not other worldly humans like Suburgatory, but real extra-terrestrials. I can't believe ABC passed on Mandy Moore for this.

Least Anticipated New Drama: Mistresses (ABC)
I might be wrong, but I think I remember reading online that Mistresses will be held off until summer, so it technically should not be eligible for this post, but the trailer was truly horrendous and it made me feel dirty while watching it (there was a snippet where a woman's upset because the guy picked his wife). I seriously think it's about a club for women who sleep with other women's men. At least there's truth in advertising, but this show's obviously not meant for me.

Most Surprising New Comedy: Partners (CBS)
By "surprising," I mean a show that I had zero interest in before watching clips/trailers/previews, but was won over by something. I've soured on most of CBS' comedies (How I Met Your Mother and 2 Broke Girls), so I didn't expect much from its newest sit-com, but I found myself chuckling at the preview for Partners. Since I cannot quit HIMYM, I'm willing to give this show a few episodes to win me over.

Most Surprising New Drama: Vegas (CBS)
Another CBS show that I was mostly uninterested in until I watched the preview. I'm a sucker for westerns and gangster movies, so this should be right up my alley since it combines both, but I also find period dramas about the 60's to be mostly boring (yes, I'm including Mad Men). I'll probably check out a few episodes, which would be the first time I've made it a point to watch a CBS drama in ages, just to see what it has to offer.

Most Shocking Schedule Move: Two and a Half Men (CBS)
When you have two shows as successful as The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men, logic dictates that you spread them around the schedule as a way to help prop up your line-up. Apparently, CBS felt that dominating Thursday nights is more important than spreading the wealth, so they doubled up on Chuck Lorre shows. I kind of understand the move, but I don't think 2 Broke Girls is strong enough to anchor Mondays, but we'll have to see if this ends up being a calculated risk or a huge gamble on CBS' part.

Biggest No-Brain Schedule Move: Glee (FOX)
It's quite simple when you think about it: Glee needs help since its ratings have taken a hit, The X-Factor/American Idol really haven't helped launch any new shows, and Glee's best ratings came when it had Idol as a lead-in. Moving Glee to Thursday's is win-win for FOX.

Most Logical Schedule: The CW
Say what you will about The CW, but its 2012-2013 makes the most sense from a thematic standpoint. You have your spoiled rich kids on Mondays (90210 and Gossip Girl), your cute female doctors on Tuesdays (Hart of Dixie and Emily Owens, M.D.), your old-school WB block on Wednesdays (Arrow and Supernatural), your supernatural soaps featuring brunettes on Thursdays (The Vampire Diaries and Beauty and the Beast) and everything else on Fridays (America's Next Top Model and Nikita). You have to admit, every night have a clear direction and the show's do complement one another.

Least Logical Schedule: NBC
I guess we're supposed to think that scheduling five hours on comedy on four nights was a bold move, but it's hard to wrap my head around some of the moves. The pairing of Animal Practice and Guys With Kids makes zero sense, as does the combo of Whitney and Community. If anything, they should swap partners, but I doubt NBC would want to banish a new comedy to Fridays just so it could be a better match with Whitney. NBC conceding Thursday nights also felt a bit odd since it should be the time for them to rebuild the brand, but it hasn't worked yet so I guess they're throwing in the towel.

Busiest Night of the Week: Tuesdays
For me, Tuesday nights are going to be the busiest when it comes to TV watching because NBC, FOX and ABC all decided to schedule comedy blocks containing show's I'm interested in against one another. We have Go On/The New Normal going up against New Girl/The Mindy Project and Happy Endings/Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23. While I like New Girl well enough, and I want Matthew Perry to be a hit, my heart belongs to Happy Endings, so I'll be watching ABC live and catching up on everything else later.

So there you have it; my random thoughts about what happened during this year's Upfront Week. On a whole, I have to admit that nothing really wowed me, and next season's shaping up to be somewhat of a bore, but I'll definitely be tuning in regardless.

TV Upfronts: The CW's 2012-2013 Fall Schedule

Upfront Week wrapped up with The CW announcing its 2012-2013 schedule, and from the looks of it Supernatural fans have a lot to thankful for as it gets shifted out of the Friday death slot (despite the fact that it did fairly well there). Also, The CW will be rolling out its new slate of shows in October instead of September which could work in its benefit ... in theory. Other than that, it's a pretty straight forward line-up from the networklet.

2012-2013 Fall Line-up (NOTE: New shows are in UPPER CASE and times are Eastern Standard)

Mondays
8-9p: 90210
9-10p: Gossip Girl

Initial Thoughts: OK, The CW made some other changes besides just moving Supernatural out of Fridays. Gossip Girl's been in the 8pm on Mondays spot since 2008, so the fact that it's being pushed back to 9pm for its final season feels like its more for The Carrie Diaries' benefit since it will take over at mid-season. 90210's also been a Tuesday night staple, so its move to Mondays seems like a tactical move to help launch the aforementioned Sex and the City prequel.

Tuesdays
8-9p: Hart of Dixie
9-10p: EMILY OWENS, M.D.

Initial Thoughts: Lady doctors are going to be taking over The CW's Tuesday nights as the new Emily Owens, M.D. (formally known as First Cut) teams up with Hart of Dixie, which makes a lot of sense, but you have to wonder if they are TOO similar. I'm all for tonal consistency, but pairing up shows that also have similar subject matters could be hit or miss.

Wednesdays
8-9p: ARROW
9-10p: Supernatural

Initial Thoughts: For years, the combination of Smallville and Supernatural was one of the most consistent for The WB/The CW, so it's not a shocker that Arrow will be joining SPN on Wednesday nights. Let's just hope the latter proves that it's worthy of its new home.

Thursdays
8-9p: The Vampire Diaries
9-10p: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Initial Thoughts: It's logical that The CW would use its flagship show to launch new ones, but it hasn't been able to find anything that could hold on to The Vampire Dairies' audience. Nikita and The Secret Circle weren't able to capitalize on their lead-in, but maybe Beauty and the Beast will be able to break the trend.

Fridays
8-9p: America's Next Top Model
9-10p: Nikita

Initial Thoughts: Maybe if I actually watched Top Model, I'd be more inclined to comment on its move to Fridays, but I don't so I'm not. It does make a bit of sense though since reality shows cost less than scripted, so a dip in ratings won't kill ANTM, but moving your signature reality program to the "death slot" is also a bit odd. Honestly, I'm just glad Nikita's back, but it's not moved into an even more competitive hour as it takes on Fringe and Grimm.

Mid-Season: The Carrie Diaries an Cult

For the most part, The CW's new schedule makes sense, but I'm not it's going to be enough to fix the network's ratings issues. Then again, I don't know what will help The CW at this point.

TV Upfronts: CBS' 2012-2013 Fall Schedule

When you're the most-watched U.S. network, you have the luxury of coasting along and not shaking things up which was the exact approach CBS took when putting together its 2012-2013 schedule. The biggest bit of news had to do with 2 Broke Girls, Two and a Half Men and The Mentalist both getting new homes, but even those moves lacked any real pizzazz or risk.

2012-2013 Fall Line-up (NOTE: New shows are in UPPER CASE and times are Eastern Standard)

Mondays
8-8:30p: How I Met Your Mother
8:30-9p: PARTNERS
9-9:30p: 2 Broke Girls
9:30-10p: Mike & Molly
10-11p: Hawaii Five-0

Initial Thoughts: Mondays have become to CBS what Thursdays used to be for NBC, so the fact that the comedy line-up stayed in tack is by no means a shock. What is interesting is Two and a Half Men being shipped to another night and 2 Broke Girls taking its place. I understand that 2BG was last year's comedy darling for the network, but it's still not proven enough to take over the mantel. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if this ends up being a brilliant move by CBS are a bust.

Tuesdays
8-9p: NCIS
9-10p: NCIS: Los Angeles
10-11p: VEGAS

Initial Thoughts: Yawn! The NCIS franchise has become the new crown jewel of CBS, so there was no chance the two shows would be moving, and sticking Vegas at the 10 o'clock hour's really not all that exciting either since it's a hole that needed to be filled.

Wednesdays
8-9p: Survivor
9-10p: Criminal Minds
10-11p: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Initial Thoughts: Double yawn since this is the exact same schedule CBS has right now. I was sure CSI: Original Recipe would have been shipped off to a new night (Fridays) to make run for a new drama, but I guess CBS figured things were just fine on Wednesday nights.

Thursdays
8-8:30p: The Big Bang Theory
8:30-9p: Two and a Half Men
9-10p: Person of Interest
10-11p: ELEMENTARY

Initial Thoughts: Pretty much everyone thought that CBS would expand its Thursday night comedy block so it could crush NBC once and for all, so I'm a little surprised that the Eye's just sticking to an hour. Big Bang staying put makes sense, but having it lead into Two and a Half Men says more about the latter than anything else. It used to be this network's bread and butter, and now it needs to be propped up by its little brother. Since Person of Interest was one of the few dramatic hits of last season, I was sure that it would get a better time slot, but it looks like CBS is banking on Elementary to be a more accessible hit.

Fridays
8-9p: CSI: NY
9-10p: MADE IN JERSEY
10-11p: Blue Bloods

Initial Thoughts: Honesty, I don't have much to say about this night. I did expect CBS to put some shows out to pasture on Fridays (CSI and Good Wife), but once again the network didn't feel the need to shake things up.

Saturdays
8-11p: Crimetime Saturday

Sundays
7-8p: 60 Minutes
8-9p: The Amazing Race
9-10p: The Good Wife
10-11p: The Mentalist

Initial Thoughts: I did not see The Mentalist to Sundays coming because I figured it still had some life, and Sundays tend to be a problematic night for CBS. Again, I was sure The Good Wife was going to be shipped off to Fridays, so I'm a little surprised that its staying put although I shouldn't be.

Mid-Season: Friend Me, Golden Boy, The Job and Undercover Boss

There's a reason why I don't watch a ton of CBS. Its shows tend to be to formulaic and now their schedule reflects the same monotony, but you really can't blame the Eye for playing it safe because it's worked so well up to date.

TV Upfronts: ABC's 2012-2012 Fall Schedule

ABC was next to announce its schedule for 2012-2013, and at least it took some more risks than FOX did yesterday. We finally get the pairing of Happy Endings and Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 but in a somewhat odd location, and the Alphabet made some moves in an attempt to completely dominate Sunday nights.

2012-2013 Fall Line-up (NOTE: New shows are in UPPER CASE and times are Eastern Standard)

Mondays
8-10p: Dancing with the Stars
10-11p: Castle

Initial Thoughts: I was positive that this would be the year ABC moved Castle to another night so it could use DWTS to help launch other shows, but it looks like that will never happen. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of Castle and happy it's getting support from the network, but it's time to try something new on Mondays at 10pm.

Tuesdays
8-9p: Dancing with the Stars Results
9-9:30p: Happy Endings
9:30-10p: Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
10-11p: Private Practice

Initial Thoughts: Not so surprising details: teaming up Happy Endings and Apt. 23 on their own night away from the family block. Somewhat surprising details: Giving them a DWTS lead-in AND pitting them against New Girl/Mindy Project and Go On/The New Normal. Talk about mixed messages, ABC.

Wednesdays
8-8:30p: The Middle
8:30-9p: Suburgatory
9-9:30p: Modern Family
9:30-10p: THE NEIGHBORS
10-11p: NASHVILLE

Initial Thoughts: Honestly, I think it's a mistake to keep Suburgatory at 8:30 instead of moving it to the cushier post-Modern Family spot where it could grow. I guess there's something to say about consistency, yet ABC decided to move one of its few drama hits to a completely new night. Again with the mixed messages. Another aside: I don't understand why they'd use MF to launch a sitcom about aliens (sure families of aliens) instead of the more accessible  How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life).

Thursdays
8-9p: LAST RESORT
9-10p: Grey's Anatomy
10-11p: Scandal

Initial Thoughts: Part of me wonders if ABC has a total lack of faith in Last Resort based on its location on the schedule. For the last few seasons, Thursdays at 8 has been a black hole for ABC (FlashForward, My Generation, Charlie's Angels), so that's already a red-flag. Then you add the fact that it sticks out like a sore thumb. Sorry, but a show about a rogue nuclear submarine doesn't mesh well with any Shonda Rhimes vehicle. I'm interested to see how Last Resort performs, but Shawn Ryan could got 0 for 3 thanks to ABC.

Fridays
8-9p: Shark Tank
9-10p: Primetime: What Would You Do?
10-11p: 20/20

Starting in November
8-8:30p: Last Man Standing
8:30-9p: Malibu Country
9-10p: Shark Tank
10-11p: Primetime: What Would You Do?

Initial Thoughts: Yes, ABC Fridays look dreadfully boring, but things will get more interesting in November when Last Man Standing and Malibu Country debut. I'm all for a new TGIF, so I want LMS and Malibu to do well even if I don't watch them, and they very well could since they'll be going up against Touch and Whitney/Community. CBS will be the deciding factor.

Saturdays
8-End: Saturday Night College Football

Initial Thoughts: Let's just skip to Sundays.

Sundays
7-8p: America's Funniest Home Videos
8-9p: Once Upon a Time
9-10p: Revenge
10-11p: 666 PARK AVENUE

Initial Thoughts: And we finally get to ABC's plot to take over Sunday nights as it pairs up its two biggest sophomore successes. I can kind of understand moving Revenge to Sundays since ABC doesn't have a natural heir apparent to Desperate Housewives, but why couldn't they spread the wealth instead of piling everything on Sundays? Plus, Revenge doesn't seem like a natural fit with OUAT and 666, but whatever. Genre consistency's overrated in this day and age anyway.

Mid-Season: Body of Proof, Family Tools, How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life), Mistresses, Red Window, Wife Swap and Zero Hour.

While some of ABC's moves have me scratching my head, I do have to applaud them for taking some bigger risks than it would have done in the past. This schedule's a pretty clear sign that ABC's ready to make a comeback, so kudos.

TV Upfronts: FOX's 2012-2013 Fall Schedule

It was FOX's day to cart out its new fall schedule, and for the most part it was exactly what most people predicted. We finally get the two-hour comedy block that everyone's been buzzing about, and Glee once again gets one of the network's best lead-ins. So, really it was much ado about nothing.

2012-2013 Fall Line-up (NOTE: New shows are in UPPER CASE and times are Eastern Standard)

Mondays
8-9p: Bones
9-10p: THE MOB DOCTOR

Initial Thoughts: With House bowing out, it only made sense to keep Bones on Monday nights to help launch new shows. Initially, I saw Kevin Williamson's new show in the post Bones spot (which it will be mid-season), and while I don't know much about The Mob Doctor, it does sound compatible so good on FOX for making the most logical pairing.

Tuesdays
8-8:30p: Raising Hope
8:30-9p: BEN AND KATE
9-9:30p: New Girl
9:30-10p: THE MINDY PROJECT

Initial Thoughts: It shouldn't surprise anyone that FOX decided to go with a two-hour comedy block on Tuesdays since it now has a moderate hit to build around in New Girl. I'll admit, I'm a little stunned that Raising Hope is kicking off the line-up since it's never been a ratings hit, and I thought FOX would've taken a risk by having a new sitcom start the night.

Wednesdays
8-10p: The X-Factor

Initial Thoughts: Nothing of note here. Let's move on.

Thursdays
8-9p: The X-Factor Results
9-10p: Glee

Initial Thoughts: I'm sure there are some out there who are surprised by FOX's decision to move Glee to Thursday nights, but I'm not one of them. Glee to Thursdays makes sense because while it's not what it used to be, the show's still one of the network's best rated scripted series, so why not reward it by giving it a plump spot. Also, its ratings have been slipping, so having an X-Factor/Idol lead-in can help out an already ailing show. Plus, this season has already proven that X-Factor and Idol don't really launch new shows, so why waste it on a gamble?

Fridays
8-9p: Touch
9-10p: Fringe

Initial Thoughts: Why renew Touch if you're just going to put in on Friday nights when you could have just picked up The Finder which was starting to establish itself? OK, mini-rant over. In theory, I can see why Touch and Fringe are paired up since they both have outside-the-box concepts, but it seems like an odd move since Touch was supposed to be the next big thing. If FOX was just going to throw it under the bus, why bring it back at all?

Saturday
8-End: Fox Sports Saturday

Initial Thoughts: Sports on Saturday makes sense.

Sunday
8-8:30p: The Simpsons
8:30-9p: Bob's Burgers
9-9:30p: Family Guy
9:30-10p: American Dad

Initial Thoughts: No real changes to see here.

Mid-Season: American Idol, The Cleveland Show, Cops, The Following, The Goodwin Games, Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares.

Honestly, FOX's schedule is as straight-forward as you can get. It made some vital moves, but they all make sense and they don't leave people scratching their heads. Sure, it may not set the world on fire either, but it looks to be reliable enough for the network.

TV Upfronts: NBC's 2012-2013 Fall Schedule

Even though officially Upfront presentations don't start until Monday, NBC tends to get the ball rolling sooner than everyone else by announcing its schedule a day early, and this year was no different. All I can say is, next year's NBC schedule looks a little funny ... literally. Since most of its comedies are getting long in the tooth, NBC decided to schedule five hours of comedy a week to see if any of the new shows can gain traction.

2012-2013 Fall Line-up (NOTE: New shows are in UPPER CASE and times are Eastern Standard)

Mondays
8-10p: The Voice
10-11p: REVOLUTION

Initial Thoughts: I think we all knew that The Voice would get a fall start date instead of a mid-season one, but I can't help but wonder if NBC will really crank out two cycles in a year especially after it ran out of steam this season. I'm a little surprised that Revolution got such a plumb spot since it screams, "Friday night!" but I guess NBC liked it enough to give it a decent shot.

Tuesdays
8-9p: The Voice Results
9-9:30p: GO ON
9:30-10p: THE NEW NORMAL
10-11p: Parenthood

Initial Thoughts: NBC must really be hoping that Matthew Perry breaks his one-and-done streak since it's also giving Go On one of the better slots on its schedule. It apparently also sipped the Ryan Murphy Kool-Aid since The New Normal got a cushy placement. No surprises that Parenthood's staying put.

Wednesdays
8-8:30p: ANIMAL PRACTICE
8:30-9p: GUYS WITH KIDS
9-10p: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
10-11p: CHICAGO FIRE

Initial Thoughts: I'm not surprised that NBC's keeping the new Wednesday night comedy block, but I am a little surprised that they're having two new sitcoms kick off a night. Another minor surprise: moving SVU back to 9pm after it's shown that it does better at 10 o'clock, but I guess Chicago Fire needed some sort of lead-in.

Thursdays
8-8:30p: 30 Rock
8:30-9p: Up All Night
9-9:30p: The Office
9:30-10p: Parks and Recreation
10-11p: Rock Center with Brian Williams

Initial Thoughts: Ah, good ole Must See Comedy Night Done Right. NBC obviously wanted to keep to the tried and true formula, and this line-up makes a lot of sense (one that it should have been using the latter half of this season), but I'm a little surprised that a new comedy isn't getting the post-Office spot. Maybe the declining ratings convinced NBC that its biggest hitter can no longer launch new shows.

Fridays
8-8:30p: Whitney
8:30-9p: Community
9-10p: Grimm
10-11p: Dateline NBC

Initial Thoughts: This is going to sound disingenuous, but Community to Fridays isn't all that shocking, and it's a move NBC should have tried once it came back from hiatus. Believe what you will. That being said, NBC should just announce that this is the show's final season because that's what the schedule's yelling at viewers. Let the "Community to TBS" campaigns begin.

Sundays (Fall)
7-8:15p: Football Night in America
8:15-End: NBC Sunday Night Football

Sundays (After football)
7-8p: Dateline NBC
8-9p: Fashion Star
9-10p: The Celebrity Apprentice
10-11p: DO NO HARM

Initial Thoughts: Yeah, no real reactions. Sorry.

Mid-Season: 1600 Penn, Betty White's Off Their Rockers, The Biggest Loser, Hannibal, Howie Mandel's White Elephant, Infamous, Next Caller, Ready for Love, Smash, Stars Earn Stripes and Surprise with Jenny McCarthy.

Well, you can't say that NBC didn't try anything new because having five hours of comedies is unheard of in this day and age. I'm not sure if such bold moves will translate to ratings success, but it will be entertaining to see what happens.