CBS plans for a normal fall schedule despite coronavirus shutdown

The Hollywood Reporter

While Fox and The CW have found ways to "corona-proof" their fall lineup, CBS is being optimistic with plans to return to a normal schedule this fall. "We are very proud of this schedule and these shows and we're excited to get them on the air as soon as safely possible," CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl tells The Hollywood Reporter. "We're confident — at the very least, hopeful — that production will resume in the summer and we're hopeful most of these shows will be on this fall." Kahl, however, doesn't expect 90% of his shows to be available for the traditional premiere week of the third week of September. Only one CBS fall show, The Amazing Race, has already completed filming (back in 2018). CBS didn't announce a premiere date for its falls schedule, which only shows changes to two nights: Sundays and Thursdays. Queen Latifah's The Equalizer will take over God Friended Me's Sunday timeslot, while B Positive will follow Young Sheldon on Thursdays, bumping The Unicorn to 9:30 p.m. What if CBS shows can't resume production in the summer? "We have contingencies — plenty of them in place — for no matter when the season will start," says Kahl. "But I also think it's a fallacy to think of the fall season as being, 'OK, it starts Sept. 21.' I think with different shows, different types of production and different locations, shows are going to start at different times and they'll probably be ready to air at different times." If the season is delayed, Kahl points out that CBS has many options for special series now that CBS has reunited with Viacom.

ALSO:

• View CBS's complete fall schedule
• CBS is holding S.W.A.T. and Clarice for midseason
• CBS says a second FBI spinoff is a possibility
• Watch CBS' teasers for The Equalizer, Clarice and B Positive
• Read pilot script reviews of CBS's two picked-up dramas: The Equalizer and Clarice
• B Positive beat out seven other comedy pilots to be the network's only comedy pickup this year, but was it the best?