CBS bets on 'CSI' revival, 'NCIS,' 'FBI' franchises in fall
LOS ANGELES (AP) - CBS is reviving its hit 'œCSI: Crime Scene Investigation'ť brand with a series that brings original cast members William Petersen and Jorja Fox back home.
'œCSI: Vegas'ť will debut this fall alongside the network's expansion of its 'œNCIS'ť and "FBI'ť drama franchises, CBS said Wednesday in unveiling its 2021-22 schedule for advertisers and media.
'œNCIS: Hawai'i,'ť starring Vanessa Lachey, will be paired Monday night with 'œNCIS,'ť entering its 19th season with star Mark Harmon. 'œFBI: International'ť will be bookended on Tuesday by family members 'œFBI'ť and 'œFBI: Most Wanted.'ť
Peterson and Fox's characters, who were based in Las Vegas in the original 2000-2015 'œCSI'ť that spawned a trio of spinoffs, will join ranks with a new team of forensic crime-busters led by Paula Newsome ('œChicago Med'ť).
'œWe're very excited to have three new franchise shows come on, which we know are going to help the schedule everywhere'ť they're placed, said Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment. A freshman series with a family pedigree gets a leg up, he said.
Another fall newcomer is the comedy 'œGhosts,'ť about the new owners (Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar) of a country estate that comes with spirits described as 'œeclectic.'ť It's based on a eponymous British series, a critical darling.
Midseason shows will include the medical drama 'œGood Sam," with Sophia Bush and Jason Isaacs; the comedy 'œSmallwood,'ť starring Pete Holmes, Katie Lowes and Chi McBride and based on pro bowler Tom Smallwood's second-act career, and the reality show 'œCome Dance With Me.'ť
An unusual entry is 'œThe Activist,'ť described as a competition in which teams try to bring 'œmeaningful change'ť in the areas of health, education or the environment. The goal: to seek funding and awareness from world leaders at an international summit.
The drama 'œAll Rise'ť and comedy 'œThe Unicorn'ť have been canceled.
Two CBS series will be making the jump to streaming on Paramount+, the network's ViacomCBS corporate sibling. Dramas 'œEvil'ť and 'œSeal Team'ť will be available only on the service, although the latter will air four episodes on CBS this fall before its time slot goes to another series.
CBS' night-by-night fall schedule, all times Eastern:
MONDAY
8 p.m. - 'œThe Neighborhood.'ť
8:30 p.m. - "Bob Hearts Abishola."
9 p.m. - 'œNCIS."
10 p.m. - 'œNCIS: Hawai'i.'ť
Tuesday:
8 p.m. - 'œFBI."
9 p.m. - 'œFBI: International."
10 p.m. - 'œFBI: Most Wanted."
Wednesday:
8 p.m. - 'œSurvivor."
9 p.m. - 'œTough as Nails.'ť
10 p.m. - 'œCSI: Vegas.'ť
Thursday:
8 p.m. - 'œYoung Sheldon.'ť
8:30 p.m. - 'ťUnited States of Al."
9 p.m. - 'œGhosts.'ť
9:30 p.m. - 'œB Positive.'ť
10 p.m. - 'œBull."
Friday:
8 p.m. - 'œS.W.A.T.'ť
9 p.m. - 'œMagnum P.I.'ť
10 p.m. 'œBlue Bloods.'ť
Saturday:
8-10 p.m. - Saturday reruns.
10 p.m. - 'œ48 Hours.'ť
Sunday:
7 p.m. - 'œ60 Minutes.'ť
8 p.m. - 'œThe Equalizer.'ť
9 p.m. 'œNCIS: Los Angeles.'ť
10 p.m. 'œSeal Team.'ť