DAVID BIANCULLI

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FALL TV: Network preview specials
September 6, 2011  | By Diane Werts
 
nbc-2011-primetime-fall-preview.jpg

So what's new on the networks this fall? We're preparing our own TVWW fall preview, but in the meantime, you can find out from the networks themselves. They've all produced half-hour fall preview specials that are unreeling on local stations and related cable channels -- not to mention online in various formats.

Local affiliates usually run the specials at odd times whenever there's room on their lineups, although 2011's CBS Fall Preview gets a prime-time slot on the full network Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET. So what you'll see listed below are times to see the fall preview specials on New York affiliates -- check your local listings to find them where you watch.

Or look online. You'd think the networks would make them easy to find there, but no. Their web sites still tend to stream bits-and-pieces clips, rather than the polished half-hour encapsulating their approach to fall 2011.

Too bad. These fall preview specials have a great history. (Read about it in this clip-filled retrospective.) The star-laden wraparounds that packaged fall clips from '50s-'60s schedules have been showing up among DVD extras on sets like Get Smart, The Lucy Show and others, and they're always a cheesy showbiz delight.

Here's where to find the fall preview specials of 2011 (all times ET):

NBC Primetime Preview Show (Wednesday at 5 p.m., Chiller; Saturday at 5 a.m., Syfy; Tuesday night at 2 a.m., Style) -- or online

CBS Fall Preview (Thursday at 8:30 p.m., WCBS/2) -- or online

CW Fall Preview (Friday at 4:30 p.m., Saturday at 5:30 p.m., Monday at 9:15 p.m., WPIX/11) -- or online

ABC Fall Preview Special (Saturday at 2:30 p.m., WABC/7) -- or online

Fox Fall Preview (Sunday night at 1 a.m., WNYW/5) -- or online

 

1 Comments

 

Mac said:

Diane - Thanks for a boatload of info at that website. Sometime after my mandatory OT at work subsides, I'll dig further.

I was meaning to email David about the abundance of these shows avaialble on YouTube, and I've joyfully wasted lots of time watching. Sometimes cheese whiz is better than cheese (hey, I'm from Philly, home of the cheesesteak).

A favorite: ABC's 1969 Fall Preview: "Meet Us in September". A groovy jingle a la Brady Bunch, early scenes of Howard Hesseman (who I don't think ever appeared on the show advertised), really bad short lived series that made Star Trek look like Shakespeare (George Hamilton in a Harold Robbins soap), and wait till part deux: ABC's "Movie of the Week" (aka made for TV movies as a weekly series (later, two nights) with Burt Bacharach's "Nikki" (named for his deeply troubled daughter) as well as great graphics that ABC's flagship station, WABC, New York, used locally. Narrated by William Schallert - great fun!

 
 
 
 
 
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