Cbs Shuffles Sked For 7 Rookie Series

More upfront news on page 4.



The eye network wouldn't blink or even wink Tuesday when it came to guarding details about its 2003-04 season scheduling moves, to be unveiled today at a presentation to advertisers at New York's Carnegie Hall.

CBS brass were adhering to chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves' edict to keep a viselike grip on information about the scheduling fate of new and returning series. Even producers and studio executives are traditionally kept out of the CBS loop at this time of year, and this upfront week has been no exception.

Despite the gag order, sources said it was looking very likely that CBS would shake up its Monday comedy block. "The King of Queens," which has held the Monday 8 p.m. slot since 1999, is rumored to be headed to 8 p.m. Wednesday to anchor a comedy hour filled out possibly by the sophomore season of "Still Standing" or newcomer "The Stones."

"Yes, Dear" is expected to shift to "Queens' " old slot, shifting up a half-hour from its current 8:30 p.m. berth. "Everybody Loves Raymond" is widely expected to stay put at 9 p.m., and the conventional wisdom in town has been that the new Charlie Sheen starrer, "Two and a Half Men," gets the plum 9:30 p.m. slot. "CSI: Miami" is expected to stay put at 10 p.m., but industry veterans cautioned that the hit spinoff was a potent weapon that could be used to shake up another night, such as Wednesday or Friday.

The latest buzz had the Tuesday lineup of "JAG," "The Guardian" and "Judging Amy" staying intact, while the new "JAG" spinoff — initially rumored for the Tuesday 9 p.m. slot — may wind up launching Saturday.

The Wednesday comedy block is said to be leading into "60 Minutes II," possibly followed by the new drama "Street Boss," starring Joe Pantoliano.

David E. Kelley' new family drama "The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H.," starring Randy Quaid, was still being talked about for the Friday 8 p.m. slot, followed by the new police drama "The Unsolved" at 9 p.m. and "48 Hours Investigates" at 10 p.m.

"Hack" is rumored to be moving to Saturday, possibly at 8 p.m. "The District" is said to be staying on the night as well.

The Sunday lineup is said to continue to be bookended by "60 Minutes" at 7 p.m. and the Sunday 9-11 p.m. movie. The new drama "Joan of Arcadia" was eyed for 8 p.m.

Although CBS is not expected to announce midseason pickups today, the futuristic drama "Century City" is rumored to be a contender.