NBC makes changes to fall schedule
'Kath' airs Thursdays, 'Jobs' bows in Sept.

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

NBC is upgrading frosh laffer "Kath & Kim" to Thursday nights, while also moving reality competish "America's Toughest Jobs" into the fall.

Shifts were among the tweaks announced Friday as Pea**** unveiled its fall premiere dates. NBC originally announced its fall sked in April, but reserved the right to make tweaks after the other nets revealed their plans.

So far, the changes are few. "Kath & Kim," the Australian adaptation starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair, will now air Thursdays at 9:30 starting Oct. 9. NBC had originally planned to air "The Office" repeats there, as well as several election-themed half-hour versions of "Saturday Night Live."

Instead, "SNL's Thursday Night Live" will now air on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 9, 16 and 23. "30 Rock" will then move into that slot starting Oct. 30.

Also on Thursdays, "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office" return with one-hour episodes on Sept. 25, along with "ER." Comedies slide back to half-hours the following week; NBC has no plans to repeat last's year's strategy of airing several one-hour "Office" segs in the fall.

Meanwhile, because "Kath & Kim" has moved out of Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser: Families," which was originally set to air as a 90-minute show (to accommodate the comedy), will now run as a two-hour show. "Biggest Loser" bows after "America's Got Talent" completes its run. Also on Tuesdays, "Law & Order: SVU" is back on Sept. 23 in its usual 10 p.m. slot.

As for the other major shift to NBC's fall sked, "America's Toughest Jobs" had originally been slated for Summer 2009. Instead, reality skein - the first from NBC's reality output deal with BermanBraun and Original's Thom Beers - will bow with a two-hour seg on Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m., and continue at 8 p.m. over the following five weeks. Show then moves to 9 p.m. starting Oct. 24.

Move means gamer "Deal or No Deal" will now air just once a week, instead of the originally planned two segs.

"America's Toughest Jobs" takes a breather on Oct. 17 to make room for the two-hour premiere of drama "Crusoe," which bows that night at 8 p.m. Friday's other series, "Life," moves into its 10 p.m. slot on Oct. 3.

Mondays kick off Sept. 22 with a "Heroes" clip show at 8 p.m. and a two-hour bow at 9 p.m. Sophomore skein "Chuck" returns the following week, Sept. 29, at 8 p.m., while newcomer "My Own Worst Enemy," starring Christian Slater, rolls into its 10 p.m. slot.

Wednesdays are also back on premiere week, with newcomer "Knight Rider" bowing at 8 p.m. on Sept. 24, along with the return of "Lipstick Jungle," which airs at 10 p.m. Gamer "Deal or No Deal" returns after the finale of "America's Got Talent."

Re: Heroes three-hour third season premiere. This makes sense.

I never understood why they were planning to air what will be their highest-rated block of programming all year a week before the season officially begins.

Also, it's funny that pea**** is censored in the above post (and this one too).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: thedemonhog,

I think moving Kath & Kim was an excellent decision. Before the show didn't have a chance on Tuesdays, but the show will benefit from having an Office lead in now.

quote:

Originally posted by Neurotic21:
I think moving Kath & Kim was an excellent decision. Before the show didn't have a chance on Tuesdays, but the show will benefit from having an Office lead in now.

Not necessarily. The show is a modest hit at best, and could never do much for funny shows like "Scrubs" and "30 Rock". "The Biggest Loser" actually has better ratings.

Right, but Kath & Kim didn't seem like a natural fit with The Biggest Loser, which is why I believe it is a good decision. At least it is now part of the NBC comedy block. Since that night is so weak (ratings-wise) there won't be the same expectation for it as long as it holds a respectable number out of The Office.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Neurotic21,