The WB sticks with scripted
By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/14/2003 4:00:00 AM
The WB has set its own bar high for next year, after performing at record-setting levels in both the November and February sweep.
To try to maintain its growth, the network has picked up two dramas and four comedies for next fall, all produced by or in association with The WB's sister company, Warner Bros. Television.
Fearless, from Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with WBTV, will star Rachel Leigh Cook and air Tuesdays at 9 p.m., following Gilmore Girls.
A Gilmore Girls spinoff, starring Milo Ventimiglia, has been ordered for midseason, said Jordan Levin, president of entertainment for The WB.
Warner Bros.' Tarzan and Jane, which advertisers and buyers received enthusiastically, will air Sundays at 9 p.m. after Charmed, which has delivered the best Sunday-night ratings ever for The WB.
The 7 p.m. spot will go to Smallville: Beginnings, replacing this season's Gilmore Girls: Beginnings.
The 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday repurposed "Easyview" shows -- which The WB started last season to great success -- will be Fearless and Everwood.
With the departure of WB staple Dawson's Creek, the network will move its biggest hit, Smallville, to the spot, Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
The Superman saga will be followed by Angel, which comes off the bubble to return for its fifth season.
Joss Whedon -- creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as Angel -- will return to the program as showrunner with only Angel to focus on next year.
The WB hopes the addition of James Marsters -- Spike on Buffy -- and other Buffy cast members will give Angel an extra ratings boost next season.
Once again, The WB will counterprogram Thursday night, airing a comedy lineup anchored by new show Steve Harvey's Big Time, hosted by WB alum Harvey.
Harvey will lead into WB favorite The Jamie Kennedy Experiment at 8:30 p.m. and Amanda Bynes/Jennie Garth-starrer What I Like About You at 9 p.m.
New sitcom Run of the House, about a 16-year-old whose older siblings are taking care of her after her older parents move to Arizona for health reasons, will finish the night at 9:30 p.m.
Third-year show Reba will anchor Friday nights, followed by new sitcom Like Family, starring another WB alum, Holly Robinson Peete, about a single white mom and her trouble-making son who move in with her close African-American friends.
Carsey-Werner-Mandabach's Grounded for Life stays at 9 p.m., followed by another new sitcom, All About the Andersons, starring comic Anthony Anderson. It is based on Anderson's real-life experience -- he and his young son move back in with his parents in New Jersey.
Monday nights remain intact, with veteran hit 7th Heaven at 8 p.m. and sophomore Everwood at 9 p.m.
Coming off The WB's schedule are Friday night's Greetings from Tucson and Thursday-night midseason replacement On the Spot.
Other midseason pickups include One Tree Hill from Tollin/Robbins and WBTV; hidden-camera show Make My Day from Monkey Television and Brad Grey Television; satire The Help from Original Productions and WBTV; and The Mayor, from Adam Sandler's Happy Madison in association with Sony Pictures Television.
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