However, the failed experiment of placing Jay Leno on the 10 p.m. hour redounded to the benefit of the other major networks.

Speaking to a gathering of TV critics from around the nation, Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment, proclaimed that the fall season propelled her network to the number one spot in prime-time, daytime and late night programming.

Alluding to the recent fall schedule, when CBS introduced the new series of “The Good Wife” and “NCIS: Los Angeles,” Tassler said it has been “a great season for network television” with an “outstanding freshman class across the board,” citing the successful examples of “Modern Family” on ABC, “Glee” on FOX, and “The Vampire Diaries” on the CW network.

Noticeably absent from her praise of vital programming on other networks was any mention of NBC.

Actually, all of NBC’s competitors should be thankful that the peacock network completely bungled its 10 p.m. schedule, allowing the rest of them to move in on the valuable prime-time real estate.

No doubt, CBS is riding high right now, and things look great on the immediate horizon with the upcoming Super Bowl and “The Grammy” awards, not to mention the new season launches for “The Amazing Race” and “Survivor.”

As Tassler so notably observed, “there is no substitute for developing great shows, working with great talent, and getting your program on the air.”

Viewed as a three-part strategy, the last piece of her observation is even more critical when considering the timing of a new program’s debut. The new reality series “Undercover Boss” will be unveiled after the Super Bowl on Super Sunday, Feb. 7.

“Undercover Boss” is a reality series that follows high level corporate executives as they slip anonymously into the rank and file of their own companies. Each week, a different executive will leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their corporation.

In theory, while working alongside their employees, these executives will learn about themselves, the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organization, and the perception of their company.

The producers of “Undercover Boss” are hoping to find that the executives, as a bonus, may discover the unsung heroes of their work force. I am wondering if they might instead uncover some old-fashioned featherbedding. Too bad we can’t get the postmaster general to work in the back room sorting through sacks of mail.

This program is not likely to work all that well with smaller companies where the boss may be more visible to the workers. The element of surprise is essential. This should fairly well remove any possibility that we will be treated to Donald Trump working on a construction crew for one of his real estate development projects.

Another element to the timing strategy is the upcoming 20th installment of “Survivor.” It premieres with a special two-hour episode on Thursday, Feb. 11.

What is the significance of that date, you ask? The launch of “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” is the day before the start of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, which is being broadcast by the struggling NBC network with the hope if not expectation of a ratings bonanza.

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” reunites 20 former castaways, including some of the most heroic and controversial contestants.

The unforgettable castaways will compete deep in the South Pacific on the breathtaking island of Samoa and will be divided into two tribes of 10 comprised of the best “heroes” and the biggest “villains” to ever play the game.

According to the handy notes provided by the CBS publicity machine, the “heroes” have been defined by their decisions of integrity, courage and honor, while the “villains” have mastered their skills of deception, manipulation and duplicity. The series will follow the relationships and conflicts that develop among the two divergent groups.

In the “villain” category is Jerri Manthey, who achieved her own degree of notoriety for making a big splash with the cover and an inside pictorial feature in “Playboy.” She’s in fine company with Kim Kardashian.

If there is one guy in Hollywood who will never be out of work, it must be producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the prolific mover behind just about any big action movie and TV program in the last 10 to 20 years. His name is synonymous with high-octane action and explosive adventure.

His feature film resume includes “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Bad Boys,” “Top Gun” and more recently “National Treasure.” On television, he’s produced “Without a Trace,” “CSI: NY” and “CSI: Miami,” to name a few.

For the first time ever, Bruckheimer will now produce a medical drama. “Miami Medical,” coming on the CBS schedule in early April, is about a team of expert surgeons who thrive on the adrenaline rush of working at one of the premiere trauma facilities in the country while drawing upon their wit and irreverence to survive on the edge.

The “Alpha Team” of doctors includes Jeremy Northam’s Dr. Matthew Proctor, new to the trauma team after leaving a lucrative private practice following his return from a tour of duty in a MASH unit during the first Gulf War.

Lana Parrilla’s Dr. Eva Zambrano is a workaholic surgeon who wishes she had more time for a personal life. Mike Vogel’s Dr. Chris Deleo is a playboy who thrives on the high-stakes of trauma medicine. Fresh out of medical school, Elisabeth Harnois’ Dr. Serena Warren is quickly learning the meaning of trial by fire. The glue that holds this team of doctors together, Omar Gooding’s head nurse Tuck Brody seeks to bring balance to this chaotic corner of the medical profession.

With a solid schedule, CBS only needs to tinker on the margins to maintain its edge. Another round of “Survivor” and a possible hit show from Jerry Bruckheimer should do the trick.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

Though it is no longer news to anyone, Simon Cowell made a surprise appearance at the recent TV critics press tour to end all speculation about his future on “American Idol.” Most surprisingly, the brash Cowell humbly likened his departure to that of a good football player retiring, while noting “the team will continue to be successful.”

No sooner had Cowell, in what was totally out of character, taken an unassuming, self-effacing stance about his pivotal role, Fox Chairman Peter Rice stepped in to boost his flagging ego.

While expressing commitment to “American Idol” for as long as it lasts, Rice noted that “Simon is irreplaceable, but it’s going to be incumbent upon us to make sure the show remains vital and entertaining and compelling.”

Nobody knows, or nobody is saying, who will take over for Cowell, but someone other than Ryan Seacrest will just have to become available.

For his part, Cowell will be devoting himself after the end of this season’s “American Idol” to launching “The X Factor” in the fall of 2011.

Having created the show in the United Kingdom, Cowell seeks to duplicate “The X Factor” formula in the United States, bringing us another singing competition reality program, but one in which there is no upper age limit for contestants.

Cowell noted the logistical challenge of launching “The X Factor,” because in the United Kingdom the show generated 250,000 applicants every year. The program is not yet ready to accept applications but, as they stay in television, stay tuned.

I hate getting into the ratings business, but Fox Chairman Peter Rice insisted that his network was NO. 1 for the first time ever entering the month of January.

It used to be that Fox could only achieve that status during the winter due to the success of the show that Simon Cowell is soon abandoning.

Maybe with the success of “Glee” and “The Cleveland Show” Fox no longer has to rely on the whims of a maniacal British talent show judge. Nevertheless, television programming is never a static affair, and new programs always have to be in the pipeline.

One new series that just premiered is “Human Target,” based on the popular DC Comics graphic novel of the same name.

Mark Valley stars as Christopher Chance, a unique private contractor/security expert/bodyguard who literally turns himself into a human target for the benefit of his clients. He solves protection issues through unusual means. If, for example, you’re the president of a bank who’s been tipped off to a potential heist, Chance is your unassuming bank teller.

During each job, Chance gets help from his partner Winston (Chi McBride) and hired gun Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley), as he puts himself directly in the line of fire to save the lives of his clients.

Family comedy “Sons of Tucson” has an interesting premise. Three brothers hire a charming, wayward schemer to stand in as their father when their real one goes to prison.

The kids wisely don’t want to end up in foster care, but their dad-for-hire Ron Snuffkin (Tyler Labine) is not exactly qualified for parental duty.

A lovable slacker working at a sporting goods store, Ron has his hands full dealing with the brothers, one of which is a con man like his father, the oldest one is a committed optimist with a unique world view and the youngest is a loose cannon who doesn’t respond well to authority.

Have you ever experienced déjà vu or met someone you thought seemed familiar? Do you believe in karma, fate or love at first sight? Have you ever had an out-of-body experience?

I don’t know about you, but I might answer in the affirmative to at least two of these questions. In any case, these queries are set forth as a preface to the new drama series “Past Life,” which investigates the world of the unexplained through the eyes of a doctor and a former detective who must work together to solve decades-old mysteries.

In “Past Life,” Kelli Giddish’s Dr. Kate McGinn is a psychologist working at a world-renowned institute dedicated to the study of the science of the soul.

A believer in reincarnation, Kate uses therapy and her natural gift for reading people to solve the mysteries of her troubled clients.

Kate’s partner, Nicholas Bishop’s Price Whatley, is a different story. A former NYPD homicide detective, the pragmatic and cynical Price is a damaged soul who constantly battles grief and guilt over the accidental death of his wife.

Kate and Price make a formidable, albeit somewhat dysfunctional team that works with other colleagues in each episode to unravel a new mystery.

One show that I think sounds intriguing won’t be around until May and by then may have a new title other than its working one of “Code 58.”

For one thing, this new action comedy is produced by Matt Nix, who serves the same function with “Burn Notice,” one of the best shows running.

“Code 58” is about what happens when an old-school cop and a modern-day detective expose the big picture of small crime.

Once upon the 1970s, Bradley Whitford’s Dan Stark was a big-shot Dallas detective and local hero. Thirty years later, Dan is a washed-up detective who spends most of his time drunk or rehashing his glory days. A stranger to modern police work, Dan has the reputation of being a bit of a wild card.

Almost obligatory in cop shows, “Code 58” requires that Dan must have a partner, in this case a mismatch with Colin Hanks’ Jack Bailey, a younger, ambitious, by-the-book and overall good detective who is sometimes too snarky for his own good.

Jack’s habit of undermining himself has earned him a dead-end position in the department, so naturally he’s a good fit for Dan. Both of them are stuck solving annoying petty theft cases that nobody else wants.

But worse of all for Dan is that he has the thankless job of babysitting Dan, the drunk pariah who can never keep partners for long.

Fans of “24” are so dedicated that viewing parties are typically organized for each episode. So I don’t need to remind you that Season Eight just got under way, and Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer is once again doing what he does best.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

Only a few short years ago, Stephen McPherson, president of the ABC Entertainment Group, gambled his fall schedule on 10 new series, which is kind of like replacing all five cards dealt in a poker game.

In any case, stability now reigns at the ABC television network, and McPherson continues in his position as head honcho.

Speaking to a gathering of the nation’s TV critics, McPherson acknowledged indirectly that success comes not just from stability in a schedule, but the willingness to gamble when necessary.

“I think we are going to continue to be ambitious,” he said, adding “that’s where we succeed.”

On the flip side, he also noted that “where we have been derivative and played it safe, I think we fail.”

In this regard, it’s evident that ABC is going to miss “Lost” when its run comes to an end.

I confess that I never get caught up in the hoopla over “Lost,” the drama that launched in September 2004 and has been nominated, by McPherson’s count, for 146 awards.

Having won the prestigious Peabody Award as well as the Emmy and Golden Globe for best drama series, “Lost” is a creative force to be reckoned with, but still I never succumbed to its appeal.

Frankly, I found myself “lost” when watching “Lost,” which is likely to happen when you tune in briefly to show that requires total commitment to faithful viewing and understanding of the key players.

In any case, ABC has announced that “Lost” comes to an end in a prime-time special event on Sunday, May 23, a two-hour episode from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Preceding the finale will be a recap special from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., something like a Cliff Notes for the occasional viewer.

McPherson issued a statement that the ABC network is “giving the producers an unprecedented opportunity to respect the fans and really satisfy the viewers with a spectacular conclusion.” Fans of “Lost” now have a challenge to see if the network lives up to its promise.

Stability in a network is also evident when commitments are made early to renew viable series. ABC has solidified its Wednesday night comedy lineup by announcing early pickups of “Cougar Town,” “The Middle” and “Modern Family,” all of which are freshman shows.

“Modern Family,” which makes the cookie cutter mold of man and wife and 2.5 kids a thing of the past, is the network’s top-rated new comedy. Starring Patricia Heaton, “The Middle” has found success with the traditional family and solid Midwestern values. As for “Cougar Town,” Courteney Cox is all the rage as a newly divorced single mother of a certain age submerged in the dating scene.

In case you missed it, ABC recently premiered the new legal drama “The Deep End,” making up for the fact that “Boston Legal” ran its course.

Instead of delving primarily into the quirks of senior partners, “The Deep End” focuses on the tragedies and triumphs of five earnest 20-something first-year associates fighting to stay afloat in one of Los Angeles’ top law firms.

Not surprisingly, the neophytes are tossed into the shark-infested waters of a cutthroat environment. The five associates struggle with ethical decisions, while the firm’s partners are up to their eyeballs in backstabbing and the occasional office romances. Billy Zane’s partner is married to another partner (Nicole Ari Parker), but that doesn’t keep him from sleeping with the paralegal.

Arriving later this spring as a midseason replacement is the quirky drama “Happy Town,” a show that producer Scott Rosenberg told TV critics would generate inevitable comparisons to “Twin Peaks.” In fact, Rosenberg recounted how he bet someone involved with that show that he would provide a dollar for every review of his new show that doesn’t mention “Twin Peaks” and that he guaranteed he would wind up not owing a nickel.

According to the producer, the comparison is inevitable because “Happy Town” is a “spooky, small-town show.” I am expecting Rosenberg to send me a dollar because I will not directly bring up a comparison to David Lynch’s cult favorite creation.

Haplin, Minnesota is a small town haunted by a number of unsolved kidnappings. After an uneasy peace for five years, the town now faces a dark new crime that brings all its unresolved fears to the surface. Has the elusive “Magic Man,” who many believe is responsible for the bizarre abductions, returned to claim another victim?

The motives of prominent citizens come under scrutiny as their own secrets and personalities are peeled back one layer at a time. Dragged away from his idyllic family life to investigate the new spate of crimes, Tommy Conroy (Geoff Stults), a small town deputy under the wing of his dad, long-time popular Sheriff Griffin Conroy (M.C. Gainey), has never had to take charge of Haplin’s law enforcement.

On the other side of town, the long shadow of the Haplin founding family, represented by mysterious matriarch Peggy Haplin (Frances Conroy) and her son, John (Steven Weber), who runs the local bread factory, try to maintain control. John’s daughter was one of the “Magic Man’s” victims, and he has not given up hope of finding her and seeing justice.

Like some other show I won’t mention, “Happy Town” is full of colorful characters caught in webs of intrigue and mystery. Producer Rosenberg claims that his show looks to give answers in swift fashion. Every time a question is raised, it should be answered in the next episode, though the answer is likely to open up another question.

“The idea is to really be giving individual satisfactions within each episode to reassure the audience that answers are coming and that it’s not just going to be dragging something else,” said the producer in his comforting words.

Though not ready yet to announce its all-star cast, ABC kicks off the 10th season of the hit reality series “Dancing with the Stars” with a huge two-hour premiere on Monday, March 22.

I had no idea we’re already upon a double-digit season. Sometimes I feel like Rip Van Winkle, rising from a deep slumber and unaware of important cultural news like this.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

New and exciting in our February show is the finely crafted and unique jewelry of Stephanie Bero.

Showing for the first time at the gallery is the talented Josh Murray with his impressionistic work in acrylics.

Also new to the show is Jacquiline Solberg-Mum's unusual and captivating work in color a photography of floral and underwater scenes.

Continuing in the Main Street Gallery is the unique wall sculptures of Ted Kirby executed in mixed medium. Richard Hoyt exhibits his skill in figurative photography, while Ginger Ingersoll adds a new piece to her impressionist oils.

Diana Liebe and Phyllis Thiessen continue to delight us with their charming work in watercolors. Meredith Gambrel shows her distinctive landscape style in oils. Try on one of Toni Stewart's one-of-a-kind handcrafted and irresistible hats.

Phil Mathewson gives a new dimension to the show with his bold and provocative abstracts, while Jo Bergeson presents an eclectic show in oils with subject matter ranging from nudes to abstracts.

Shelby Posada continues to hang her work in pastels, but demonstrates another side of her creativity with her acrylic and mixed medium abstracts. Linda Richmond's brilliant work in acrylics adds sparkle and dimension to this varied show.

We are pleased to welcome back the students from Upper Lake under the instruction of Jennifer Sabalone. Last year this students delighted us with their miniature clay creations, and this show is another delight with a well worked example of abstract pastels. How fortunate we are to have instructors who can instill this love of art and expression in their students. And, how fortunate we are to afford them the space to show their creative endeavors.

We invite you to join us and meet our featured artists while sampling the fine wines of Villa La Brenta. Adding to the festivities of the evening, we welcome back Michael Barrish with his original compositions on acoustic guitar.

The Main Street Gallery and Gift Shop is located at 325 N. Main Street in Lakeport. For more information call 707-263-6658.

Shelby Posada is executive director of the Lake County Arts Council.