Fall's success stories not few or far between

The first nine weeks of the 2005-06 prime-time campaign are history. So what have we learned?

In many ways, the old-fashioned work of network TV--the task of luring viewers by the millions to keep a weekly date with their favorite characters--has been overshadowed in the first chunk of the season by all the hoopla over the myriad new and improved ways in which viewers can time-shift, place-shift, and even downshift (mobisodes, anyone?) the content of their choice.

But all of these new gadgets, gizmos, and services will sit idle unless the industry's premier content providers (sounds so clinical, doesn't it?) keep stoking the demand side of the on-demand equation. The fall launch period hasn't been jam-packed with breakout hits, as nattering nabobs were quick to point out early on, but it has produced a few success stories, big and small.

The biggest win for a network in dire need of one has been NBC's My Name Is Earl. The network's gamble on an offbeat comedy that played against type (NBC's, that is) hopefully will encourage others to take a cue from NBC programming chief Kevin Reilly and show a little passion for unconventional fare.

Everybody Hates Chris was a more traditional kind of comedy, but it was nearly as big a gamble for UPN to schedule it on Thursdays at 8 p.m. It would have been easier for UPN to slide Chris into its long-established Monday comedy block, but UPN boss Dawn Ostroff wanted to make a statement that Chris was a player.

WB Network also got what it needed most--a new show with legs--on Tuesday with the drama Supernatural.

Fox is still in semi-limbo, with American Idol and 24 waiting in the wings for January debuts. But it has an entry in the win column with Prison Break, which finally allowed the network to bottle some of 24's kinetic energy into a show that doesn't feel like a pale imitation.

The biggest comeback award (so far) goes to CBS's CSI: NY. The second spin-off from the forensic-drama Holy Grail began its freshman year last season with CSI-worthy numbers but soon found itself slipping down the charts. During the summer, CSI creator/executive producer Anthony Zuiker linked arms with veteran drama showrunner Pam Veasey, and the two have brought the show back to life in a big way. CSI: NY now consistently wins its 10 p.m. Wednesday slot, which is no small feat given that ABC's Invasion has the advantage of a Lost lead-in.

ABC hasn't enjoyed the same kind of meteoric insta-success with its new offerings this season as it did last fall with Lost and Desperate Housewives, but that only underscores how once-in-a-generation unusual that scenario was for the network last year. And any network blessed with those two shows plus the oh-so-charming Grey's Anatomy would have to have a little extra spring in its step.

In fact, through the first eight weeks (September 19-November 13), ABC is the only network to register ratings growth, compared with the same period last season, in total viewers (up 7 percent) and adults 18-49 (up 5 percent).

Of course, unto every season, a little rain must fall. UPN's Veronica Mars has earned the best-show-you're-not-watching award for the second year in a row. The network was kind enough to give this cleverly written drama, graced with the lovely and talented Kristen Bell, a second chance this season. Now it's time for America to do its part.