CBS is sticking with all of its new series, at least for a full season. The network has handed out full-season orders to All Rise, Carol’s Second Act, The Unicorn & Bob ♥ Abishola.
CBS is calling them full-season orders but reports suggest that some of the series won’t be getting the traditional back-nine orders that accompany most full-season pickups. Bob ♥ Abishola is believed to have received a back-nine pickup because it comes from CBS staple Chuck Lorre but the orders for the others are about five episodes each.
Coinciding with how mediocre ratings have mostly been across all the networks, none of the shows that received full-season orders have been true breakout hits so CBS is claiming bragging rights wherever they can. CBS has boasted that all of their freshman series have been very steady in terms of total viewers, although the demo rating is really all that matters in terms of renewal in the long run.
Courtroom drama All Rise ranks as the most-watched new series on broadcast TV this season, averaging more than 8 million viewers each week. Comedies Carol’s Second Act and The Unicorn, along with Monday’s Bob ♥ Abishola, are all averaging well over 7 million viewers in Live+7. CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl had this to say about the full-season pickups:
“These terrific new series have attracted a passionate base of viewers and consistent ratings while delivering entertaining, inclusive and relevant storytelling every week. They’re off to strong starts and are still being discovered on the many catch-up and playback options available to our viewers today. We’re proud of this freshman class and excited about their potential to tell more great stories and further expand their audiences.”
The full-season orders follow the early season two renewal for the network’s supernatural series, Evil. Across all networks, Fox’s Prodigal Son was the first new series to score a full-season pickup while their animated series Bless The Harts was the first season two renewal of the season. The news hasn’t been as bright for NBC which has seen their comedy Sunnyside being pulled from the schedule early while the Jimmy Smit’s courtroom drama, Bluff City Law, will not be getting a back-nine order after its initial run.
Here are the plot descriptions for all the full-season pickups on CBS:
All Rise: A courthouse drama that follows the chaotic, hopeful and sometimes absurd lives of its judges, prosecutors, and public defenders, as they work with bailiffs, clerks and cops to get justice for the people of Los Angeles amidst a flawed legal process. Among them is newly appointed Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick), a highly regarded and impressive deputy district attorney who doesn’t intend to sit back on the bench in her new role, but instead leans in, immediately pushing the boundaries and challenging the expectations of what a judge can be. The series also stars Wilson Bethel, Marg Helgenberger, Jessica Camacho, J. Alex Brinson, Lindsay Mendez, and Ruthie Ann Miles.
BOB ♥ ABISHOLA: A love story about a middle-aged compression-sock businessman from Detroit who unexpectedly falls for his cardiac nurse, a Nigerian immigrant, while recovering from a heart attack and sets his sights on winning her over. Undaunted by Abishola’s lack of initial interest or the vast differences in their backgrounds, Bob is determined to win Abishola’s heart, in this comedic examination of immigrant life in America. The series stars Billy Gardell, Folake Olowofoyeku, Christine Ebersole, Matt Jones, Maribeth Monroe, Vernee Watson, Shola Adewusi, Barry Shabaka Henley, Travis Wolfe, Jr., and Gina Yashere.
CAROL’S SECOND ACT: Stars Emmy Award winner Patricia Heaton as a woman who embarks on a unique second act after raising her children, getting divorced and retiring from teaching: pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. At age 50, Carol is a medical intern and must sink or swim with peers who are half her age. It’s her enthusiasm, perspective and, yes, even her age that may be exactly what will make her second act a great success. The series also stars Kyle MacLachlan, Ashley Tisdale, Ito Aghayere, Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Sabrina Jalees and Lucas Neff.
THE UNICORN: A tight-knit group of best friends and family help Wade (Walton Goggins) embrace his “new normal” in the wake of the loss of his wife one year ago. As a sometimes ill-equipped but always devoted single parent to his two adolescent daughters, he is taking the major step of dating again. To Wade’s amazement, he’s a hot commodity with women, and his friends explain that he’s the perfect single guy – a “unicorn”: employed, attractive, and with a proven track record of commitment. With his daughters and best friends rooting him on and hoping he’ll find happiness again, Wade and his healing heart are ready to try life… and love… a second time. The series also stars Rob Corddry, Michaela Watkins, Omar Miller, Maya Lynne Robinson, Ruby Jay, Makenzie Moss, and Devin Bright.
