FOX Switches '70s' and O.C.' for Mid-Season; Al Sharpton Nixes Sitcom Idea

FOX has announced that The O.C. will move from Thursdays 8 p.m. to Thursday 9 p.m. starting January 12. That '70s Show will air at 8 p.m. with repeat episodes at 8:30 p.m. Originally it was slated for Thursdays 9 p.m. Stacked will be on hiatus until mid-March, when it returns it will air at 8:30 p.m., instead of the original plan of 9:30 p.m. American Idol results show will give FOX a mid-season boost on Thursdays at 8 p.m. for a few weeks in late February/early March. It should be interesting to see who wins the adults 18-49 match -- Will & Grace or That '70s Show? Both shows are on their last legs. The O.C. will be in trouble I think facing CSI, My Name is Earl and the last half hour of Dancing with the Stars. No doubt American Idol will give it a boost in those few weeks where it will be its lead-in.

Al Sharpton will not be the next Archie Bunker afterall. Reverend Sharpton had plans to create and start in his own sitcom, titled Al in the Family. The title even sounds hilarious. The Democrat, who has run for president, mayor of New York and the Senate, was earlier this month reported to be working with CBS on this pilot. "I'm not interested in being Archie Bunker, I'm looking forward to becoming George Bush," Sharpton said, alluding to a possible future presidential race. Too bad, it could have gotten enough buzz to be a hit. I think it would have been even better on sister Paramount network UPN. Pairing Everybody Hates Chris and Al in the Family would have been interesting.

TV Land & Nick@Nite With Best Ever Ratings In 2005; Knots Landing Off Weekday Schedule on SOAPnet

For 2005 to date, TV Land is pacing to earn its most-watched year ever among its core demo of Adults 25-54 and among total viewers on a total programming day basis. Bolstered by new original programming and its proven roster of hit classic TV programming, the network will finish the year averaging 303,000 A25-54, up +18% versus year-ago and 600,000 total viewers on a total programming day basis, up +20% over last year. Additionally, TV Land is pacing to have its most-watched prime time ever in its 10-year history, averaging 411,000 A25-54, an increase of +16% over 2004 and drawing 966,000 total viewers, up +24%. Among the shows that have lifted TV Land this year are Good Times, What's Happening!!, and TV Land Confidential.
For 2005 to date, Nick at Nite is poised to record its most-watched year ever among total viewers on a total programming day basis. Driven by the success of its hit original hidden camera series, Hi-Jinks, as well as the continued success of modern hit sitcoms The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Roseanne the network is also finishing the year as the number-one basic cable network among Women 18-49, Women 18-34, Women 25-54 and African Americans A18-49.
For the entire press release on both network's 2005 ratings, click here.

Many fans have known and have noticed that SOAPnet has removed Knots Landing from the weekday line-up effective today. They went through the cycle and finished yesterday and now the short lived Paper Dolls is airing in that slot instead. And when that show is finished, they will air another short lived soap, Pasadena. After that, let's hope Knots returns to the weekday line-up. You can still catch Knots Landing however on Saturday nights at 9 p.m. So all is not lost!

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