There are some notable changes, mainly concerning the future of critics favorite, Parks and Recreation and returning procedural, Law & Order, SVU.

NBC UNVEILS 2010-2011 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

5 NEW COMEDIES, 7 NEW DRAMAS, AND NEW ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.

The new Fall Schedule features all-drama lineups on Mondays and Wednesdays, and all comedies on Thursdays, plus unscripted programming into compatible dramas on Tuesdays and Fridays. The high-quality series include new comedies such as “Outsourced,” Love Bites,” “Perfect Couples,” “Friends With Benefits” and “The Paul Reiser Show.”  The new dramas are “The Cape,” “Harry’s Law,” “Outlaw,” “Undercovers,” “The Event,” “Chase” and “Law & Order: Los Angeles.”  The new series “The Cape,” “Friends With Benefits,” “Perfect Couples,” “Harry’s Law” and “The Paul Reiser Show” will premiere later in the season along with a new version of “The Apprentice” “The Marriage Ref” and the new series “America’s Next Great Restaurant” — starring acclaimed celebrity chef/restaurateur Bobby Flay. NBC will also broadcast a 35th anniversary “Saturday Night Live” special that will celebrate the iconic late-night series’ long and eventful run on NBC since 1975. “Parks and Recreation” will return to Thursdays later in the season to give the night more original programming. Sundays beginning March 2011, the competition series “Minute to Win It” returns (8-9 p.m.) followed by “The Celebrity Apprentice” (9-11 p.m.):

MONDAY
8-9 p.m. – “Chuck”
9-10 p.m. — “THE EVENT”
10-11 p.m. – “CHASE”

TUESDAY
8-10 p.m. – “The Biggest Loser”
10-11 p.m. – “Parenthood”

WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. – “UNDERCOVERS”
9-10 p.m. – “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
10-11 p.m. – “LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES”

THURSDAY
8- 8:30 p.m. – “Community”
8:30-9 p.m. – “30 Rock”
9-9:30 p.m. – “The Office”
9:30-10 p.m. – “OUTSOURCED”
10-11 p.m. – “LOVE BITES”

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. – “Who Do You Think You Are?”/”SCHOOL PRIDE”
9-10 p.m. – “Dateline NBC”
10-11 p.m. – “OUTLAW”

SATURDAY
Encore programming

SUNDAY
7- 8:15 p.m. — “Football Night in America”
8:15-11:30 p.m. — “NBC Sunday Night Football”

SUNDAY (beginning March 2011)
7-8 p.m. – “Dateline NBC”
8-9 p.m. – “Minute to Win It”
9-11 p.m. – “The Celebrity Apprentice”

2010-11 NEW SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

New Dramas
‘THE EVENT’ — “The Event” is an emotional, high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter, “The Class”), an Everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his fiancée, Leila (Sarah Roemer, “Disturbia”), and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history. Sean’s quest will send ripples through the lives of an eclectic band of strangers, including: newly elected U.S. President Martinez (Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood, “Dirty Sexy Money”); Sophia (Emmy Award nominee Laura Innes, “ER”), who is the leader of a mysterious group of detainees; and Sean’s shadowy father-in-law (Scott Patterson, “Gilmore Girls”). Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind. Ian Anthony Dale (“Daybreak”) and Emmy winner Željko Ivanek (“Damages”) also star in the ensemble drama. “The Event” is a production of Universal Media Studios and Steve Stark Productions. Stark (“Medium,” “Facing Kate”) serves as executive producer, Nick Wauters (“The 4400,” “Eureka”) is creator/co-executive producer and Jeffrey Reiner (“Friday Night Lights,” “Trauma”) is the director/executive producer; Evan Katz (“24”) also is an executive producer. http://www.nbc.com/the-event/

‘UNDERCOVERS’ – Acclaimed writer/producer/director J.J. Abrams (“Star Trek,” “Fringe,” “Lost,” “Alias”) serves as co-writer, executive producer – and also directs – his first direction of a TV series pilot since “Lost” in “Undercovers” with executive producer/writer Josh Reims (“Brothers and Sisters”). “Undercovers” is a sexy, fun, action-packed spy drama that proves once and for all that marriage is still the world’s most dangerous partnership. Outwardly, Steven Bloom (Boris Kodjoe, “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Soul Food,” “Resident Evil: Afterlife”) and his wife, Samantha (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, “Doctor Who,” “Bonekickers”), are a typical married couple who own a small catering company in Los Angeles and are helped by Samantha’s easily frazzled younger sister, Lizzy (Jessica Parker Kennedy, “Smallville”). Secretly, the duo were two of the CIA’s best spies until they fell in love on the job five years ago and retired. When fellow spy and friend Nash (Carter MacIntyre, “American Heiress”) goes missing while on the trail of a Russian arms dealer, the Blooms are reinstated by boss Carlton Shaw (Gerald McRaney, “Deadwood”) to locate and rescue Nash. The pair is thrust back into the world of espionage as they follow leads that span the globe — and Steven and Samantha realize that this supercharged, undercover lifestyle provides the excitement and romance that their marriage has been missing. Also starring is Ben Schwartz (NBC’s “Parks and Recreation”). “Undercovers” is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. Television. The pilot was written by J.J. Abrams & Josh Reims and directed by Abrams. Abrams, Reims and Bryan Burk (“Fringe,” “Lost, “Alias”) are the executive producers. http://www.nbc.com/undercovers/

‘THE CAPE’ – “The Cape” is a one-hour drama series starring David Lyons (“ER”) as Vince Faraday, an honest cop on a corrupt police force, who finds himself framed for a series of murders and presumed dead. He is forced into hiding, leaving behind his wife, Dana (Jennifer Ferrin, “Life on Mars”) and son, Trip (Ryan Wynott, “Flash Forward”). Fueled by a desire to reunite with his family and to battle the criminal forces that have overtaken Palm City, Faraday becomes “The Cape” his son’s favorite comic book superhero — and takes the law into his own hands. Rounding out the cast are James Frain (“The Tudors”) as billionaire Peter Fleming — The Cape’s nemesis — who moonlights as the twisted killer: Chess; Keith David (“Death at a Funeral”) as Max Malini, the ringleader of a circus gang of bank robbers who mentors Vince Faraday and trains him to be The Cape, Summer Glau (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) as Orwell, an investigative blogger who wages war on crime and corruption in Palm City; and Dorian Missick (“Six Degrees”) as Marty Voyt, a former police detective and friend to Faraday. “The Cape” is a Universal Media Studios and BermanBraun production from executive producer/creator Thomas Wheeler (“Empire”), executive producer/director Simon West (“Con Air”), the executive producing team of Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun (NBC’s “Mercy), and executive producer Gene Stein (“Accidentally on Purpose”). http://www.nbc.com/the-cape/

‘CHASE’ – “Chase” is a fast-paced drama from Emmy Award-winning executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer (“CSI” franchise, “The Amazing Race,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” films) and executive producer Jennifer Johnson (“Cold Case”) that drops viewers smack into the middle of a game of cat-and-mouse as a team of U.S. marshals hunts down America’s most dangerous fugitives. Kelli Giddish (“Past Life”) stars as U.S. Marshal Annie Frost, a cowboy boot-wearing deputy whose sharp mind and unique Texas upbringing help her track down the violent criminals on the run. Cole Hauser (“K-Ville”), Amaury Nolasco (“Prison Break”), Rose Rollins (“The L Word”) and Jesse Metcalfe (“Desperate Housewives”) also star as members of Frost’s elite team. “Chase” is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc., in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television. Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman (“CSI” franchise, “The Amazing Race,” “Cold Case”) and Johnson serve as executive producers, while KristieAnne Reed is co-executive producer. David Nutter (“The Mentalist,” “Without a Trace” “The X-Files”) directed and is executive producer of the pilot that was written by Johnson. http://www.nbc.com/chase/

‘OUTLAW’ — Starring Emmy Award winner Jimmy Smits (“NYPD Blue,” “The West Wing”), “Outlaw” is a new drama from executive producer John Eisendrath (“Alias,” “Felicity,” “Playmakers”). Cyrus Garza (Smits) is a U.S. Supreme Court justice who abruptly quits the high-level position. A playboy and a gambler, Garza had always adhered to a strict interpretation of the law until he realized the system he believed in was flawed. Now that he’s quit the bench and returned to private practice, he’s determined to represent “the little guy” and use his inside knowledge of the justice system to take on today’s biggest legal cases — and he’s making plenty of powerful people unhappy along the way. Jesse Bradford (“The West Wing”), Carly Pope (“24″), Ellen Woglom (“Californication”) and David Ramsey (“Dexter”) also star. “Outlaw” is a Universal Media Studios production along with Conaco productions. Eisendrath is executive producer along with Terry George (“Hotel Rwanda,” “Reservation Road”), Conan O’Brien, Jeff Ross and David Kissinger (“Andy Barker, P.I.”). “Outlaw” is written by Eisendrath and directed by George. http://www.nbc.com/outlaw/

‘HARRY’S LAW’ – Emmy Award-winning creator David E. Kelley (“The Practice,” “Boston Legal”) brings his unique storytelling to “Harry’s Law,” a series about fate and the people it brings together, starring Academy Award winner Kathy Bates (“Misery,” “About Schmidt”). Harriet (Bates), Matthew (Ben Chaplin, “Me and Orson Wells”) and Malcolm (Aml Ameen, “Kidulthood”) couldn’t be any more different. Harriet is a curmudgeonly ex-patent lawyer who, having just been fired from her cushy job, is completely disillusioned with her success and looking for a fresh start. Her world unexpectedly collides with Malcolm’s — a young man trying to figure out life. When he finds out Harriet is a lawyer, he begs her to represent him in an upcoming criminal case. Matthew, a dreamer at heart and also recently fired from his job as a high school teacher, is introduced to Harriet through Malcolm, a previous student of his. When these three cross paths, they realize they’re all looking for a fresh start. Now, the most unlikely of people are starting a law practice in the most unlikely of places–a rundown shoe store. “Harry’s Law” also stars Brittany Snow (“Hairspray”) as Harriet’s assistant, Jenna Backstrom and Beatrice Rosen (“Dark Knight”) as Eve, a high school French teacher. “Harry’s Law” is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with David E. Kelley Productions and Warner Bros. Television. David E. Kelley (“Boston Legal,” “The Practice”) and Bill D’Elia (“Boston Legal,” “The Practice”) serve as executive producers. D’Elia also is the director. http://www.nbc.com/harrys-law/

‘LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES’ – The new “Law & Order: Los Angeles” is a procedural crime drama that will follow the theme and storylines similar to the “Law & Order”-brand series on the streets of Los Angeles. The series, from executive producer Dick Wolf and Blake Masters “(“Brotherhood”), is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios. Casting and pre-production work are continuing. http://www.nbc.com/law-and-order-los-angeles

New Comedy Series

‘PERFECT COUPLES’ — “Perfect Couples” depicts the misadventures of three engaging couples as they struggle to find out what makes the ideal relationship — and how to maintain it through humorous trial-and-error. The series explores their heroic journey in search of the perfect relationship without destroying each other in the process. Dave (Kyle Howard, “My Boys”) and Julia (Christine Woods, “Flash Forward”) are the relatable, normal couple, but Julia’s hope of remaining the cool, low-maintenance chick is tested by Dave’s attempts to keep both his wife and his needy best friend Vance (David Walton, “Heist”) equally happy. Vance, along with the neurotic Amy (Mary Elizabeth Ellis, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), are the high-passion, high-drama couple who bring out the best and worst in each other. The third duo features Rex (Hayes MacArthur, “She’s Out of My League”), a reformed party guy, and, and his wife, Leigh (Olivia Munn, “Attack of the Show”), who considers herself as the group’s mother hen. Believing that they are relationship experts, Rex and Leigh have attended every class and seminar on relationships — and regard themselves as the “perfect couple.” Jon Pollack (“30 Rock”) and Scott Silveri (“Friends”) are the executive producers while Andy Ackerman (“Seinfeld,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine”) is the director. The series is produced by Universal Media Studios. http://www.nbc.com/perfect-couples/

‘OUTSOURCED’ – “Outsourced” is a comedy where the Midwest meets the exotic East in a hilarious culture clash. The series centers on the all-American company Mid America Novelties that sells whoopee cushions, foam fingers and wallets made of bacon — and whose call center has suddenly been outsourced to India. Todd Dempsy (Ben Rappaport, off-Broadway’s “The Gingerbread House”) is the new company’s manager who learns that he’s being transferred to India to run the operation. Overwhelmed, Todd discovers that his new staff needs a crash course in all things American if they are to understand the U.S. product line and ramp up sales from halfway around the world. But as strange as America seems to his eclectic sales team, Todd soon realizes that figuring out India will be more than a full-time job. Rizwan Manji (“Privileged”), Sacha Dhawan (BBC’s “Five Days II”), Rebecca Hazlewood (BBC’s “Doctors”), Parvesh Cheena (“Help Me Help You”), and Anisha Nagarajan (Broadway’s “Bombay Dreams”) also star as members of Dempsy’s off-shore team; Diedrich Bader (“The Drew Carey Show”) and Jessica Gower (Network Ten’s “The Secret Life of Us”) additionally star. “Outsourced” is produced by Universal Media Studios. Robert Borden (“The Drew Carey Show” and “George Lopez”) is executive producer/writer. Ken Kwapis (“The Office”) developed the project through his company, In Cahoots, and serves as executive producer/director. Alex Beattie serves as co-executive producer. http://www.nbc.com/outsourced/

‘THE PAUL REISER SHOW’ — “The Paul Reiser Show” is a new single camera comedy from Emmy and Golden Globe nominated comedian-author-producer-actor Paul Reiser (“Mad About You”) and writer-producer Jonathan Shapiro (“Life”). The show stars Paul Reiser as…Paul Reiser. It’s been a few years since Paul’s hit TV series went off the air. Since then, he’s been enjoying the quiet life at home with his lovely wife and kids and generally minding his own business. Lately, however, Paul has been thinking that it’s time he did something new, something meaningful. As to what that next thing might be, he has no idea. In his quest to figure it out, Paul is helped and hindered by his new “friends.” Like most men his age, Paul didn’t choose these friends. They’re the husbands of his wife’s friends, the dads of kids that his boys go to school with. Thrown together by circumstance, Paul and his friends form an unlikely comradeship — and a horrible basketball team. In addition to Reiser, Ben Shenkman (“Angels in America”) stars as Jonathan, Omid Djalili (“The Infidel”) as Habib, Duane Martin (“All of Us”) as Fernando, Andrew Daly (“MADtv”) as Brad, Amy Landecker (“A Serious Man”) as Claire, Brock Waidmann as Zeke and Koby Rouviere (“Greenberg”) as Gabe. The pilot is executive produced and written by Reiser and Shapiro, produced by Craig Knizek (“Mad About You”), Merri Howard (“Cold Case”) and Peter Safran (“Heist”), and directed by Bryan Gordon (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”). “The Paul Reiser Show” is a production of Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Nuance Productions and Warner Bros. Television. http://www.nbc.com/the-paul-resier-show/

‘FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS’ — From Oscar and Emmy winner Brian Grazer (“A Beautiful Mind,” “Arrested Development”), “Friends With Benefits” is a half-hour comedy revolving around a group of twenty-something singles as they navigate the difficult, and often confusing, world of dating. Ben Weymouth (Ryan Hansen, “Party Down”) is on the hunt for the perfect woman who meets his unique set of standards, while his best friend, Sara Maxwell (Danneel Harris, “One Tree Hill”), is just looking for a man to settle down with and raise a family. Ben and Sara have fallen into the habit of turning to each other for moral and physical support as they wait for Mr. and Ms. Right to arrive. Their friend Aaron (Fran Kranz, “Dollhouse”), a romantic at heart, doesn’t approve of Ben and Sara’s complicated friendship, but he, along with womanizer Hoon (Ian Reed Kesler) and straight shooter Riley (Jessica Lucas, “Cloverfield”), are all distracted with their own dating trials and tribulations. David Nevins (“Lie to Me,” “Arrested Development”) joins Grazer as executive producer for Imagine Television. Also serving as executive producers are David Dobkin (“Wedding Crashers”), who directs the pilot, writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (“(500) Days of Summer”), and Jeff Kleeman. “Friends With Benefits” is a production of 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television and Big Kid Pictures. http://www.nbc.com/friends-with-benefits/

New One-hour Comedy Series

‘LOVE BITES’ – From Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Cindy Chupack (“Sex and the City”), “Love Bites” is an hour-long romantic comedy anthology series featuring three loosely connected, modern stories of love, sex, marriage and dating. Each episode contains multiple vignettes, all illuminating the theme of love with an edgy, irreverent spin. Becki Newton (“Ugly Betty”) stars as Annie and Jordana Spiro (“My Boys”) stars as Frannie, the last two single girls standing after all of their friends get married. Annie is an infectiously bubbly optimist and Frannie is an always-a-bridesmaid realist. Their story will anchor the series, while other romantically-challenged characters will come and go each week. The pilot’s guest cast includes Jennifer Love Hewitt (“Ghost Whisperer”), Greg Grunberg (“Heroes”), Craig Robinson (“The Office”), Jason Lewis (“Sex and the City”), Lindsay Price (“Lipstick Jungle”), Larry Wilmore (“The Daily Show”), Charlyne Yi (“Knocked Up”), Pamela Adlon (“Californication”), Stacy Galina (“Hidden Hills”), Brian Hallisay (“Privileged”), Kyle Howard (“My Boys”) and Steve Howey (“Bride Wars”). “Love Bites” is a production of Universal Media Studios and Working Title Television, which is a new division of Working Title Films (the U.K. production company behind box office hits including “Love Actually,” “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral”). Chupack is creator, executive producer and writer. Emmy Award-winning producer-director Marc Buckland (“My Name Is Earl”) also is executive producer and directs the pilot. Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan and Shelley McCrory from Working Title Television are executive producers. “Love Bites” is Working Title Television’s first U.S. commission. http://www.nbc.com/love-bites/

New Alternative Series

‘SCHOOL PRIDE’ – From executive producers Cheryl Hines (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Denise Cramsey (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and “True Beauty”), “School Pride” is a proactive, alternative series that tells the stories of communities coming together to renovate their aging and broken public schools. While transforming the school, the community also restores its sense of value and school pride. The cameras follow students, teachers and parents as they roll up their sleeves and rebuild their own schools, concluding with the unveiling of a brand new, completely transformed school. They are motivated by a quartet of community organizers and personalities — SWAT Commander Tom Stroup, interior designer Susie Castillo (“House of Payne”), comedian and former substitute teacher Kym Whitley (“Til Death”) and political correspondent Jacob Soboroff (“AMC News”). Together, the team of experts will lead the community through the makeover process. Months later, cameras will revisit the school to discover the lasting effects of the transformation — a renewed sense of school pride and an increase in student achievement scores. “School Pride” is produced by Horizon Alternative Television. http://www.nbc.com/school-pride/

CBS has announced some shocking moves – including challenging NBC’s Thursday comedy lineup with one of their own:

Press Release:

CBS ANNOUNCES 2010-2011 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

America’s Most Watched Network Adds Five New Series to Its Top-Rated Lineup

New Dramas Include a New HAWAII FIVE-0, Comedic Drama THE DEFENDERS and a Family of NYPD’s Finest BLUE BLOODS

Comedies Include a Series Based on a Twitter Feed and a New Show From Chuck Lorre About a Couple Who Find Love at an Overeaters Anonymous Meeting

18 Current Series Return

CBS Unveils Four Key Time Period Moves to Grow Nights and Spread Strength Across the Schedule

THE BIG BANG THEORY Launches New One-Hour Comedy Block Thursday at 8:00 PM

SURVIVOR to Open Wednesdays at 8:00 PM

CSI: NY Moves to Friday at 9:00 PM and CSI: MIAMI to Sunday at 10:00 PM to Power Two Key Time Periods

CBS announced today its new 2010-2011 primetime schedule and the addition of five new series, including three dramas and two comedies, and key scheduling moves to enhance America’s most watched lineup.

The new series includes an updated take on the classic series HAWAII FIVE-0; comedic drama THE DEFENDERS starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell as colorful Las Vegas defense attorneys; drama BLUE BLOODS about a family of NYPD cops starring Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg; a Twitter-inspired comedy, $#*! MY DAD SAYS, starring William Shatner as a father who spouts politically incorrect observations on daily life; and the romantic comedy MIKE & MOLLY, starring Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy as a cop and teacher who find love at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.

“We believe television’s #1 network just got stronger,” said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. “New series will be launched behind proven hits and key scheduling moves will help grow nights. Two of the dramas, ‘Hawaii Five-0′ and ‘The Defenders,’ continue our successful evolution in the drama form – character driven with great humor. The third new drama, ‘Blue Bloods,’ introduces a police drama with a unique family spin. Our two new comedies will definitely make some noise. ‘$#*! My Dad Says’ is based on a distinctly loud and funny Twitter feed – led by a larger-than-life star in William Shatner. ‘Mike & Molly’ is a comedy on the romantic side, featuring the trademark humor of TV’s reigning king of comedy, Chuck Lorre. And, the best news is that these new series join a schedule deep with hits and leadership in every program genre.”

The freshman series will be joined by 18 returning shows including the season’s #1 drama/scripted program – NCIS; #1 comedy – TWO AND A HALF MEN; #1 new series – UNDERCOVER BOSS, the #1 news magazine – 60 MINUTES, the #1 new drama – NCIS: LOS ANGELES, plus the #1 scripted series in key demos (18-49 and 25-54) – THE BIG BANG THEORY, along with two franchise reality series – SURVIVOR and the seven-time Emmy Award winner THE AMAZING RACE.

Also returning are: HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, THE GOOD WIFE, CRIMINAL MINDS, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, THE MENTALIST, MEDIUM, CSI: NY, 48 HOURS MYSTERY and CSI: MIAMI.

A spin off of the hit drama CRIMINAL MINDS, starring Forest Whitaker, has been ordered for midseason.

The new 2010-2011 schedule:

On Monday, CBS adds a new Chuck Lorre comedy to television’s top-rated comedy block and a big new drama to cap the night. From 8:00-9:00 PM, the established duo of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT returns. Television’s top comedy TWO AND A HALF MEN remains at 9:00 PM, serving as a lead-in for the new comedy MIKE & MOLLY, starring Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy at 9:30 PM. HAWAII FIVE-0 rides the wave into 10:00 PM.

On Tuesday, CBS’s top-rated night remains intact with the #1 rated scripted series, NCIS, at 8:00 PM followed by the #1 new drama, NCIS: LOS ANGELES, at 9:00 PM and the #2 new drama, THE GOOD WIFE, at 10:00 PM.

On Wednesday, CBS makes two strategic time period changes to bookend the night. SURVIVOR provides a potent lead-off hitter at 8:00 PM. The sixth-year hit CRIMINAL MINDS remains at 9:00 PM, providing a strong lead-in to the new drama THE DEFENDERS, starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell, at 10:00 PM.

On Thursday, CBS opens a new one-hour comedy block on TV’s biggest night. THE BIG BANG THEORY, the fastest growing series on television, kicks off the line-up at 8:00 PM, serving as a powerful lead-in for the irreverent new comedy $#*! MY DAD SAYS. The rest of the night remains unchanged with the popular drama block CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION and THE MENTALIST from 9:00-11:00 PM.

On Friday, CBS adds a New York/New York tandem from 9:00-11:00 PM. Veteran drama MEDIUM leads off the night at 8:00 PM. Proven hit CSI: NY moves from Wednesday to serve as the tent pole at 9:00 PM, flowing seamlessly into the NYPD police drama BLUE BLOODS at 10:00 PM.

Saturdays will feature CBS’s CRIMETIME programming from 8:00-10:00 PM, followed by the popular true crime series 48 HOURS MYSTERY at 10:00 PM.

On Sunday, a winning crime drama moves to 10:00 PM to anchor one of TV’s biggest nights. The perennial #1 news magazine, 60 MINUTES, kicks off its 43rd season at 7:00 PM. The seven-time Emmy Award-winning series THE AMAZING RACE returns at 8:00 PM followed by the first full season of UNDERCOVER BOSS, TV’s #1 new show at 9:00 PM, keeping intact a powerful reality block. CSI: MIAMI provides the night’s strongest 10:00 PM anchors in years.

The New Comedies are:

$#*! MY DAD SAYS, based on the popular Twitter feed by Justin Halpern, stars Emmy Award winner William Shatner as Ed Goodson, a forthright and opinionated dad who relishes expressing his unsolicited and often wildly politically incorrect observations to anyone within earshot. Nobody is immune from Ed’s rants, including his sons, Henry, a struggling writer-turned-unpaid blogger; and Vince (Will Sasso), the meek half of his husband/wife real estate duo with domineering Kathleen (Nicole Sullivan). When Henry finds he can no longer afford to pay rent to his pretty roommate — and secret admirer — Sam (Stephanie Lemelin), Ed reveals a soft spot and invites Henry to move in with him. Henry agrees, knowing that the verbal assault will not abate and now there will be no escape. Describing their father/son relationship is tricky – but Ed will easily come up with a few choice words. Emmy Award winners David Kohan and Max Mutchnick are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television. Emmy Award winner James Burrows directed.

MIKE & MOLLY is a comedy from Chuck Lorre (“Two and a Half Men,” and “The Big Bang Theory”) about a working class Chicago couple who find love at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting. Officer Mike Biggs (Billy Gardell) is a good-hearted cop who sincerely wants to lose weight. Mike’s partner, Officer Carl McMillan (Reno Wilson), is a thin, fast-talking wise-guy, who despite his teasing encourages Mike on his road to slimness and romance. While speaking at an O.A. meeting, Mike meets Molly Flynn (Melissa McCarthy), an instantly likeable fourth-grade teacher with a healthy sense of humor about her curves. For Molly, focusing on smart choices isn’t easy because she lives with her sexy older sister, Victoria (Katy Mixon), and their mother, Joyce (Swoosie Kurtz), both of whom flaunt their healthy appetites and slender figures. Mike also faces temptation at the diner he and Carl frequent, where they’ve become friends with the Senegalese waiter, Samuel (Nyambi Nyambi), who finds trying to eat less a foreign concept. For Mike and Molly, thanks to their mutual love of pie and the desire to resist it, finding each other may have been worth the “weight.” Chuck Lorre and Mark Roberts are executive producers for Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

The New Dramas are:

HAWAII FIVE-0 is a contemporary take on the classic series about a new elite federalized task force whose mission is to wipe out the crime that washes up on the Islands’ sun-drenched beaches. Detective Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin), a decorated Naval officer turned cop, returns to Oahu to investigate his father’s murder and stays after Hawaii’s governor persuades him to head up the new team: his rules, her backing, no red tape and full blanket immunity to hunt down the biggest “game” in town. Joining McGarrett is Detective Danny “Danno” Williams (Scott Caan), a newly relocated ex-New Jersey cop who prefers skyscrapers to the coastline but is committed to keeping the Islands safe for his 8-year-old daughter; and Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim), an ex-Honolulu Police Detective wrongly accused of corruption and relegated to a federal security patrol, who is also a former protege of McGarrett’s father. Chin’s cousin, Kono (Grace Park), is a beautiful and fearless native, fresh out of the academy and eager to establish herself among the department’s elite. McGarrett vows to bring closure to his father’s case while the state’s brash new FIVE-0 unit, who may spar and jest among themselves, is determined to eliminate the seedy elements from the 50th state. Peter Lenkov, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

THE DEFENDERS stars Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell in a comedic drama about two colorful Las Vegas defense attorneys who go all-in when it comes to representing their clients. Nick and Pete are the local go-to guys with an eclectic client list who are still looking to hit their own jackpot. Leading the law firm of Morelli & Kaczmarek are Nick Morelli (Belushi), an earnest, hard-charging attorney who represents his clients to the best of his ability, no matter how big or small the case, and his partner, Pete Kaczmarek (O’Connell), whose passion for the law is matched only by his love of fast cars, beautiful women and expensive clothes. Joining them in their growing law practice is new associate Lisa Tyler (Jurnee Smollett), an enthusiastic young attorney looking to put her exotic dancing days behind her; and their young assistant, Sophie (Tanya Fischer), a spunky and sweet ingenue who is eager to please her bosses. As Lady Luck shines on their legal careers, the partners have their hands full when it comes to their personal lives. While Pete is busy cruising the Vegas Strip for his latest romantic conquest, Nick is focused on repairing his fractured marriage to his estranged wife, Jessica (Gillian Vigman), while remaining present in the life of their young son. No matter the offense, Nick and Pete aim to prove that when the stakes are high they’re willing to bet the house on the clients they defend in Sin City. Carol Mendelsohn, Niels Mueller and Kevin Kennedy, Joe and Harry Gantz, and Davis Guggenheim are the executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

BLUE BLOODS is a drama about a multi-generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement. Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) is the New York Chief of Police and patriarch of the Reagan brood, which he heads as diplomatically as he does the force, even when dealing with the politics that plagued his unapologetically bold father, Henry (Len Cariou), during his stint as Chief. A source of pride and concern for Frank is his eldest son Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), a seasoned detective, family man and Iraqi War vet who on occasion uses dubious tactics to solve cases. The sole Reagan woman in the family, Erin (Bridget Moynahan), is a N.Y. Assistant D.A. and newly single parent, who also serves as the legal compass for her siblings and father. Jamie (Will Estes) is the youngest Reagan, fresh out of Harvard Law and the family’s “golden boy.” However, unable to deny the family tradition, Jamie decided to give up a lucrative future in law and is now a newly minted cop, a career change seemingly supported by his beautiful girlfriend, Sydney Davenport (Dylan Moore), a first year lawyer. Jamie’s life takes an abrupt turn, however, when he’s asked to become part of a clandestine police investigation even his father knows nothing about, and one that could impact the family’s legacy. Emmy Award winners Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green and Leonard Goldberg are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

The Midseason Series:

CRIMINAL MINDS SPINOFF stars Academy Award-winner Forest Whitaker in a drama about an elite team of agents within the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit who use unconventional methods of investigation and aggressive tactics to capture the nation’s most nefarious criminals. Unit chief Special Agent Sam Cooper (Whitaker) is a mentally and physically fierce natural leader who is not afraid to put his career on the line in order to stand by his convictions. Cooper strives to avoid political bureaucracy and has handpicked an eclectic group of profilers to work outside the confines of Quantico: Former British Special Forces soldier Mick Rawson (Matt Ryan), confident and handsome, works as a highly-skilled marksman with an undiluted eye for rooting out evil; John “Prophet” Sims (Michael Kelly), a former convict with a street-smart edge and a calm, Zen-like presence, who is determined to make amends for past sins; and Gina LaSalle (Beau Garrett), an attractive, tough agent armed with a cunning sense of perception. This exceptional group of FBI operatives is strong in their beliefs and steadfast in their mission to bring the country’s most dangerous criminals to justice. Chris Mundy, Edward Allen Bernero, Mark Gordon and Deborah Spera are executive producers for ABC Studios in association with CBS Television Studios.

CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

2010-2011 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

(N=New, NT=New Time, all times ET/PT)

MONDAY

8:00-8:30 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
8:30-9:00 PM RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
9:00-9:30 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN
9:30-10:00 PM MIKE & MOLLY (N)
10:00-11:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0 (N)

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES
10:00-11:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR (NT)
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM THE DEFENDERS (N)

THURSDAY
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY (NT)
8:30-9:00 PM $#*! MY DAD SAYS (N)
9:00-10:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM MEDIUM (NT)
9:00-10:00 PM CSI: NY (NT)
10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS (N)

SATURDAY
8:00-9:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
10:00-11:00 PM 48 HOURS MYSTERY

SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE
9:00-10:00 PM UNDERCOVER BOSS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: MIAMI (NT)

Last night was a sweeps night which was once again dominated by CBS and the season finale of House

Dancing with the Stars continued its impressive numbers this week, posting an average 4.2 rating and just over 19 million viewers to win the night for ABC. At 10, Castle was second behind CSI: Miami with a 2.4 rating and just over 10 million viewers.

Over on CBS, How I Met Your Mother was up slightly vs last week to a 3.1 (18-49) rating. At 8.30, Rules of Engagement held steady, pulling a 2.9 rating. Two and a Half  Men posted  a strong 4.4 rating at 9, paired with the season finale of The Big Bang Theory which posted a 5.4 rating. Both shows saw gains  of around 10%. At 10, CSI: Miami fell, posting just a 3.0(18-49 rating), down 10%vs last week.

House pulled just a 4.2 (18-49 rating) at 8pm, growing around 20% from last weeks season low. 24 benefitted from this and saw an increase to a 3.0 (18-49 rating) .

NBC went with Chuck at 8pm posting a 1.9 rating and just over 5.2million viewers. A new Law & Order posted a 1.7 rating at 9, followed by another new Law and Order, which averaged a solid 1.8 rating and just over 6.4 million viewers.

The CW went with One Tree Hill at 8, which continued to dominate with a 1.0 rating and just over 2.0 million viewers. At 9, the season finale of Gossip Girl  drew 2 million viewers and a 1.1 (18-49 rating) up 20% vs. last week.

Last year there was a big Subway campaign aimed at saving Chuck. This year, not so much. One campaign was started by Josh Schwartz. It was entitled “Save Chuck, Hack Nielsen”.

 Do I think this is necessary? I don’t really. As unfortunate as it is, Chuck has been one of NBC’s best performers this season (although that wasn’t really a mean feat, was it?). I think that if Warner Bros keeps the license fee at the same level they had it for this season, Chuck’s numbers warrant at least a midseason pick up.

My Guess: Renewed for 13 episodes.

News from multiple media outlets today is that fan favourite Chuck will be back for 13 episodes next season – possibly in the Fall.

The show has averaged a solid 2.2 18-49 rating since returning in January – down slightly vs. last year but not as much as people expected. It has also averaged just over 6 million viewers.

Chuck star Zach Levi tweeted: “Thank you for all the love and kindness. I hope we can make a fourth season that is deserving of all your support. Blessings to you all.”

On a sweeps night that included a visit from Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) himself, it was The Big Bang Theory which took the win for CBS.

Dancing with the Stars continued its impressive numbers this week, posting an average 4.0 rating and just over 19 million viewers to win the night for ABC. At 10, Castle was second behind CSI: Miami with a 2.5 rating and just over 11.4 million viewers.

Over on CBS, How I Met Your Mother was up slightly vs last week to a 3.3 (18-49) rating. At 8.30, Rules of Engagement held steady, pulling a 3.2 rating. Two and a Half  Men was back with a 4.6 rating at 9, paired with a new The Big Bang Theory which posted a 5.2 rating. Both shows saw gains  of around 10%. At 10, CSI: Miami continued its freefall, posting just a 3.3(18-49 rating), up vs last week.

House pulled just a 3.6 (18-49 rating), the lowest demo rating since 2004. 24 saw an increase to a 2.7 (18-49 rating) .

NBC went with Chuck at 8pm posting a 1.9 rating and just over 5.3 million viewers. A Law & Order rerun posted a 1.2 rating at 9, followed by a brand new Law and Order, which averaged a solid 1.7 rating and just over 6 million viewers.

The CW went with One Tree Hill at 8, which continued to dominate with a 1.1 rating and just over 2.1 million viewers. At 9, a new Gossip Girl  drew 1.8 million viewers and just a 0.9 (18-49 rating). Remember that Gossip Girl is the show that has been picked up for a fourth season.

On a night with the return of CBS’ comedy lineup, it was ABC who continued to dominate Monday night.

Dancing with the Stars continued its impressive numbers this week, posting an average 4.7 rating and just over 20 million viewers to win the night for ABC. At 10, Castle won the hour – beating CSI: Miami and posting the second best numbers of the series to date.

The return of  CBS comedy lineup yielded surprisingly low results – around 12% down overall vs. the last batch of original episodes. How I Met Your Mother was significantly down, dropping almost 20% in adults 18-49 to just a 2.8. At 8.30, Rules of Engagement held steady, pulling a 2.8 rating. Two and a Half  Men was back with a 4.6 rating at 9, paired with a new The Big Bang Theory which posted a 5.0. Both shows saw drops of around 10%. At 10, CSI: Miami continued its freefall, posting just a 3.1 (18-49 rating).

House returned for FOX last night, pulling a 4.0 (18-49 rating), a season low. The return did help 24 though, which saw an increase to a 2.6 (18-49 rating) .

NBC was mostly in reruns last night, with Chuck posting a 0.9 rating at 8, a new Trauma posting a 1.3 rating at 9 and a Law & Order rerun posting a 1.1 rating at 10.

The CW went with the season (and possibly series) finale of Life UneXpected at 8 which posted a solid 0.9 18-49 rating and 1.8 million viewers. At 9, a new Gossip Girl also drew 1.8 million viewers but was up a tick in the key demo to a 1.0 (18-49 rating).

Full Breakdown: 

8:00 – ABC – Dancing With The Stars – 4.3 (18-49 rating) – 19.1 million viewers
FOX – House - 4.0 - 10.6 million
CBS – How I Met Your Mother – 2.8 – 6.9 million
NBC – Chuck (repeat) - 0.9 – 2.7 million
CW – Life Unexpected - 0.9 - 1.8 million

8:30 – CBS – Rules of Engagement – 2.8 (18-49 rating) – 7.4 million viewers

9:00 – ABC – Dancing With The Stars – 5.2 (18-49 rating) - 21.4 million viewers
CBS – Two And A Half Men – 4.6 - 13.5 million
FOX – 24 – 2.6 - 8.4 million
NBC – Trauma 1.3 - 4.3 million
CW – Gossip Girl – 1.0 - 1.8 million

9:30 – CBS – The Big Bang Theory – 5.0 (18-49 rating) - 13.1 million viewers

10:00 – ABC – Castle – 3.3 (18-49 rating) – 13.1 million
CBS – CSI: Miami – 3.2 - 10.8 million
NBC – Law & Order (repeat) - 1.2 – 4.1 million

On a night with no new House but the return of 24 to Monday nights, it was How I Met Your Mother that took advantage – hitting season highs in the process.

CBS had a solid Monday night (as usual) with How I Met Your Mother (4.0, 10.5 million) and Accidentally on Purpose (3.5, 9.6 million) hitting season and series highs in their respective timeslots. At 9, Two and a Half Men (5.3, 16.2 million) beat The Big Bang Theory (5.2, 15 million) for the first time in quite a while. CSI: Miami was steady with last week with a 3.6 (18-49) rating and 13.2 million viewers.

ABC came second with two episodes of The Bachelor, posting an average 3.8 and 10.6 million viewers – down slightly vs. last weeks premiere. At 10, Castle continued to improve, posting a 2.8 (18-49) rating and 9.4 million viewers.

24 had its timeslot premiere last night, posting a 3.5 (18-49) rating between 8-10 – good enough for third place for FOX.

NBC went with a brand new Chuck at 8, posting a 2.5 rating and 6.7 million viewers – down .2 in the key demos and over half a million viewers from last week. At 9, Heroes continued with their rapid decline, posting just a 1.8 (18-49) rating and just 3.9 million viewers. At 10 – in what’s rumoured to be one of the very last – Jay Leno Show posted just a 1.3 rating and 4.6 million viewers.

The CW was back in originals last night, with One Tree Hill posting a 1.1 (18-49) rating and 2.2 million viewers leading into the premiere of Life UneXpected, which posted a solid 1.2 (18-49) rating and 2.7 million viewers in its first outing.

Full Breakdown:

8:00 – CBS – How I Met Your Mother – 4.0 (18-49) rating - 10.5 million viewers
ABC – The Bachelor: On The Wings of Love – 3.6 - 10.1 million
FOX – 24 – 3.3 - 10.6 million
NBC – Chuck – 2.5 - 6.7 million
CW – One Tree Hill – 1.1 - 2.2 million

8:30 – CBS – Accidentally on Purpose – 3.5 (18-49) rating - 9.6 million

9:00 – CBS – Two and a Half Men – 5.3 (18-49) rating - 16.2 million viewers
ABC – The Bachelor: On The Wings of Love – 4.1 - 11.1 million
FOX – 24 – 3.6 - 11.5 million
NBC – Heroes – 1.8 - 3.9 million
CW – Life Unexpected – 1.2 - 2.7 million

9:30 – CBS – The Big Bang Theory – 5.2 (18-49) rating - 15.0 million viewers

10:00 – CBS – CSI: Miami – 3.6 (18-49) rating - 13.2 million viewers
ABC – Castle – 2.8 - 9.4 million
NBC - The Jay Leno Show – 1.3 - 4.6 million

Right, so I realise that unless I watch all of the TV shows that are nominated I can’t make an informed decision……but you’d be wrong. If this was a post about  what TV shows I’d want to win, it’d be full of House, How I Met Your Mother, Chuck and Parks and Recreation.

Let’s get down to business:

Pre-show thoughts:

• Ricky Gervais will be hilarious. That’s a given. What I want to know is which star he’ll piss off the most.
• Ryan Seacrest will annoy the bejesus out of me on the red carpet. It happens every year but he does get the best stars (exc. Brangelina, of course!)

The Awards go to:

1. Best Drama Series

Nominees: “Big Love,” “Dexter,” “House,” “Mad Men,” “True Blood”

T’he winner is: Mad Men. I don’t want it to happen but it will. Poor all season but a great finale will ensure the win

Should win: House. If Mad Men can with the only good episode being the finale surely this messed up doc should have a chance. Especially with the 2 hour season opener.

Best Actor, Drama

Nominees: Simon Baker, “The Mentalist,” Michael C. Hall, “Dexter,” Jon Hamm, “Mad Men,” Hugh Laurie, “House,” Bill Paxton, “Big Love”

The winner is: Hugh Laurie (House) – No matter where this show is creatively, Laurie always brings it. Plus, i’ve always loved BlackAdder.

Should win: Hugh Laurie (House) - Stellar performaces, way better than Hamm.

Best Actress, Drama

Nominees: Glenn Close, “Damages,” January Jones, “Mad Men,” Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife,” Anna Paquin, “True Blood,” Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”

The winner is: Glenn Close – Close just has this award in the bag. This awards show just loves her.

Should win: January Jones. Even though Mad Men wasn’t great this season (maybe Matthew Weiner shouldn’t have fired Kater Gorden), January Jones had to show her range – and did it well.

Best Supporting Actor

Nominees: Michael Emerson, “Lost,” Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother,” William Hurt, “Damages,” John Lithgow, “Dexter,” Jeremy Piven, “Entourage”

The winner is: Michael Emerson (LOST) – I love LOST and love how wicked Emerson’s Ben is, but I think there were more deserving actors in this category.

Should win: John Lithgow or Neil Patrick Harris. Lithgow for his creepy turn as the Trinity Killer on “Dexter.” NPH deserves the win for his consistency on How I Met Your Mother and because the EMMY’s sure as hell aren’t gonna give him one…

Best Supporting Actress

Nominees: Jane Adams, “Hung,” Rose Byrne, “Damages,” Jane Lynch, “Glee,” Chloe Sevigny, “Big Love,” Janet McTeer, “Into the Storm”

The winner is: Rose Byrne (Damages) – The voters just love this show. Hopefully we wont have to see this domination any more.

Should Win: Jane Lynch (Glee) - Lynch has always been underrated, which is why she deserves this award (she was also very good as Sue Sylvester this year on Glee)

This not whet your whistle? Check out Gervais’ Globes Promo Below….

According to series co-creator, Josh Schwartz’ twitter, the Quantum Leap and Star Trek star will be back….

The tweet in question read:

Very excited #ScottBakula will be back on #Chuck as Dad. Nicest man on planet. And storyline will be epic!! 36(ish) Hours til premiere!

You can follow Schwartz by clicking here.

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