Networks ax shows, shuffle lineups

"The Michael Richards Show" has officially been cancelled by NBC

HOLLYWOOD, California (Reuters) -- Fox has paved over "The Street," while ABC and NBC have altered their Tuesday night schedules, as the networks announced a slew of midseason schedule changes Thursday.

Also officially dead: NBC's "The Michael Richards Show" and UPN action drama "Freedom." On the critical list is ABC's "Madigan Men," which has been put on indefinite hiatus, with new producers and new cast members on tap, should the show return.

With "Richards" out of the way, NBC will launch a revamped Tuesday lineup January 9. "3rd Rock from the Sun" shifts to the 8 p.m. EST time slot, pitting it against Fox's "That '70s Show." The rookie David Alan Grier comedy, "DAG," moves to 8:30 p.m. EST.

Taking over "DAG's" 9:30 p.m. EST slot: "Three Sisters," a comedy starring Vicki Lewis, A.J. Langer and Katherine LaNasa as a trio of offbeat siblings and their various relationships. Dyan Cannon and Peter Bonerz star as their parents.

Fox has not announced any details on when "The Street" will officially hit the road, or what will replace it. The high-finance series will air a new installment next week; Fox had long planned to air movies the last two Wednesdays of the year. After six weeks, "The Street" has averaged 5.1 million viewers.

Reality newcomer "The Mole" will start January 9 on ABC

Network insiders suggest Fox is considering a four-comedy Wednesday lineup in January, with midseason entry, "Grounded for Life," a possibility. The big question is whether Fox will move "Malcolm in the Middle" from Sundays to Wednesdays. The decision could hinge on where CBS puts "Survivor: The Australian Outback." Fox is unlikely to pit the still-young "Malcolm" opposite the reality juggernaut.

At ABC, reality newcomer, "The Mole," will begin its nine-week run on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST beginning January 9, replacing that night's installment of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," which slides to Fridays at 8 p.m. EST, starting January 5.

ABC hopes the Tuesday "Millionaire" crowd will stick around for another reality series. "The Mole" follows 10 players who must complete a series of tests while trying to figure out the identity of a "mole," whose goal is to sabotage the team's efforts.

Meanwhile, the new Friday "Millionaire" will bump "Two Guys and a Girl" an hour later to 9 p.m. EST, and "Norm" back to 9:30 p.m. EST. "The Trouble with Normal" joins "Madigan Men" on the hiatus shelf.

Over at UPN, the network has been struggling with its Friday night lineup. With the cancellation of "Freedom," the network may opt to air two half-hour series rather than another drama in the 8 p.m. EST slot; shows on the bench include the comedy "Gary and Mike" and sketch series, "Off Limits."

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ABC squeezes by NBC in sweeps race
December 6, 2000
NBC rookie shows on the rocks
December 6, 2000

NBC
CBS
ABC
UPN
Fox

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.