FALL PREVIEW 2013: Tuesday

Moving on to Tuesdays in my Fall Preview! Tuesday has a complete revamp on ABC, tweaks to the drama lineup on CBS, a shoring up on NBC with The Voice moving to the anchor spot, and a retooled comedy lineup on FOX.

Past Tuesday Previews: 2012   2011   2010

ABC
8:00 MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.
9:00 THE GOLDBERGS
9:30 TROPHY WIFE
10:00 LUCKY 7

ABC is going entirely new on Tuesday night. The last time ABC tried an entirely new night, it was Wednesdays in the Fall of 2009 which included Modern Family and The Middle. I don't think it's a bad idea at all to start from scratch since Tuesdays have been such a problem for ABC lately. The problem here though could be the flow but we'll see. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been one of the most anticipated new shows for months and ABC is betting that the show will be a hit across age groups and gender in the way that Marvel movies are. It should certainly have a big premiere but the question is how will it hold up, especially against NCIS. They move from Marvel into two comedies which might seem a little odd but, again, ABC is hoping that Agents is a big tentpole show. Two family comedies air in the 9pm hour - the 80s themed The Goldbergs and the mixed family themed Trophy Wife. Trophy has gotten more buzz than The Goldbergs and ABC tends to have better success with family comedies but the success of these two shows really hinges on Agents. They need Agents to be big enough to provide a good lead-in but not so big that they have bad retention, so it's a fine line there. Either one could be a candidate for 9:30pm Wednesday if Super Fun Night fails. The comedies then transition into Lucky 7, a new dramedy that seems like a mid 2000s ABC show. This has gotten very little buzz and seems like it will be a real tough sell against more established successes on NBC and CBS. It could be a candidate for the first cancellation of the season.

CBS
8:00 NCIS (11th season)
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (5th season)
10:00 Person of Interest (3rd season)
For the fifth year in a row, CBS will open with both their NCIS shows. NCIS has been a hit for so long but it has two factors working against it this year - the departure of popular co-star Cote de Pablo and competition from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I don't think NCIS will fall apart but its best days are probably past it. I do not understand why CBS has never let NCIS: Los Angeles try to be on its own either at 10pm or on another night but they haven't, so it continues to air at 9pm. It has to deal with The Voice but it has held its own against big reality shows before. At 10pm, Person of Interest moves over after two years at 9pm Thursday. While it will likely be down from Thursday numbers, it could be pretty compatible with the NCIS twins and it could shore up a slot where Unforgettable, Vegas, and Golden Boy have failed in recent years.

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser (15th edition)
9:00 The Voice (5th edition)
10:00 Chicago Fire (2nd season)

After the 9pm comedies failed last year, NBC has decided to make The Voice the 9pm anchor show which is smart since it may help the hours before AND after a little bit. First up though is The Biggest Loser which will only be an hour. The cut down to an hour is long overdue and the show did ok in one winter run last season after being overexposed. I think this is NBC's best bet against big shows on ABC and CBS and it should do well enough to keep them afloat. The Voice continues to be strong and should do well at 9pm and with no competition from Dancing with the Stars. After a surprising performance at 10pm Wednesdays last year, NBC gives Chicago Fire a promotion by giving it The Voice lead-in. This second year show could really shine in this slot as the competition isn't too severe and it did well in one airing after The Voice last year. I think NBC has made good Tuesday moves to strengthen the night.

FOX
8:00 DADS
8:30 BROOKLYN NINE-NINE
9:00 New Girl (3rd season)
9:30 The Mindy Project (2nd season)
FOX's comedy lineup was a disaster last year but they are trying it again with male skewing comedies at 8pm and then the return of the New Girl-The Mindy Project combo at 9pm. The 8pm hour should have a rough go as they are thrown to the wolves and have to deal with formidable competitors on ABC, CBS, and NBC. Dads has been savaged critically while many are pointing to Brooklyn Nine-Nine as one of the best new sitcoms, but it'll be tough for either to succeed here. New Girl had a troubling year two drop but still skews young and will most likely be the best of the block. The problem is it's just not really an anchor show. The Mindy Project didn't really deserve a renewal and FOX probably would have been better off airing Brooklyn after New Girl because I just don't see Mindy catching on in year two.

New Tuesday Show Survival Chances
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC) - Good. There's always the potential for a letdown but ABC has a lot of drama wildcards this fall among their newbies and this is their safest bet. They'll do everything they can to make it work.
The Goldbergs (ABC) - Fair. I really have no idea how these two comedies are going to do. They are the biggest question of any new show to me. So my guess is as good as yours.
Trophy Wife (ABC) - Fair. See above, I really don't know how these comedies are going to do. If either takes over for Super Fun Night on Wednesdays, I would upgrade their chances.
Lucky 7 (ABC) - Very Poor. I definitely don't see this working and wouldn't be surprised at all if it's gone before November sweeps.
Dads (FOX) - Poor. I don't think this show will be able to overcome the critical drubbing against tough competition even if Seth McFarlane can do no wrong at FOX.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX) - Fair. If critical interest was enough for The Mindy Project to get a renewal last year, critical love for Brooklyn (assuming the quality continues) could definitely save it from a tough time period and likely low ratings.