The Extratextuals

The upfront presentations are this week. For those unaware of this ritual, it’s a week during which the networks trump out their Fall schedules to advertisers, often involving lavish parties and hoopla, as a prelude to a massive ad spot buying binge that follows.

The schedule: FOX kicks it off on Monday, NBC and ABC do Tuesday, and CBS and The CW are on Wednesday.

I’ve already discussed NBC’s new shows, since they had an early “infront,” though a few choices remain for the Peacock, including whether to keep Chuck (though reports are now suggesting that my favorite spy, is indeed back, albeit for an abbreviated 13 episode season) and My Name is Earl. But I’ll try to comment on each day’s activities as and when I can.

In the meantime, I’d point readers towards Alan Sepinwall of the New Jersey Star Ledger. Discussing the leaked news that Scrubs, Chuck, and Dollhouse, amongst other existing shows on the bubble, are returning, he offers an interesting thought:

The idea that a new show automatically has a better shot to draw viewers than a marginal returning series may not be the case anymore, and in this scary environment, a steady number is a steady number.

For more signs of what the networks think is going to make life better for them, stay tuned this week.

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