CBS tries to get over ‘Raymond,’ ‘JAG’

This week in New York, broadcast networks begin to unveil their fall season schedules to advertisers. It’s the kickoff of the biggest event of the year in the television business -- known as the “upfronts” -- when advertisers are urged to buy prime-time commercial spots before the 2005-06 season begins.

CBS tries to get over ‘Raymond,’ ‘JAG’

CBS has long been No. 1 in total viewers, and this season it’s battling ABC for second place among the young adults whom advertisers covet. But for next season, the network has some significant holes in its schedule, with the long-running “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “JAG” going off the air. A look at what’s coming:

WHAT’S NEW

Title: Description

“Threshold”: A Brannon Braga (“Star Trek Enterprise”) genre pilot that centers on a possible alien invasion. Braga co-wrote the script and is co-executive producing with David Goyer.

“Quantico”: From Jeff Davis and Mark Gordon (“Grey’s Anatomy”), a suspense thriller set inside the FBI’s behavioral analysis unit.

“American Crime”: A drama series about a female prosecutor who works in a Midwestern suburb and tracks the “why” behind the crimes she investigates. Created by Jim Leonard, who also co-executive produces it with Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman.

“Ghost Whisper”: From psychic James van Praagh, a young newlywed talks to the dead. John Gray is on tap to write and direct the pilot, along with Ian Sander and Kim Moses.

“The Unit”: A midseason show, about the lives of a special forces unit and their families. From “The Shield” collaborators David Mamet and Shawn Ryan.

“How I Met Your Mother”: A man looks back on his single life, 20 years in the future. Written and co-produced by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas.

Untitled: An untitled Keenan/Lloyd project with Stockard Channing and Henry Winkler.

“Everything I Know About Men”: Based on the BBC comedy “According to Bex,” about a single young woman judging all the men. Likely midseason.

‘My Wife & Kids’ among ABC cuts

ABC, which comes in strong this fall with hits like “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives,” canceled low-performing shows, including “My Wife & Kids” and “Eyes,” and moved several shows to new weekday time slots. It also opted to hold on to “George Lopez,” “Hope & Faith” and “Jake in Progress.”

NEW SHOW UPDATE

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“The Miracle Workers”: An elite team of physicians works with revolutionary medical treatments.: Midseason

WHAT ELSE

“Eyes” and “Blind Justice” were dropped, as were “The Benefactor,” “Life As We Know It” and “NYPD Blue.”

‘Be Young,’ but older’s OK at the WB

The WB, which has enjoyed an audience of young, hip viewers, introduced its new motto, “Be Young,” on screens at Tuesday’s presentation to advertisers. But executives said the network also hopes to broaden its reach with new pickups such as “Just Legal,” which is about a lawyer (Don Johnson) who teams up with an 18-year-old whiz kid, and “Twins,” a sitcom starring Melanie Griffith as a ditzy mom.

NEW SHOW UPDATE

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“Twins”: Starring Sara Gilbert and Molly Stanton as twins who are opposites. Melanie Griffith plays their air-headed mom; Mark Linn-Baker as their dad. From the creators of “Will & Grace.”: 8:30 p.m. Friday

WHAT ELSE

Jerry Bruckheimer is producing his first comedy for the WB, “Modern Men,” which is aimed for midseason. Also, the cult favorite “Jack & Bobby” was dropped because of low ratings.

For more information on the new shows, visit calendarlive.com/upfront.

Los Angeles Times