Fall TV schedule reveals strategies of networks

May 25, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

McClatchy Newspapers

The five television networks have announced their 2011-12 schedules, which includes a total of 27 new programs.

Now the waiting game begins. Which shows will be hits and which ones misses? The new lineups reveal some of the strategies the networks hope will deliver strong ratings.

Reality? Not so much: There are only two new shows in the genre being added in the fall. Fox will launch Simon Cowell’s music competition show “The X Factor” and the CW adds “H8R.”

Does this mean reality TV is on the decline? Or is it just that shows like “Dancing With the Stars,” “American Idol,” “Amazing Race,” “The Biggest Loser” and “Survivor” are doing so well there’s no room to add more?

They’re “Mad” about the era: Two new series are taking a page from the “Mad Men” calendar by getting nostalgic for the 1960s. NBC’s “The Playboy Club” and ABC’s “Pan Am” are both set in that decade. Look for lots of inappropriate comments and smoking.

Flashback: The new fall season will have a 1990s feel with the return of TV stars from hit shows during that decade. “Home Improvement’s” Tim Allen is in the new ABC comedy “Last Man Standing” while “That ’70s Show” graduate Ashton Kutcher joins the cast of “Two and a Half Men.” Kutcher’s “’70s” co-star Laura Prepon will star in the NBC mid-season series “’Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar, star of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” is also back with the new CW Network show “Ringer.”

Everything old ...: ABC has dusted off the ’70s series “Charlie’s Angels” while NBC will air a new version of the Helen Mirren ’90s crime drama “Prime Suspect.”

Shifty efforts: CBS gets the award for the strangest scheduling move. The comedy “Rules of Engagement” has been sent to the black hole of network television: Saturday night. It will be the only original scripted show on the night. Will this kill the show?

The network’s other big move is the switch of “CSI” from the 9 p.m. Thursday slot it’s dominated to a new home at 10 p.m. Wednesdays. It’s a major move. The change could have a ripple effect through the entire Thursday night for CBS.

Star power: Same very familiar names have been hired to star in new shows. Film star Christina Ricci will headline “Pan Am” while Jim Caviezel is in the new CBS drama “Person of Interest.”

ABC has Ashley Judd’s “Missing” waiting in the wings to be a midseason replacement.

Biggest cancellation surprise: The very funny Fox comedy “Breaking In” had decent ratings but still got the ax. It would be a great pickup for a cable channel.

Biggest noncancellation surprise: “One Tree Hill,” the series you probably thought died five years ago, will be back in the spring for what the CW promises will be a final season. A promise is a promise.