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Although the networks will not unveil their fall schedules for another month, a few things are almost certain: new sitcoms starring TV legends Bill Cosby (CBS), Ted Danson (CBS), and Michael J. Fox (ABC) will not appear on Thursday night.
Programming chiefs at CBS, ABC and Fox are mulling just how they will attack the goliath that has trounced them on Thursday nights this season--NBC's powerhouse Must See TV lineup, Friends, Seinfeld and ER. While NBC has said no time slots are guaranteed for next fall and a few of its sitcoms could switch nights, Thursday still is the 900-1b. gorilla of prime time, sitting squarely atop the heap with an average 27 share while the other three networks struggle with shares in the teens and lower.
Though NBC's rivals will not schedule their most prized shows on Thursday, neither will they concede the night. They intend to counterprogram with fare such as movies, newsmagazines, action hours, older-skewing series and reality shows. CBS, ABC and Fox also will try to build strong blocks on other...