Source : Globe & Mail

I know, I know. TV dramas and sitcoms are being moved around at breakneck speed. You're having trouble finding your favourite show. Listen, even I have trouble finding your favourite show and I'm paid to pay attention. Every channel is chopping and changing, even the CBC.

I guess it's tempting to think that the people who run television are rather like small, spoiled children. They play with something they're not supposed to touch, and they keep on playing with it, and throwing it around, until they get a slap.

Now that the Supreme Court has said it's okay to spank children in certain circumstances, you're probably thinking that it's just fine to spank TV executives. The relevant circumstances being the mind-boggling messing around with the schedules and the time slot of that show you really want to see.

That's not exactly fair. The chaps in charge of TV channels have to make a buck. They have to build an audience for a show by moving it into a safe timeslot. They have to protect their investments. In Canada, they have to dodge and dance to keep in line with the American broadcasters. That's their story and they're sticking to it. Pity them, if you will.

Okay -- Scrubs is not on NBC and CTV tonight at 8:30 p.m. It has been moved to Tuesdays at 9:20 p.m. That's 9:20 p.m., remember. Corner Gas is not on CTV at 8 p.m. tonight, as it has been since it started. It's now on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. The West Wing was not on CTV last night, in its usual Wednesday-night slot. Because CTV airs American Idol and Idol aired on Wednesday this week, The West Wing was shifted to Monday night at 9 p.m. (Not next week -- it's back to Wednesday, 9 p.m.) But Corner Gas is not on Thursday next week, either. It stays on Wednesday.

In that temporary Monday slot, The West Wing on CTV aired against This Is Wonderland on CBC. However, if you're interested in This Is Wonderland, note that this Sunday, Wonderland airs on CBC at 8 p.m., instead of its usual Monday-night slot. Then, on Monday on CBC, This is Wonderland airs again -- a new episode -- but at 8:30 p.m., not 9 p.m. If you're looking for The Newsroom, which normally airs at 8:30 p.m., it will air at 9:30 p.m. This is a one-time deal, apparently.

The Apprentice (Tonight, NBC, Global, 8:42 p.m.) aired on Wednesdays for a while and is now moved to Thursdays. Mind you, a repeat aired last night, a Wednesday, at 8 p.m. Tonight, please note that it starts at 8:42 p.m., not 8:30 or 9 p.m. Got that? And are you confused yet? I know, I know.

And why is jiggery-pokery unleashed right now, even at CBC?

American Idol is causing havoc, that's why. Yes, American Idol is even causing panic in Canada. On Monday, American Idol drew more than two million viewers in Canada and thus ate into the ratings for CBC, even the definite hit, Rick Mercer's Monday Report. That's a real pity because Monday's show was the best yet -- Mercer was more relaxed and sharper than ever.

Meanwhile, ratings for The Newsroom have slumped, leaving This Is Wonderland with a weak lead-in. And, now that they think about it, The Newsroom might be more suitable for a 9:30 p.m. slot.

The steady, weekly increase in viewers for Idol has also caused NBC to move The Apprentice out of the way. This week, American Idol caused CTV to move The West Wing to Monday. Mind you, it was on NBC last night.

Look, people, you're on your own. They don't pay me enough money to get all dizzy and headachy while trying to keep track. I'm doing my best here. And could I please have two Aspirin with that dry sherry?

[...]

© Globe Information Services