Recent cast shake-ups on Law & Order: Los Angeles have facilitated the first big scheduling news since the networks unveiled their midseason line-ups. It looks as if Parenthood will hold down its spot on Tuesdays at 10:00 while LOLA will be put on indefinite hiatus, a change from the original plan of the sophomore family drama moving to Mondays in March and the procedural taking the Braverman's home turf of Tuesdays in February. Though the case for Parenthood was undoubtedly helped by its steady ratings (which are currently around 21% higher since winter hiatus ended), NBC likely doesn't want to lose its second Law & Order franchise in as many years, especially since it took a lot of heat for letting the "mothership" go after 20 seasons, so it'll do what it takes for LOLA to see season two.
It's not a bad move for the channel, as Parenthood is doing better, Harry's Law had a fairly decent premiere on Monday, and they can use the buzz of the show's retooling to help launch the rest of their 2011 midseason programs. The hiatus can be a tricky ordeal, though, as several big fall shows in the past few years have been sunk by a sizable break (most notably last year's FlashForward), but the time off may be just what the struggling show needs to right itself.
Do you watch LOLA? What do you think about the break? Is the move to keep Parenthood on Tuesdays good for you and your viewing habits?
MEDIA ALERT: NBC SCHEDULE UPDATE
NBC announced that it will continue with new episodes of “Parenthood” on Tuesdays (10-11 p.m. ET) for the remainder of the season. “Law & Order: Los Angeles,” which was previously scheduled to resume in that day and time beginning February 8, will return on a day to be determined.
In addition, the new alternative competition series “America’s Next Great Restaurant” will debut on Sunday, March 6 (8-9 p.m. ET) instead of the previously announced Wednesday, March 16 (9-10 p.m. ET). “The Marriage Ref” – which was intended to return for its second season on Sunday, March 6 (8-9 p.m. ET) — will return at a later date.
