(Read Adalian's TCA Preview: "There Will Be Blood")
“Three Rivers” is a goner, production of “Two and a Half Men” remains stable -- despite star Charlie Sheen’s legal trouble -- and “Numbers” might just be back next season after all.
Those were the topics CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler addressed Saturday at CBS’ Television Critics Tour executive session, when she wasn’t being asked about NBC’s muddled late-night situation.
“Through it all, ABC, CBS and Fox, we’ve all fared very well through this experimental phase for NBC,” she said, trying to strike a diplomatic tone following a tumultuous week during which the Peacock began to unwind its failed late-night moves this past fall.
“To say this is a reflection of the whole network business is misguided,” she added. “At the end of the day, it was an experiment that did not work. But for us, there is no substitute for just developing and producing and launching great shows.”
As far as her own network goes, Tassler said both of CBS' key late-night talent assets, David Lettrman and Craig Ferguon, will be re-upped through 2012.
"Dave's show has experienced terrific growth, which as given him a bigger and loyal fan base," she said.
She also highlighted the Super Bowl Sunday launch of reality show “Undercover Boss.” She conceded that it has been rare for networks to use the coveted Super Bowl lead-in to launch new shows, “but we have a project we’re very high on,” Tassler noted.
Hospital-drama-wise, Tassler also conceded that “Three Rivers” – recently pulled from the Sunday night schedule – isn’t coming back.
However, the inclusion of the new Jerry Bruckheimer hospital hourlong, “Miami Medical,” on the Friday night schedule doesn’t necessarily mean the show being replaced, “Numbers,” is a goner, too.
“‘Numbers’ is (being) considered for next year,” she said. “We just had to cut back on the number of episodes; we had to make way for ‘Miami Medical’ to get on there. We have a high-class problem.”
Meanwhile, asked about recent scandals affecting talent, Tassler described the adultery/blackmail issues surrounding David Letterman as “nerve-wracking.”
However, production of top-rated Chuck Lorre comedy “Two and a Half Men” remains “stable” despite star Charlie Sheen’s recent domestic-violence issues, Tassler added.
“We put on a show last night that went extremely well,” concurred bleary-eyed Lorre, who the morning after shooting a “Two and a Half Men” episode, was conducting a Q&A with TV writers after Tassler left the stage. “Charlie is a consummate pro. He shows up and delivers, and last night was one of our strongest episodes.”
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Premiering Sunday, Feb. 7 after the Super Bowl, “Undercover Boss” will feature real-life CEOs and presidents donning disguises and getting down and dirty on the entry-level front lines of their respective companies.
