“CSI” won’t begin its ninth season until Oct. 9 — and fans can blame John McCain and Barack Obama for the delay.
The top-rated crime drama will stay off the air until the third week of the 2008-09 television season due to political debates scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26, and Thursday, Oct. 2. The first is a presidential showdown, while the yet-to-be selected vice presidential candidates are expected to square off the following week.
It’s a significant inconvenience for CBS, since “CSI” is the network’s most-watched show, as well as the anchor of its lucrative Thursday night lineup. On the positive side, the delay means there will be fewer in-season repeats of “CSI.”
Overall, CBS is taking a traditional approach to its fall rollout, unveiling the bulk of its programming during the first week of the season, which begins Sept. 22.
The network’s full Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday schedules will kick off during premiere week. Friday newcomer “The Ex List,” along with returning dramas “Ghost Whisperer” and “Numbers,” premiere the second week of the season, on Oct. 3.
As for Thursdays, 8 p.m.: anchor “Survivor” will, as usual, premiere a week early, on Sept. 18. And new Jerry Bruckheimer drama “Eleventh Hour” will round out the CBS premiere slate by debuting Thursday, Oct. 9, at 10, right after “CSI.”
Here’s a night-by-night guide to the CBS rollout:
CBS’ 2008-2009 Premiere Dates
Thursday, Sept. 18 8-9 p.m.: Survivor (17th season premiere)
Monday, Sept. 22 8-8:30 p.m.: The Big Bang Theory (2nd season premiere) 8:30-9 p.m.: How I Met Your Mother (4th season premiere) 9-9:30 p.m.: Two and a Half Men (6th season premiere) 9:30-10 p.m.: Worst Week (series debut) 10-11 p.m.: CSI: Miami (7th season premiere)
Tuesday, Sept. 23 8-9 p.m.: NCIS (6th season premiere) 9-10 p.m.: The Mentalist (series debut) 10-11 p.m.: Without a Trace (7th season premiere)
Wednesday, Sept. 24 8-8:30 p.m.: The New Adventures of Old Christine (4th season premiere) 8:30-9 p.m.: Project Gary (series debut) 9-10 p.m.: Criminal Minds (4th season premiere) 10-11 p.m.: CSI: NY (5th season premiere)
Sunday, Sept. 28 7:00-8 p.m.: 60 Minutes (41st season premiere) 8-9 p.m.: The Amazing Race (13th edition) 9-10 p.m.: Cold Case (6th season premiere) 10-11 p.m.: The Unit (4th season premiere)
Friday, Oct. 3 8-9 p.m.: Ghost Whisperer (4th season premiere) 9-10 p.m.: The Ex List (series premiere) 10-11 p.m.: Numb3rs (5th season premiere)
Thursday, Oct. 9 9-10 p.m.: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (9th season premiere) 10-11 p.m.: Eleventh Hour (series debut)
Originally posted by WlcmDoNotDisturb90210: CW needs to renew Farmer Wants A Wife. Those finale numbers are great.
It was in the summer and it had over 2 million viewers each episode. Most of The CW shows were lucky to get that in the regular season. I would renew it and put it at 9pm in the fall on Friday's, or renew it for the summer.
Yes, it doesn't matter if you like it or not, this is one of the best new performers the CW has had in its two years on the air. It should/must find a spot on the regular schedule come January 2009.
Interesting that these two series are not premiering until about 2 weeks after everything else. I can understand waiting on the new series Eleventh Hour, but why CSI?
quote:
Thursday, Oct. 9 9-10 p.m.: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (9th season premiere) 10-11 p.m.: Eleventh Hour (series debut)
Originally posted by TV-aholic: Interesting that these two series are not premiering until about 2 weeks after everything else. I can understand waiting on the new series Eleventh Hour, but why CSI?
Why? Are you saying you don't buy into the excuse that it is the result of the debate coverage? Fans of CSI should be glad for fewer in season reruns. At least, fewer airing on Thursdays. There will likely still be plenty on Saturday.
Originally posted by TV-aholic: Interesting that these two series are not premiering until about 2 weeks after everything else. I can understand waiting on the new series Eleventh Hour, but why CSI?
quote:
Thursday, Oct. 9 9-10 p.m.: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (9th season premiere) 10-11 p.m.: Eleventh Hour (series debut)
I guess CBS does not want to air the premiere episodes on Sept 25th, during premiere week, only to have both shows pre-empted the following week due to the debate.
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Didn't realize that debates had been already set this far in advance.
I knew there had to be a scheduling conflict of some sort
quote:
Originally posted by Zedman2:
quote:
Originally posted by TV-aholic: Interesting that these two series are not premiering until about 2 weeks after everything else. I can understand waiting on the new series Eleventh Hour, but why CSI?
quote:
Thursday, Oct. 9 9-10 p.m.: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (9th season premiere) 10-11 p.m.: Eleventh Hour (series debut)
I guess CBS does not want to air the premiere episodes on Sept 25th, during premiere week, only to have both shows pre-empted the following week due to the debate.
Outstanding Comedy Series Finalists Curb Your Enthusiasm Entourage Family Guy Flight of the Conchords The Office Pushing Daisies 30 Rock Two and a Half Men Ugly Betty Weeds
Outstanding Drama Series Finalists Boston Legal Damages Dexter Friday Night Lights Grey’s Anatomy House Lost Mad Men The Tudors The Wire
This message has been edited. Last edited by: lopez,
Originally posted by lopez: Emmy Top 10 Finalists - Comedy & Drama
Outstanding Comedy Series Finalists Curb Your Enthusiasm Entourage Family Guy Flight of the Conchords The Office Pushing Daisies 30 Rock Two and a Half Men Ugly Betty Weeds
Outstanding Drama Series Finalists Boston Legal Damages Dexter Friday Night Lights Grey’s Anatomy House Lost Mad Men The Tudors The Wire
Argh... Boston Legal made it through again. This is just ridiculous. I'm surprised that Desperate Housewives was not on the list... I don't watch the show but from all the buzz it sounded this season had been quite good. It is also weird that Grey's made it through, everyone was $hitting on that show until last 5 post strike episodes.
A solid list of Emmy finalists...thanks for posting, Lopez.
The only shows that I might have included would have been the comedy Men In Trees (instead of Two and a Half Men) and the drama Brothers & Sisters (instead of House).
Were I a member of the Academy's blue-ribbon panel judging this bake-off list for the final five, here would be my Emmy nomination choices:
Outstanding Comedy Series Flight of the Conchords The Office Pushing Daisies 30 Rock Weeds
Outstanding Drama Series Boston Legal Damages Friday Night Lights Lost Mad Men
Originally posted by lost_fan: Argh... Boston Legal made it through again. This is just ridiculous.
Says someone whose probably never watched the show, therefore, missing out on the only program that really makes you think about life and still manages to give you a hearty laugh week after week.
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