CBS unveiled eight new shows for advertisers at its upfronts Wednesday, though at least two of them seemed like retreads. New versions of “Murphy Brown” and “Magnum P.I.” will both be on the schedule of the network that has already successfully revived “Hawaii Five-0,” “MacGyver” and “S.W.A.T.” (though they listed “Magnum” as a new show, but not “Murphy Brown,” possibly because much of that same cast is returning).
In addition to familiar show titles, there were familiar actors attached to the new projects, which sounded pretty much like a lot of existing shows.
The new comedies are:
- “The Neighborhood” – In which a Midwesterner played by Max Greenfield of “New Girl” moves his family to a Los Angeles neighborhood where Cedric the Entertainer is his next door neighbor. Trichina Arnold is also in the cast. Mondays this fall.
- “Happy Together” – In what sounds a lot like the previous comedy, Damon Wayans Jr. and Amber Stevens West star as a couple who welcome in a pop star to their home. Harry Styles is one of the executive producers. Mondays this fall.
- “Murphy Brown” – A 72-year-old Candice Bergen returns as the outspoken broadcaster. She and her team — Faith Ford, Joe Regalbuto and Grant Shaud — all now in the world of 24-hour cable. Tyne Daly joins the cast and Jake McDormand plays Murphy’s now grown son. Thursdays this fall.
- “Fam” – A 16 year old half-sister comes to live with a woman, her fiancee and his parents in this comedy starring Nina Dobrev, Tone Bell and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Midseason.
The new CBS dramas are:
- “Magnum P.I.” – With Jay Hernandez in the title role as the military-trained private investigator and Tigers fan (who doesn’t have the mustache of his predecessor). With Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton and Orville “Rick” Wright. From the director of “Fast & Furious,” it has a particular interest in cars and crashes. Mondays this fall
- “FBI” – “Law & Order” creator Dick Wolf (who is behind all the “Chicago” shows on NBC) creates a procedural about the bureau with Missy Peregrym, Zeeko Zazi and Jeremy Sisto. Tuesdays this fall.
- “God Friended Me” – Brandon Michael Hall (who was recently “the Mayor”) is an atheist who gets a friend request from the Almighty and begins doing his bidding. What looks a little like the canceled “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World” was created in part by Greg Berlanti. Sundays this fall.
- “The Code” – About military attorneys in Quantico with Anna Wood, Ato Essandoh and Phillipa Soo. Midseason.
- “The Red Line” – Three Chicago families intersect after the mistaken shooting of an African American doctor by a white cop. With Noah Wyle, Emayatzy, Aliyah Royale. From Ava DuVernay and Berlanti again. Midseason
Returning shows include “The Amazing Race,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Big Brother,” “Blue Bloods,” “Bull,” “Celebrity Big Brother,” “Code Black,” “Criminal Minds,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “Elementary,” “48 Hours,” “Instinct,” “Life in Pieces,” “Man with a Plan,” “MacGyver,” “Madam Secretary,” “Mom,” “NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” “No Activity,” “Ransom,” “Salvation,” “SEAL Team,” “60 Minutes,” “Survivor,” “S.W.A.T.,” “Undercover Boss” and “Young Sheldon.”
Not returning are “Kevin Can Wait,” “Living Biblically,” “Me, Myself & I,” “9JKL,” “Scorpion,” “Superior Donuts” and “Wisdom of the Crowd.”
The week of upfronts concludes Thursday with The CW.