Premise

Dr. Ben Gideon struggles with the hardships of saving lives while trying to teach his students about all aspects of medicine

Familiar Faces

Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street)

Our Take

ABC is putting a great deal of support behind this program and may even launch it with limited or no commercials.  Regardless, it will still have to face-off against Law and Order, a proven winner in the 10pm Wednesday time slot

Expect to Hear

Dr. Boise: “You know what kills more people each year than breast cancer, car wrecks, and hand guns?  Doctors. That’s one thing I am truly afraid of... Doctors who believe their high minded ideals can substitute for technical excellence”

Premise

Bette Midler plays herself as an aging entertainer trying to stay on top of her once successful career

Familiar Faces

Our Take

Almost everyone agrees that Millionaire will be a clear winner in the time slot.  However, assuming the producers are able to come up with strong scripts, Bette may  appeal to the CBS audience

Expect to Hear

Roy: “Hi hon. How are you feeling?”

Premise

Weatherman Jim Gaffigan is in over his head after leaving his job in Indiana to be the new meteorologist for a morning TV show in New York. The interaction between Jim and his boss, Marsha Bickner, continuously demonstrates their opposing ethics

Familiar Faces

Christine Baranski (Cybill)

Our Take

Welcome to New York will most likely come in second in the time slot after Millionaire.  The key issue is how much it will drop off in ratings from Bette and whether or not its ratings will be sufficient for CBS

Expect to Hear

Marsha Bickner: “I’m thrilled to have you on my team.  I love this Midwestern wholesomeness you seem to have”

Premise

In the original concept for this series, John Goodman was scheduled to star as a gay man who invites his recently divorced friend to live with him.  However, the series is being retooled and Anthony  LaPaglia, who was originally cast as the divorced friend, is reportedly no longer with the series

[Currently scheduled to air at 8:30PM after a second weekly airing of Malcolm in the Middle until Schimmel premieres]

Familiar Faces

Our Take

Without seeing a pilot for Don’t Ask, it’s hard to predict how it will do, however, all bets are on Millionaire to win the time slot, Bette Midler probably has the “star power” edge over John Goodman and Titans will draw the “soap” audience

Expect to Hear

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Premise

A modern-day family with two teen-age daughters tries to cope with everyday life with a father who tends to say what is on his mind regardless of the consequences

Familiar Faces

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Our Take

By the time Schimmel premieres, the competition may very well have changed. Were it to premiere in the Fall, this comedy would probably place behind Millionaire, the more conservative CBS comedies, and the Aaron Spelling produced Titans

Expect to Hear

Robert Schimmel: “Want to hear about my day?”

Premise

The Street explores the lives of a group of hot-shot Wall Street traders.  Coming from producer Darren Star (Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210), the series will also explore their most likely tumultuous personal lives

Familiar Faces

Tom Everett Scott (That Thing You Do), Adam Goldberg (Double Rush), movie actress Jennifer Connelly

Our Take

The Street will face tough competition from Drew Carey, the award-winning, critically acclaimed West Wing and CBS’ Wednesday night movie

Expect to Hear

Jack Kendersen: “We got demand at 16, that’s where we open.  Let’s get the accountants working and leave the rest to the market.  Let’s make some money, people”

Premise

From producer Aaron Spelling comes Titans, another primetime soap to carry on the tradition of Dynasty or Dallas.  Among the soap opera type plots that you can expect is the underlying tension between prodigal son Chandler Williams and Heather Lane, his former lover and his father’s current fiancée

Familiar Faces

Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers), Yasmine Bleeth (Baywatch / Nash Bridges), Perry King (Riptide), Victoria Principal (Dallas), Josie Davis (Charles in Charge)

Our Take

With the departure of Beverly Hills 90210 and Party of Five, primetime soap fans may very well be seeking a new program to watch.  Of course, Titans will have to deal with Millionaire and the intrigue of whether or not an ordinary man will be able to make enough money to be as dysfunctional as the wealthy family portrayed in Titans

Expect to Hear

Chandler Williams: “My father has to know about this”

Heather Lane: “We had one week together, alright?  One week!  Your father and I have a lifetime together.  Please, if you really love him, you won’t say anything”