CBS' ‘Undercover Boss' to Debut After Super Bowl Feb. 7

Network sets mid-season slate with ‘Survivor' special, ‘Race' season premiere date

By Marisa Guthrie -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/21/2009 12:02:36 PM

CBS' latest reality entry Undercover Boss will get the plum post-Super Bowl slot, Sunday Feb. 7.

Undercover Boss, which won high marks from marketers during the network's upfront presentation last spring, has a corporate executive going incognito to do the job of his employees. The show taps into the current struggles of recession ravaged Americans but ultimately sounds a hopeful note, as the newly humbled boss comes to truly appreciate his employees.

It is the first time that a new show has launched behind the Super Bowl, which regularly gets the biggest viewing audience of the year. Traditionally, networks slot a returning show that could use a ratings boost behind the Super Bowl.

Boss' regular time slot will be Sundays at 9 p.m. It will move there Feb. 14, after the premiere of the 16^th season of The Amazing Race at 8 p.m. Cold Case will relocate back to Sundays at 10 p.m. beginning Feb. 14.

Other midseason highlights include Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, a two-hour special that looks back at some of the show's memorable castaways, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. The 20^th iteration of Survivor also will be preceded by a reunion special, Surviving Survivor, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. It will be produced by Susan Zirinsky's unit at CBS News.

Also included in the network's midseason announcement is Jeff Probst and Mark Burnett's Live for the Moment, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m., about people who were inspired to change their lives.

CBS still has multiple shows on the shelf including the sitcom Rules of Engagement, Jerry Bruckheimer's Miami Medical - which is likely to bow later this season - and police dramas The Bridge and Flashpoint, both of which are produced in partnership with Canadian broadcast CTV.

 

Thursday, Jan. 28

8:00-9:00 PM              LIVE FOR THE MOMENT (Special)

 

Thursday, Feb. 4

8:00-9:00 PM              SURVIVING SURVIVOR (Working Title)

 

Sunday, Feb. 7

10:00-11:00 PM/ET     UNDERCOVER BOSS (Series Premiere)

7:00-8:00 PM/PT (Time approximate)

 

Thursday, Feb. 11

8:00-10:00 PM            SURVIVOR:  HEROES VS. VILLAINS (20th Edition Premiere)

 

Sundays, Effective Feb. 14

7:00-8:00 PM              60 MINUTES

8:00-9:00 PM              THE AMAZING RACE (16th Edition Premiere)

9:00-10:00 PM            UNDERCOVER BOSS (Time Period Premiere)

10:00-11:00 PM          COLD CASE (New Time Period)