Speculation Grows About What CBS Will Air Post-Super Bowl

Which CBS Show Will Receive Coveted Post-Super Bowl Slot On February 7?

The most "intriguing guessing game" for the TV industry is "trying to figure out which CBS program will receive the coveted post-Super Bowl slot" after the net's coverage of the game on February 7, according to James Hibberd of THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. As network execs "generally look for a fairly young-skewing show that has the potential to draw a huge audience," "The Big Bang Theory" is one possibility. The show is a "youthful hit for the network, which is always a tempting pairing," and a "combo hour with 'How I Met Your Mother' or a special one-hour 'Big Bang' seems a smart bet." Hibberd notes "The Big Bang Theory" does not "need any ratings help, but the network knows that even a Super Bowl lead-in rarely makes a long-term difference in a show's performance anyway." Meanwhile, as "The Mentalist" has been "growing in recent weeks since moving to Thursdays," it "could make a fine match" with the Super Bowl. But when CBS aired Super Bowl XLI in '07, it "paired the game with another crime procedural, 'Criminal Minds,' which drew a lukewarm 26 million viewers." Hibberd also writes the "veteran 'Survivor' could receive the honors," but after 19 seasons of the show, CBS "probably is more tempted to showcase one of its newer programs" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 11/13).

FITTING CHOICE: The N.Y. POST writes the NFL's reported selection of The Who to perform during the Super Bowl halftime show "makes sense, since CBS uses Who songs as intros for all three of its 'CSI' shows: 'Who Are You' ('CSI:'), 'Baba O'Riley' ('CSI: NY') and 'Won't Get Fooled Again' ('CSI:  Miami')" (N.Y. POST, 11/13). In Ft. Lauderdale, Sarah Talalay noted The Who performing "wouldn't be the first time British Invasion senior citizens rocked the NFL's big party." Since the Janet Jackson "nipple-bearing wardrobe malfunction in 2004 in Houston, Super Bowl halftime acts have tended to be less modern" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 11/12). FANHOUSE.com's Will Brinson wrote "there are four factors that go into the selection of a Super Bowl performer: lack of hipness, proclivity for engaging old people, timelessness and a forthcoming album," and The Who "fit the bill" on all these factors  (FANHOUSE.com, 11/12). FanHouse.com's Kevin Blackistone said, "How far back are we going to go now? If there's nobody on the football team that knows who it is that's playing … then they shouldn't be performing at halftime." Blackistone: "Can we get a little hipper?" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 11/12).