Fall 2011 TV Preview: USA Network Premiere Schedules and Previews
by Sean ComerTruth be told, there really isn't much new coming USA's way this fall. Their usual hit original series are almost entirely on hiatus until winter, since the network usually splits full "seasons" into two dozen-or-so-episode blocks stretched over 12 months.
But OK, suppose you really want something about which you can get excited. How about rounding out the offerings of a certain juggernaut of a CBS criminal-procedural franchise?
"New" Shows
"NCIS: Los Angeles" Reruns - Sept. 28, 7 PM EST
While the original "NCIS" has become as ubiquitous a USA staple as "Beastmaster" once was on HBO in that network's youth, the Navy-cops procedural's sister show, "NCIS: Los Angeles," has remained curiously absent.
Well, get ready to keep up on the shows' occasional crossover arcs, because episodes of the LL Cool J-Chris O'Donnell helmed "NCIS" kick off Sept. 28th.
There's good news and bad news on that front. Good news: "NCIS: Los Angeles" episodes will air between USA's constant "NCIS" marathons - you know, the ones so constant that you can't ever really tell if one ends and another begins, or if it's all just one big Guinness Book-ready block. The bad news: the spin-off's episodes won't start airing more regularly five days a week on the network until 2013, under broadcast-rights terms.
But, balancing things out again, there's more good news.
More "CSI," Too
USA will also be expanding how often it airs "CSI" reruns, which currently show up in slots such as Friday nights at 10 PM Eastern. Starting this fall, the network gets exclusive re-broadcast rights to the CBS hit's reruns from season 11 and beyond.
Returning Shows
"Psych" - Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 10 pm ET/PT
So that just leaves that pesky "original series" issue, what with freshman success "Necessary Roughness" wrapping up Sept. 14.
Never fear, Shawn and Gus are here, and that has me happy-dancin'. Though execs insist it's not a preview of a permanent schedule shift for arguably USA's most successful current original, "Psych" will premiere its sixth season Oct. 12, since execs say that the show's ratings stand alone perfectly well.
Watch the new season preview of "Psych":