Winning at Network Schedule Survivor In a couple of weeks, the broadcast networks convene in New York for the annual upfront presentations, showing off their new fall schedules in hopes of wooing ad dollars. Odds are very good that the words "fresh," "young," "upscale" and "Here's our desperate attempt to win back 18- to 34-year-old males who only care about 'SportsCenter' and video games" will be said. OK, maybe not that last one (but you know they're thinking it).Here's a look at what was presented at last year's upfronts to see who won, who lost and who's still in the running (all results subject to change according to network whims).ABCGone: "Karen Sisco" (angering many critics); "Threat Matrix"; "Married to the Kellys"; "L.A. Dragnet"; "10-8"; "The Practice" (although that has a fall spinoff); network chiefs Lloyd Braun and Susan Lyne.Renewed: "According to Jim"; "My Wife and Kids"; "NYPD Blue" (for one more year); "Extreme Makeover"; "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"; "George Lopez"; "Hope & Faith"; "America's Funniest Home Videos"; "Alias."On the bubble: "8 Simple Rules"; "I'm with Her"; "It's All Relative."Feeling optimistic: "Less Than Perfect"; "Life With Bonnie."Conclusion: ABC honchos have the life expectancy of fruit flies.Prediction: With an all-new team in place, who the heck knows?CBSGone: "Becker"; "The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire"; "The Handler."Renewed: "CSI: Miami"; "Two and a Half Men"; "Navy NCIS"; "Survivor"; "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"; "Without a Trace"; "Joan of Arcadia"; "Cold Case."On the bubble: "The Guardian"; "The District."Feeling optimistic: "Yes, Dear"; "Still Standing"; "Everybody Loves Raymond" (perhaps for a shortened season); "Judging Amy"; "JAG."Conclusion: No worries for "Eye" chief Les Moonves, despite a few high-profile embarrassments ("The Reagans," Janet). Although NBC's midseason reality hit "The Apprentice" slowed CBS' march to dominance on Thursdays, as long as uber-producer Jerry Bruckheimer stays healthy, things are looking good. His casting of big-screen star Gary Sinise somewhat allayed fears that the "CSI" franchise was being stretched too far with "CSI: New York."Prediction: Thumbs up.FOXGone: "Skin"; "A Minute With Stan Hooper"; "Wanda at Large"; "Luis"; "Boston Public"; "Oliver Beene"; "The Ortegas."Renewed: "24"; "That '70s Show"; "The O.C."; "Cops"; "America's Most Wanted"; "The Simpsons," "The Bernie Mac Show," "Malcolm in the Middle."On the bubble: "Arrested Development."Feeling optimistic: "Tru Calling"; "King of the Hill."Conclusion: Again proving that no show is too good to die, Fox quickly axed the well-received "Skin," then the critically acclaimed midseason entry "Wonderfalls." Another midseason drama, "Still Life," is missing in action. Reality guru Mike Darnell continues to go ever lower (i.e. "The Swan"), and without "American Idol," "24" and "The O.C.," it could have been a very dark season.Prediction: Who knows? Maybe the departure of Fox Television Entertainment Group Chairman Sandy Grushow signals a change.NBCGone: "Frasier"; "Good Morning, Miami"; "Ed"; "Friends"; "Coupling"; "Miss Match"; "Boomtown"; "The Lyon's Den."Renewed: "Fear Factor"; "Las Vegas"; "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"; "The West Wing"; "Law & Order"; "ER"; "Will & Grace"; "American Dreams"; "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."On the bubble: "Whoopi"; "Happy Family."Feeling optimistic: "Third Watch"; "Scrubs."Conclusion: With its former "Must See TV" comedies gone, and the disgraceful slow death of "Boomtown," NBC had better light candles for the health of its Thursday-night staple "ER," and "Law & Order" creator Dick Wolf (who has another "L&O" in the pipeline).Prediction: It all hinges on development. Entertainment chief Jeff Zucker has moved upstairs, and FX's Kevin Reilly has come in, so it's a crapshoot.UPNGone: "The Parkers"; "The Mullets"; "Jake 2.0."Renewed: "WWE Smackdown!"On the bubble: "Rock Me Baby"; "Star Trek: Enterprise."Feeling optimistic: "Eve"; "Girlfriends"; "Half & Half"; "One on One"; "All of Us."Conclusion: The odd couple of urban comedies and pro wrestling keeps UPN alive, along with the midseason boost of "America's Next Top Model." Dramas remain weak.Prediction: With upcoming projects as diverse as Amish teens in the city, and Missy Elliott's search for the next hip-hop star, UPN is casting a wide net under the dual stewardship of Moonves and Dawn Ostroff. But can a network survive on comedy, models and wrestling?The WBGone: "Angel"; "Tarzan."Renewed: "7th Heaven"; "Everwood"; "Gilmore Girls"; "One Tree Hill"; "Smallville"; "Charmed."On the bubble: "Run of the House"; "Like Family"; "All About the Andersons."Feeling optimistic: "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment"; "What I Like About You"; "Reba"; "Grounded for Life."Conclusion: "Angel" fans are loyal, but too few. Despite the "Tarzan" debacle, the Frog has kept its drama lineup stable, leaving limited room for new shows (such as the just-picked-up "Jack and Bobby," from "Everwood" creator Greg Berlanti and "The West Wing's" Thomas Schlamme). Ratings are down overall, and it doesn't help that the breakout WB-type show of the year, "The O.C.," is on Fox.Prediction: Provided it gets picked up, John Wells' "Dark Shadows" had better prove it was worth the loss of "Angel." Otherwise, it looks like status quo for the Frog.
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