Could racy Showtime hits Weeds, Dexter, and The Tudors be heading to primetime on CBS?It certainly looks that way, based on comments made by CBS topper Leslie Moonves, who says that the Tiffany network will look to repurpose Showtime's slate of edgy series.
"Dexter is probably the first one to go on -- with some edits, "Mooves said. "It fits with our crime shows."
(I don't want to argue with Moonves that his crime series typically feature law enforcement officers solving murders rather than, you know, committing them, but who am I to quibble?)
There's no launch date as of yet for Dexter other than indications that it will air "in the near future," but the strength of the crime drama's second season ratings point towards a potential primetime hit for CBS.
Sister series Weeds, which recently wrapped its third season, and period drama The Tudors may also bow on the Eye, but both would require judicious editing due to the strong sexual content and adult language on both. (If the strike persists, I'd imagine CBS will be getting editors involved with those shows pronto.)
Showtime's execs were quick to counter that CBS had been reviewing their programming slate but noted that no deals were in place.
Elsewhere, NBC is said to be considering repurposing USA's action drama Burn Notice, which seems like a good fit for the Peacock's blend of action and comedy. Perhaps it can fill in for the already-missed freshman drama Chuck?
Which leads me to wonder: what cable series would you like to see make the jump to broadcast network? Should Battlestar Galactica and Top Chef air on NBC? Would you watch The Shield on FOX? Discuss.
What's On Tonight
8 pm: Kid Nation (CBS); Deal or No Deal (NBC; 8-10 pm); America's Next Top Model (CW); Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (ABC); Back to You/'Til Death (FOX)
9 pm: Criminal Minds (CBS); Gossip Girl (CW); Private Practice (ABC); Kitchen Nightmares
10 pm: CSI: New York (CBS); Life (NBC); Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)
What I'll Be Watching
8 pm: America's Next Top Model.
On tonight's episode ("The Girls Go to the Great Wall"), the girls get a Chinese history lesson from J. Alexander and soon-to-be-gone Twiggy while they move into their new home in Beijing; later, they face a challenge in which they must transform some traditional Chinese garb into their own inimitable style, one girl gives another bad advice, and they participate in a warrior-themed photo shoot at the Great Wall.
10 pm: Dirty Sexy Money.
On tonight's episode of the highly addictive screwball soap ("The Nutcracker"), Nick uncovers Karen's tryst with Simon Elders, which threatens to derail a Darling family tradition and unsettles Nick more than he can admit; Brian tells Tripp he wants to leave the ministry and work for him instead; Juliet falls for her visitor from the Seychelles; Carmelita is convinced she's being followed; and Lisa helps Jeremy impress Sofia with his art, but was that them locking lips in the promo? I can't wait!
10 pm: Project Runway on Bravo.
Season Four of Bravo's Project Runway continues. On tonight's episode, the designers are separated into teams, leading to much angst, chaos, as well as a fair share of tears and recriminations, when they are tasked with transforming a fashion "don't" into a fashion "do."
Comments
I would hope that others would join me in not helping the fatcats extend this strike.
But please please please don't move Battlestar Galactica from the SciFi Channel. I don't see that going well. The network would edit it to death, and what happens when they get tired of it? I'd rather take my chances with it on SciFi. On the other hand, maybe that would broaden its audience, increase its popularity, and keep it on the air longer. Hmm...