or


[11/04/03 - 12:00 AM]
CBS Trims 'Becker,' 'Stones' and 'Reagans'
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- CBS has put the future of its veteran comedy "Becker" in limbo once again as the network announced yesterday it will not order any additional episodes this season beyond the 13 originally ordered. The series however is not canceled and remains in contention for the network's fall 2004 schedule.

In addition, the Eye has also rolled back its commitment to its midseason comedy "The Stones," opting to halt production on the series after nine episodes, four short of its original 13 episode order. Both moves were in reaction to a lack of real estate on CBS' schedule. With all of its comedies performing well, CBS executives didn't see the need to overstock its midseason commitments as it had in previous years (i.e. second seasons of "Baby Bob" and "Ladies Man" as well as "Charlie Lawrence," all of which ended up being dumped into summer runs). With 22 episodes between "Becker" and "The Stones," CBS will more or less have a complete season for the Wednesday, 9:30/8:30c half-hour.

The news marks the latest chapter in a bizarre history for both "Becker" and "The Stones." The latter was originally scheduled to premiere this fall in the Wednesday, 9:30/8:30c slot while the former wasn't even renewed for its current season when CBS announced its fall lineup back in May. A month later, CBS executives decided to give "Becker" a 13-episode order for midseason and a month after that bumped "The Stones" to midseason in favor of a fall start for "Becker." "The Stones" will now bow some time in the spring, taking over for "Becker" in the Wednesday, 9:30/8:30c slot.

Meanwhile in other CBS news, the network has decided not to air its controversial mini-series "The Reagans." The project had been a recent source of debate as script reviews by various publications called into question the mini-series' authenticity when it came to the beloved Republication figure. In a statement to the press, CBS said:

CBS will not broadcast THE REAGANS on November 16 and 18. This decision is based solely on our reaction to seeing the final film, not the controversy that erupted around a draft of the script.

Although the mini-series features impressive production values and acting performances, and although the producers have sources to verify each scene in the script, we believe it does not present a balanced portrayal of the Reagans for CBS and its audience. Subsequent edits that we considered did not address those concerns.

A free broadcast network, available to all over the public airwaves, has different standards than media the public must pay to view. We do, however, recognize and respect the filmmakers' right to have their voice heard and their film seen. As such, we have reached an agreement to license the exhibition rights for the film to Showtime, a subscriber-based, pay-cable network. We believe this is a solution that benefits everyone involved.

This was not an easy decision to make. CBS does tackle controversial subjects and provide tough assessments of prominent historical figures and events, as we did with films such as 'Jesus,' '9-11' and 'Hitler.' We will continue to do so in the future."

It's not clear when the project will air on the pay channel.





  [november 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· 9/11 (CBS)
· BABY BOB (CBS)
· BECKER (CBS)
· CHARLIE LAWRENCE (CBS)
· HITLER: THE RISE OF EVIL (CBS)
· JESUS (CBS)
· LADIES MAN (CBS)
· REAGANS, THE (SHOWTIME)
· STONES, THE (CBS)





[05/09/25 - 01:18 PM]
ABC News Announces Primetime Special on the Historic Election of the First-Ever American Pope
The one-hour special, "The American Pope: Leo XIV - A Special Edition of 20/20," airs tonight, Friday, May 9 on ABC.

[05/09/25 - 12:30 PM]
FOX Greenlights "The Faithful," A Powerful Three-Week Biblical Event Series, for Broadcast Spring of 2026
This landmark drama is based on The Old Testament's Book of Genesis and told through the eyes of the courageous and passionate, yet flawed women whose descendants would shape three of the world's great faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

[05/09/25 - 12:01 PM]
ID Announces May 19 Premiere Date for "Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams?"
The hour-long special presented by "Extra" will premiere Monday, May 19 at 8:00/7:00c on ID and will be available to stream on Max.

[05/09/25 - 11:00 AM]
FOX Greenlights "Best Medicine," An Irreverent Medical Series Based on the Critically Acclaimed Global Hit "Doc Martin"
Wholly owned by FOX Entertainment, the series comes from executive producers Ben Silverman, Rodney Ferrell, Liz Tuccillo, Mark Crowdy and Philippa Braithwaite, and is set to debut in the 2025-2026 season.

[05/09/25 - 10:01 AM]
Peacock Announces a Compelling, Heartwarming and Villainous Slate of New Unscripted Series
New series greenlights include "Tiffany Haddish Goes Off" and "Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together;" a third season of "House of Villains," along with true crime documentaries "Gilgo Beach Killer: The House of Secrets" and "The Idaho Student Murders" as well as "Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks" docuseries.

[05/09/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: BET+ Original Movie - "Onyx"
Three friends try and escape the daily grind and support their friend recovering from a bad breakup by going on a rural Arizona adventure camp when they inadvertently get caught in an alien invasion.

[05/09/25 - 09:04 AM]
Season Two of the Max Original Series "Peacemaker," From DC Studios, Debuts August 21
John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick return for season two.

[05/09/25 - 08:51 AM]
Peacock Announces Series Pickup of Seth MacFarlane's "Ted" Animated Spin-Off
MacFarlane, Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried and Jessica Barth will all reprise their roles from the film franchise.

[05/09/25 - 08:19 AM]
Now Filming: Hulu Original Series "Rivals" Season 2
The drama returns with an extended season of 12 episodes - and even more wit, desire, and dramatic twists.

[05/09/25 - 07:01 AM]
"A Man on the Inside" Season 2 - Now in Production!
Created by Mike Schur, season two will see Charles (Ted Danson) going undercover at a college.

[05/09/25 - 06:02 AM]
Lifetime Greenlights New Original Movie, "Pretty Hurts," Starring Haylie Duff, Sarah Borne, and Kaci Barker Premiering June 28 Brought to You by GSK
The film includes a storyline that highlights meningococcal disease, known as meningitis, to help educate parents of teens and young adults about the uncommon, but potentially life-threatening illness for which 16- to 23-year-olds are at increased risk.

[05/09/25 - 05:01 AM]
Netflix Announces Its First-Ever Nordic Medical Drama Starring Sara Khorami in the Lead Role
At the emergency ward, it doesn't matter who you are - rich or poor, influencer, carpenter, or minister.

[05/08/25 - 05:01 PM]
SO JI-SUB Returns with Cold and Intense Noir Action Series "Mercy for None", Premiering June 6
Joining him are Huh Joon-ho, Gong Myoung, Choo Young Woo, An Kil-kang, Tiger Lee, Cho Han-cheul, along with special appearances by Cha Seung Won and Lee Jun-hyuk.

[05/08/25 - 01:01 PM]
Video: "The Survivors" - Official Trailer - Netflix
15 years ago, the loss of three young people tore this sleepy seaside town apart. Now, the mysterious death of a young woman dredges up the past.

[05/08/25 - 12:59 PM]
Lifetime Announces New Original Movie "Dateless to Dangerous: My Son's Secret Life" Starring Jodie Sweetin, Alexander Elliot and Nikki Roumel Premiering June 21
The gripping drama deals with teens as they navigate identity, acceptance, social alienation and explores the rising subculture of incels - usually involuntarily celibate men.