Networks fine-tuning shows with changes for fall lineup
USA Today
It's tweaking season for the television networks, now busily making changes in new shows to better their chances for fall.
In moves routine for this time of year, the shifts are being made both in front of and behind the camera.
ABC's "Bob Patterson," starring "Seinfeld's" Jason Alexander as a down-on-his-luck motivational speaker, will replace executive producer Tim Doyle and actress Susan Diol, who played Alexander's ex-wife, and at least some of its pilot will be re-shot.
Over at CBS' werewolf drama "Wolf Lake," which stars Lou Diamond Phillips and Tim Matheson, creator and executive producer John Leekley is out. He's being replaced by Alex Gansa, a producer of "The X-Files" and ABC's quirky summer drama "Maximum Bob." Actress Stacy Edwards also has exited the cast, and the story lines of some of show's major characters will be reshaped. And NBC's "Emeril," which stars TV chef Emeril Lagasse as himself, will abandon most of his family scenes at home, concentrating instead on the TV studio workplace, and will add a new actor to play his agent.
Among other changes: Grant Show ("Melrose Place") will leave NBC cop drama "U.C.: Undercover," he is expected to be replaced by new lead actor Oded Fehr ("The Mummy"). "Inside Schwartz," the network's new sitcom about a would-be sportscaster, has benched Jennifer Irwin, who played Schwartz's ex-girlfriend, and replaced her with Maggie Lawson. Dondre Whitfield ("A Different World") also has been added as a new character.
Josh Radnor is out as the American half of a buddy duo on the WB's "Off Centre." And Andrea Roth has left the ensemble cast of CBS' CIA drama "The Agency."
Changes are afoot on returning series, too: Sherry Stringfield is back in "ER," Rose McGowan will replace Shannen Doherty on WB's "Charmed," Julie Warner and Cristian de la Fuente are departing CBS' "Family Law" and "Star Trek: Voyager's" Jeri Ryan joins the cast of Fox's "Boston Public."
Major changes are often a bad omen for new shows, suggesting networks and studios are seeking Band-Aids for troubled projects.
The pilot for last season's "The Michael Richards Show" was completely revamped and recast, yet the show quickly failed, anyway. Ditto for John Goodman's "Normal, Ohio."
Yet there have been cases in which revamps turn out for the best. Producer John Masius ("Providence") was fired from CBS' "Touched by an Angel" before its premiere after being at odds with the network over his desire that the show remain skeptical about God.
The spiritual drama went on to become a hit for the network.
