Over the past year, television has
presented a schizophrenic array of reality, dramas and dull sitcoms
where “Must See TV” is easy to miss, and five nights of
crime dramas make for a predictable week. While prime-time
television seems to be a wasteland of unwanted entertainment, a few
shows still stand out and keep our interest. Report cards are in,
and those who don’t make the grade have a rocky future
ahead.

— Compiled by the Daily TV Staff

The Networks

CBS: America’s number-one-rated network seems to be
alone in knowing how to schedule programming effectively for the
entire week, not even backing down from NBC’s formerly
“Must See TV.” However, an insistence on franchises
(“CSI” and “JAG”), coupled with shows that
appeal only to an older demographic limit potential viewership. As
the home to the most promising and original show of the season,
“Joan of Arcadia,” CBS seems to be making some strides
toward more diverse fare.

Grade: A-

FOX: For every successful new program (“The
OC” and “Arrested Development”) there is
“Skin” or bad reality shows (i.e. “Joe
Millionaire 2”) on the following night. The network’s
best shows are some of the finest on television (“24”)
and their commitment to new ideas is evident. Even though they have
given some innovative shows a chance, there is always the
possibility that they may cancel another great before its time like
they did with “Firefly” or “Andy Richter Controls
the Universe” last season.

Grade: B+ (On the condition that it lets its new shows
prosper)

NBC: Once the home to the best sitcoms and most gripping
dramas, NBC is a shell of its former self looking to find some sort
of new hit. With “Friends” and “Frasier” on
the way out and only “Scrubs” as a promising comedy
replacement (sorry, “Whoopi”), next season should be a
struggle. “ER” and all of the “Law &
Order” franchises have began to show their age, but the new
series “Las Vegas” has some promise whereas
“Lyon’s Den” is an official disaster. Their
reality fare ranks as some of the most appalling (“Fear
Factor”), but they have yet to let it inundate their entire
schedule.

Grade: B- (Would have been a B before
“Boomtown”’s unfair cancellation; see below)

ABC: What a sorry state of affairs ABC is in these days.
Still hoping for a breakout sitcom or drama, ABC has stuck with the
stinkers that the past few seasons have offered, clinging to any
sort of success. “Alias” is the lone saving grace on a
network that seems to believe that “According to Jim”
is worth keeping on the air but not “Karen Sisco.”

Grade: C

the WB: With a lineup of unspectacular sitcoms and teen
dramas, the WB is aiming for a young demographic. Its best shows
are the critically acclaimed dialogue driven series like
“Gilmore Girls” or genre shows like “Angel”
and “Smallville,” which are far too quirky to make it
on the major networks. At its worst, it is responsible for the
monstrosity of “The Surreal Life,” unfortunately set to
return during mid-season.

Grade: C

UPN: As bad as the WB or ABC’s lineups may be, at
least there are a few shows that are worth watching, unlike UPN.
Led by Vince McMahon’s “WWE Smackdown!” as well
as the latest “Star Trek” offering
“Enterprise,” UPN caters to die-hard fans. “Jake
2.0” is the only promising series, but it airs in one of the
most competitive time-slots available. Its freshman sitcoms range
from the bad (“Rock Me Baby”) to the truly wretched
(“The Mullets”), indicating the necessity for a
complete network overhaul.

Grade: D

The Best of Cable

HBO: HBO is as solid as ever, with new shows
(“Carnivale”) and old favorites (“Curb Your
Enthusiasm”) both redefining genres and the concepts of
popular entertainment.

Grade: A+

FX: The programming feels like HBO-lite, but “The
Shield” and “Nip/Tuck” are engrossing enough to
show that this network is more than willing to take risks.

Grade: A-