« January 14 - January 20 February 4 - February 10 »

The DeathWatch Continues!

January 22, 2007

Good news! Due to the overwhelming success of the DeathWatch: Midseason Edition, we’ve decided to extend the game past its original end-date.

With over 33,000 DeathWatchers signed up, and more shows coming to air in the very near future, we don’t see how we could just throw you to the wolves. Hang around the DeathWatch graveyard -- we'll be posting all the changes we have in store for the game, but for now, let’s get to the big news.

The Television Critic’s Association Press Tour came to a halt last week, and now that we’ve sifted through TV Lover’s reports, there’s some pretty impressive news about some of your favorite DeathWatch shows.

Let’s start with “Standoff” – This procedural crime drama about hostage negotiators has long sat on the DeathWatch, hovering around position number 7. Fox has announced that it will be moving the show to Fridays at 8p beginning Friday March 30. It used to be that a move to Fridays was the television equivalent of “dead man walking.” But the networks have seen some strong Friday numbers and seem to want to re-invent the night. We’ll wait and see.

DeathWatch Shows that Haven’t Premiered:
“The Winner”(Fox)-- This half-hour coming-of-age sitcom is from Seth MacFarlane, creator of "Family Guy" and "American Dad." Rob Corddry stars as a rich and successful 43-year-old man who looks back at the period 10 years earlier when he was still living with his parents and a beautiful woman inspired him to grow up and change his life. The series premieres on Sunday March 4 with new episodes airing at 8:30p and 9:30p for three consecutive weeks. It’s current DeathWatch ranking is number 11.

“Raines” (NBC)—Another of the “let’s try it out on Friday nights” shows, this "detective with an overactive imagination" mystery-drama stars Jeff Goldblum and premieres on March 15th. Current ranking: 10, with odds of cancellation at 90:1.

“Safe” DeathWatch Shows
‘Til Death (Fox)-- The Brad Garret sitcom moves timeslots and gets an “American Idol” lead-in. The series has its last Thursday airing on February 15. It will then follow “American Idol” on Tuesday February 27 and Wednesday February 28 before making its time period premiere on Wednesday March 14 at 9:30p

DeathWatch Shows in a “Coma”
Six Degrees (ABC)—We are shocked, yes, shocked that this show is returning to the air. (and actually remain a little skeptical.) The show was pulled from the schedule in early November with “plans” to bring it back to the air. Though the network said last week that it would, in fact, return – they stopped short of naming a date. Viewers can expect the show to feature a creative overhaul and a new addition to the cast, Josh Charles ("Sports Night").

The Nine (ABC)—The network also hinted that “The Nine” may return to the schedule. Again, they failed to give a date, but insiders say that while 13 of its original episodes have been shot -- no new ones are on order.

Cancelled DeathWatch Shows
The little Midseason that couldn’t, "Daybreak" will finish its 13-episode season online, beginning Monday January 29 at ABC.com.

Check back all next week for all the latest in DeathWatch comings and goings.