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FALL PREVIEW: FRIDAY


FRIDAY OVERVIEW
Fridays have been falling apart in recent years but the networks have not given up. ABC, CBS, and NBC will all try to launch new dramas on the sleepy night. Expectations are lowered for Friday but the networks hope some viewers will stick around.

ABC
8:00 Secret Millionaire (2nd season) - moved from FOX
9:00 BODY OF PROOF
10:00 20/20 (29th season)
ABC is taking some chances on Friday night after a lackluster year of reality shows and the now cancelled Ugly Betty. However, they have not even announced a premiere date for the 8pm or 9pm shows which could be used to plug other holes on other nights, but this preview will be on the assumption that they are going to air on Friday nights. At 8pm is the transplanted reality show Secret Millionaire, which previously aired on FOX. This is a cheap and safe option that may have broader appeal than NBC's School Pride. With such low demos on Fridays, it's hard to make a prediction but I could see second in viewers and the 18-49 demo. The Dana Delaney show Body of Proof follows at 9pm which is somewhat surprising for a show with decent buzz and a big name. It will have lowered expectations but if it can succeed, ABC can use it to rebuild Friday nights. It will probably compete with NBC for second in viewers and the demo and for the sake of scripted programming, will hopefully edge out Dateline NBC. Finally the veteran newsmagazine 20/20 follows at 10pm. Its ratings have dropped in recent years but it's an alternative to two procedurals on CBS and NBC. Second in viewers and either second or third in the demo is likely.

CBS
8:00 Medium (7th season)
9:00 CSI: NY (7th season)
10:00 BLUE BLOODS
CBS has ruled Fridays for a long time but with ever decreasing numbers so they made a number of changes dumping Ghost Whisperer, NUMB3RS, and the new Miami Medical. The former NBC show Medium slides up to 8pm in its second CBS season. Medium was the best performer this past year but struggled in 8pm reruns this summer. It seems to be fading a bit. It should get first in viewers still, but could slip in the demo - maybe even to third. CSI: NY leaves its longtime comfortable post of Wednesdays at 10pm to try to rejuvenate Fridays. It was fading on Wednesdays but should be a solid Friday performer, easily winning first in the timeslot and the demo. It should give CBS some of its best Friday numbers in awhile. The new Tom Selleck drama Blue Bloods follows at 10pm and has gotten decent buzz. It will skew very old like the rest of the night. But it should easily win viewer totals and can probably eke out a demo win as well.

NBC
8:00 SCHOOL PRIDE
9:00 Dateline NBC (20th season)
10:00 OUTLAW
NBC shakes up Fridays a bit as well and makes its first foray in scripted Friday programming in awhile. School Pride is another feel-good reality show ala Who Do You Think You Are? (which returns to this slot later in the year). Not launching until Oct 15 gives NBC some promotion time during the other new fall shows. It will likely take third in viewers and second or third in the demo, but if it connects, it could probably get second in viewers ahead of ABC. Who Do You Think You Are will probably post similar numbers, low but consistent when it returns. The long running Dateline NBC returns at 9pm and is no longer competing directly with 20/20 which will benefit both programs. Depending on the success of Body of Proof, it can get second or third in viewers and the demo. The new Jimmy Smits drama Outlaw follows at 10pm. It's a bold attempt by NBC but the reviews have been bad although the sampling on Wednesday night pulled decent numbers. Still, viewers looking for a new drama will probably turn to Blue Bloods and third in viewers and maybe the demo too seems likely.

FOX
8:00 Human Target (2nd season)
9:00 The Good Guys (2nd season)
FOX has also not given up on Friday nights despite airing reruns here for most of last season. They start by moving Human Target from its Wednesday slot but saving it from what many thought was a likely cancellation. Still, it will probably have a rough go of it and finish fourth in viewers and the demo. The Good Guys follows at 9pm. It struggled in its summer run and will probably barely be on the map on Fridays this fall. Fourth in viewers and the demo is very likely. We may be back to reruns soon on FOX Fridays.

New Friday Show Survival Chances
Body of Proof (ABC) - Fair, if it can overcome its timeslot, it could be a winner
Blue Bloods (CBS) - Good, and right on brand with CBS programming
School Pride (NBC) - Fair, probably cheap enough to be a future fill-in
Outlaw (NBC) - Poor, audiences will probably choose CBS instead
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