Networks begin choosing players for the upcoming season. Veterans and rookies are cut. It also can be the week the team goes in an entirely new direction. I'm referring, of course, to May 1971, when CBS decided it no longer was interested in viewers from the heartland, and so canceled "The Ed Sullivan Show," "Mayberry RFD," "Beverly Hillbillies," "Green Acres," "Hee Haw" and "The Jim Nabors Show" even though most still qualified as starters.
No wonder fans clench their clickers awaiting the fate of their favorite shows. OK - they used to clench those clickers. Now they just click to another channel.
Like many others, I don't have much interest this year in what's benched, cut or added to the TV team. While I'm not ready throw in the towel on network television, as millions of others have evidently done, it's impossible to even feign passion for a particular show whose future is undetermined.
If there was any anxiety, it long ago evaporated. My only must-see series - "Lost" - is retiring, and most other favorites, including "The Middle, "Modern Family," "House," "Big Bang Theory" and "Parenthood," have had their contracts extended. I'm set. If pink slips are handed to every other show on television, I have a wall full of DVDs, CDs and books to pass the time. I also could start a conversation with other family members, but they have their own diversions - Ipods, video games and "Dancing with the Stars."
I apologize for being so nonchalant about this year's great unveiling, but it's hard to get worked up about the fate of "Gary Unmarried" or "Melrose Place." Or even "Chuck." And, is anybody concerned whether CBC remains "The Tiffany Network" or if ABC is "Still the One?"
Admittedly, for the past 35 years, I've always anticipated writing this particular column,which predicts the fall lineup. Unfortunately, there haven't been many insightful calls to make the past decade, as networks have begun announcing cancellations far in advance of revealing the new shows. Then again, did anyone really believe "Ugly Betty" would be given a stay of execution?
Also, three decades into this May tradiiton, I've learned that what will be will be. For every "Jericho" that's resurrected because of viewer outcry, there are dozens of quality shows such as "My So-Called Life," "Invasion" and "Americans Dreams" that are unceremoniously erased from the airwaves because of low ratings or a network's attempt to latch on to the next fad or fancy. Write the networks. Cancel your subscription to TV Guide. Swear you'll never watch the network again. It just doesn't matter. The shows won't be coming back. You, however, will - and the networks know it.
Worried about "Chuck" being cut? Don't be. NBC has precious few hits - and viewers - so even if the fan base for "Chuck" is relatively small, it is undeniably loyal. Advertisers love loyal, so NBC loves "Chuck."
On the other hand, if you're a sci-fi/fantasy fan mourning the loss of "Lost," you may need to buy an extra box of Kleenex. "Heroes," "Flash Forward" and "V" are history. Need comforting? It wasn't the sci-fi genre that did 'em in. It was the fact that the episodes weren't self-contained. That means they don't repeat well, and that viewers have to watch ever week. After years of appointment television for "Lost" and "24," a break is in order. A long break.
And you better latch on to "Grey's Anatomy" and its less-worthy spinoff, "Private Practice," for your medical fix. "Trauma," "Mercy" and "Three Rivers" are flat-lining with no chance of resuscitation.
If you're a sitcom fan, be grateful that ABC's trifecta of "The Middle," "Modern Family" and "Cougar Town" will return. "Sons of Tucson" will not, and "Accidentally on Purpose" is an extreme longshot.
But, barring another surprise "change of direction" by CBS, it's ratings-challenged Wednesday shows, "Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried" are now rumored to be on board for another go-round.
Of the other on-the-bubble shows, only Fox's "Human Target" is likely to see a second season, at least partially because the network needs to fill the action void left by the cancellation of "24."
However, you can send peanuts, Subway sandwiches or whatever the token of the day to save "Numbers," "The Forgotten," "Cold Case," "Happy Town" and "Melrose Place" and it won't do any good. They're gone.
We'll not go into soon-to-be-axed reality shows - believe me, if your favorite is canceled, something kust like it will come along very soon.
I've no inside information on what the networks are planning for those newly available slots. I suspect - and hope - the traditional family sitcom will be revived ala "The Middle." I suspect - and fear - the untraditional musical drama will materialize ala "Glee." And you count on at least one network tyring to breathe life into a vintage series. If this summer's theatrical "A-Team" is a hit, for instance, expect a small-screen version to come along in January.
While I don't expect any major timeslot changes - with DVRs, it's almost a moot point, anyway - It makes sense for NBC to move "Parenthood" to an earlier hour and it's likely ABC will pair "Cougar Town" with something more compatible than "Modern Family." If there's anything that qualifies as a shocker, it may be Fox trying a new night or a new timeslot for "American Idol," which in its ninth year, has finally begun showing signs of aging (and viewer apathy).
Then again, we could all hope for another "change of direction" from CBS. A season without initials ("CSI," "NCIS") would be refreshing, indeed.
Terry Hazlett can be reached at snowballrizzo@aol.com