With so many of its freshman and sophomore shows in a downward ratings spiral, NBC is doing some much needed rethinking. So to rescue Life from its Friday night slot-of-death, the network is shifting it to what it's calling an "All New Crime Block Lineup" on Wednesday nights, to air between the mystifyingly-full-season-ordered Knight Rider and the soon-to-return venerable Law & Order flagship.That might seem like a problem for Lipstick Jungle, which now inherits the Friday night berth, but the news might not be so bad; "chick shows" like Ghost Whisperer on CBS and, in years past on NBC, Providence tend to be the things that work best on the first night of the weekend.
In fact, Lipstick Jungle now unfortunately will go head-to-head with another new "chick" show I like, The Ex List. I want 'em both to make it, and I'll be rooting for Brooke Shields and Co., with their show which is fun and shot right here in NYC. But NBC, did you have to give this sexy, urbane Jungle a desert island of a lead-in, with ancient demographics, like Crusoe?
Okay, everyone -- time to go reorder your season passes on your TiVo!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NBC ANNOUNCES PRIMETIME SCHEDULE CHANGES: ‘LAW & ORDER’ PREMIERES WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 5, FOLLOWING ‘KNIGHT RIDER’ AND ‘LIFE’ IN ALL NEW CRIME BLOCK LINEUP AND ‘LIPSTICK JUNGLE’ JOINS FRIDAY LINEUP ON OCTOBER 31
‘Momma’s Boys’ Premiere Moves to Tuesday, December 16 After ‘The Biggest Loser’ Finale
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- NBC adds more drama to its Wednesday night schedule when an all-new season of "Law & Order" premieres Wednesday, November 5, (10-11 p.m. ET), following "Knight Rider" (8-9 p.m. ET) and "Life" (9-10 p.m. ET) in its new day and time period. Likewise, the network also re-shapes Fridays with "Lipstick Jungle" stepping in behind "Crusoe," (9-10 p.m. ET) beginning Friday, October 31 (10-11 p.m. ET).
In addition, "Momma's Boys" – from executive producers Ryan Seacrest and Andrew Glassman -- will now debut Tuesday, December 16 (10-11 p.m. ET) after the season finale of "The Biggest Loser" (8-10 p.m. ET). The alternative series will then return in its regular day and time of Mondays beginning December 22 (9-10 p.m. ET) after "Heroes" ends its current volume on December 15. ("Momma's Boys'" previously announced debut date was Wednesday, November 12).
The announcements were made by Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff, Co-Chairmen, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.
"These moves will play to the shows' mutual strengths and will help us to reinforce our lineup," said Silverman and Graboff. "A Wednesday night with wall-to-wall satisfying mysteries and great dramas -- paced by the return of the original 'Law & Order' to its home on Wednesdays – will provide creative continuity that night. Fridays will feature escapist drama with 'Lipstick Jungle' joining 'Crusoe.' Additionally, this strategy for 'Momma's Boys' offers the show a more favorable launch platform."
"Law & Order," the longest-running crime series and the second-longest-running drama series in the history of television, enters its 19th season with returning characters Detective Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and partner, Detective Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson), who investigate crimes and apprehend suspects under the supervision of their precinct lieutenant, Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) and the Executive Assistant District Attorney Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) are back maneuvering within a complicated justice system to prosecute the accused under the guidance of District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston). The show is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios. Dick Wolf is creator and executive producer; Rene Balcer, Fred Berner and Peter Jankowski are the executive producers.Airing in the Wednesday 10-11 p.m. (ET) hour last season, "Law & Order" averaged a 3.3 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 10.8 million viewers overall, a 22 percent increase in 18-49 and a 20 percent jump in total viewers versus its results for the prior season, when it ran on Friday nights.
The Wall Street Journal called "Life" "...a steady burn – of talent, of smart writing, of chemical reactions." The New York Daily News called it "brilliant" and "sizzling" and the Dallas Morning News called it "a new-age 'Rockford Files.'"
The New York Daily News said "Lipstick' stands alone this year as heir to the 'Sex and the City' legacy - glamorous, successful women living, losing, loving and most of all bonding in the big city." In Touch Weekly said of "Lipstick Jungle": "The sexy, stylish show hits its stride in its second season."
Law & Order to save NBC again. They really need to promote the show. The new talent are great additions and the show is better than it's been in years.
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