Networks to shuffle schedules for debates

[Brent]

Nets Shuffle Schedules for Debate

(Friday, September 24 12:20 PM)

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) CBS and NBC would like you to know that next week's 9 p.m. Thursday will take place on Wednesday.

The top two networks are rearranging their schedules a little to accommodate the first presidential debate of the 2004 campaign season, scheduled to air live at 9 p.m. ET Thursday (Sept. 30). Debates are also scheduled for Friday, Oct. 8 and Wednesday, Oct. 13, with a vice-presidential debate set for Tuesday, Oct. 5.

The first debate will bump highly rated shows from both CBS and NBC on Thursday. NBC is moving next week's episode of "The Apprentice" to 9 p.m. ET Wednesday (Sept. 29). CBS followed suit by announcing it would air an episode of "CSI" -- albeit a repeat -- in the same hour.

CBS' move means the premieres of "The King of Queens" and "Center of the Universe" will be moved back a week to Oct. 6. The "CSI" rerun will lead into a new episode baby brother "CSI: NY," creating a two-hour crime-solving block.
NBC's "ER" and CBS' "Without a Trace" will take next week off, as will a new "CSI" episode.

ABC and FOX don't have as much juggling to do. ABC's 9 p.m. Thursday show, "life as we know it," isn't scheduled to debut until the following week ("Primetime Live" will be bumped, however). FOX is filling its Thursday schedule with specials and clip shows like "World's Craziest Videos" until November, so it doesn't lose much either.

"Survivor: Vanuatu" is still set to air at 8 p.m. Thursday on CBS, preceding the debate. NBC hasn't said yet whether it will stick to its regular 8 o'clock schedule of "Joey" and "Will & Grace."