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UPFRONTS: CBS Orders Seven New Series; Cancels Five Including ‘CSI: Miami’, ‘A Gifted Man’, and More

With NBC and FOX already making their big moves, CBS always remained the odd one out. After a massive amount of renewals, their schedule has been jam-packed, so what new series would they usher in? Well, the network has finally revealed that among their old favorites, they’ll also be picking up seven new series as well, including a period drama with some big names, a comedy about Groupon, and even the controversial Sherlock Holmes modern day take.

CBS has picked up four new dramas ElementaryVegasMade in JerseyGolden Boy, and two new comedies, Friend Me, andPartners. The seventh series comes from producer Mark Burnett and is a reality series called The Job.

However, it’s not all good news from the top network today. While CSI: New York will get a renewal, another CSI has bit the dust. It’s time to stop whipping off our sunglasses and saying witty puns because CSI: Miami has effectively been cancelled, along with series A Gifted ManNYC 22Unforgettable, and Rob. It’s been said they had to choose between both CSI spin-offs, and originally New York was the one out the door. However, it seems CBS is more fond of the big city rather than the Sunshine State.

While CBS has yet to unveil their schedule, here’s a look at the new series that the network picked up:

Friend Me

The multicamera half-hour comedy revolves around twentysomething best friends (Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Nicholas Braun), who move from their hometown of Bloomington, Ind., to L.A. to begin their new lives working at Groupon. Evan has trouble breaking his old slothful habits, and rather than going out after work to explore the town and meet new people, he prefers to play online poker with his friends back home. Rob has different plans and is determined to drag Evan, kicking and screaming, along with him. Parvesh Cheena, Tim Robinson and Dan Ahdoot fill out the cast, which hails from Alan Kirschenbaum and Ajay Sahgal, along with prolific producers Eric andKim Tannenbaum. How I Met Your Mother’s Pamela Fryman 
helmed the pilot of the CBS Television Studios comedy.

Partners

The comedy revolves around architects Charlie (David Krumholtz) and Louis’ (Michael Urie) friendship, which has lasted longer than either of their romantic relationships and almost seems like a weird marriage. When Charlie decides to propose to his girlfriend, Louis’ neurotic attempts to be supportive nearly result in the breakup of his own relationship.
The pair is joined by Sophia Bushand Brandon Routh in the Warner Brothers TV project from writer-producers Max Mutchnickand David Kohan of Will & Grace fame. James Burrows, who directed their long-running NBC series, helmed the pilot.

Made in Jersey (formerly Baby Big Shot)

The legal drama centers on a working-class woman (Janet Montgomery) who uses her street smarts to compete with her more polished colleagues at a top New York law firm. The cast also includes Stephanie March, Kyle MacLachlan, Erin Cummings, Toni Trucks, Felix Solis, Pablo Schreiber and Donna Murphy. Dana Calvo wrote and co-executive producers withFranklin & Bash’s Kevin Falls set to showrun the hourlong project from Sony and CBS TV Studios.Jamie Tarses and Julia Franz are on board as executive producers, with EP Mark Watershaving directed the pilot.

Elementary

A modern take on the cases of Sherlock Holmes, the drama centers on the famed detective (Jonny Lee Miller), who is now living in New York City. Watson will be played by Lucy Liu, who is joined by Aidan Quinn in the hourlong project that hails from writer, executive producer and showrunnerRob Doherty. CBS heavyweights Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly (Unforgettable, A Gifted Man) are attached as producers with EP Michael Cuesta having directed the CBS TV Studios pilot.

Golden Boy

The cop drama centers on the meteoric rise of one cop (Theo James) from officer to detective to police commissioner. Lights Out’s Holt McCallany, Bonnie Somerville, Chi McBride, Kevin Alejandro and Stella Maeva fill out the cast. NYPD Blue’s Nicholas Wootton is writing, executive producing and showrunning the Warner Bros. TV project, with pilot season standout Greg Berlanti on board as an executive producer. (Late last week, Berlanti’s Arrow was ordered to series at sister network, The CW.) Melissa Kellner Berman is attached as a co-executive producer, and EP Richard Shepard helmed the pilot.

Vegas (formerly Ralph Lamb)

The 1960s-set period drama centers on the true story of Ralph Lamb (Quaid), a rodeo cowboy-turned-longtime sheriff of Las Vegas.
 The cast also includes Chiklis, O’Mara, Carrie-Anne Moss andTaylor Handley. The project, a departure of sorts for the network, hails from CBS’ sister studio, CBS TV Studios. Goodfellas’ Nicholas Pileggi and Greg Walker are writing and executive producing with EP James Mangold attached as the pilot’s director. Cathy Konrad and Arthur Sarkissian are executive producers, while Quaid and Chiklis were also granted co-EP roles.

The Job

A reality offering from Survivor’s Burnett and Watch What Happens Live’s Michael Davies, which has contestants compete for their dream job. Our America’s Lisa Ling has been tapped to host the effort from Davies’ Embassy Row and Sony Pictures Television. In the series, five contestants selected from thousands of applicants will go head-to-head for the chance to score their dream job at one of America’s most prestigious companies.

We’ll have more to offer from each new series as the week progresses, and CBS reveals more content from their new shows.

Cameron Arruda
Cameron Arruda
Managing Editor and Featured Writer for Durance Magazine. A Boston Boy, dedicated writer, lover of all entertainment, and still proud LOSTie.

Posts of this author @camarruda filmthrasher.com



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