Fox, which recently gave up on comedy on Saturday nights, has decided to fill the vacated hour of air time by expanding its reality shows on that night.
In the face of crummy ratings, the fourth network moved "Martin" to Sundays and sent "The Preston Episodes" on hiatus recently.(And if it weren't for the unfortunately titled "Too Something" - which, coincidentally, is also on hiatus - "The Preston Episodes" would win the award for worst title of the year.)
Instead of bringing in new programs Fox is expanding both "Cops" and "America's Most Wanted" from 30 minutes to an hour.
A new "Cops" will air at 7 p.m., followed by a rerun of "Cops" at 7:30 p.m. and an hourlong "AMW" at 8 p.m. If you'll recall, that's exactly what Fox's Saturday night looked like last year.
On a related note, word is that in the wake of the cancellation of the Mike Tyson fight, Fox's deal for a monthly Saturday night boxing night with boxing promoter Don King may also be canceled.
Gee, that would be too bad, wouldn't it? Fewer violent criminals like King and Tyson on national TV.
PICKING THEM UP: CBS has ordered more episodes of both "Can't Hurry Love" and "The Client," bringing both up to a full season's 22 episodes.
The former is no surprise - "Love" is CBS's biggest hit this fall (although a very moderate hit at best). The latter is a bit of a surprise, because ratings haven't been great. But it's another sign that CBS just doesn't have much in reserve right now.
STAYING PUT: There has been much speculation of late that David Letterman might move his "Late Show" to Los Angeles on the permanent basis.
Letterman himself said that just isn't so, releasing the following statement on the matter:
"OK, sure there's gridlock, sure there's pollution, sure there's noise, but let me ask you this - where else can you get a hot dog for $7?"