Tuesday, January 20, 2004

By Rob Owen, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


HOLLYWOOD -- In March, CBS's Pittsburgh-set legal drama "The Guardian" will take a break to make way for midseason drama "Century City." "The Guardian" is scheduled to return April 27 and CBS Entertainment president Nancy Tellem said "Century City" replaces what would otherwise be "Guardian" reruns.

"We're not unhappy with 'The Guardian,' " Tellem said. " 'The Guardian' is doing just fine. I don't want anyone to think by putting in 'Century City' in that time period it's any message whatsoever what we think of 'The Guardian.' "

CBS chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves said "The Guardian" "has performed fine," but because CBS is having such a good year with so few drama series failures, the bar has been raised.

"It doesn't mean 'The Guardian' is dead or it's over, but with 'CSI:New York' coming in, we don't have a whole lot of space. Whether it gets renewed is going to depend on development." Moonves said the 9 p.m. Tuesday time period is vulnerable.

"It's a bubble show, no question," Moonves said, indicating that "The Guardian" may or may not return for a fourth season in the fall.

Executive producer Mark Johnson said he's not thrilled with CBS's decision.

"I think this year we're stronger creatively than we ever have been, and I somehow want to get that out," Johnson said. "When you disappear from when people expect to see you at a particular time and
you're not there, you lose momentum. I'm being a good soldier and not saying anything, but I'm not pleased."

Johnson said he's concerned that the show may not get renewed for a fourth season.

"I'm certainly not taking it for granted," he said. "I took for granted that we'd have this season, but I think we have a lot of work to do to make sure we have a season four."

Johnson attended a CBS party Saturday night and was seen chatting amicably with Paul Attanasio, executive producer of "Century City," which will replace "The Guardian."

"I can't turn on him yet because he wrote 'Quiz Show' and 'Donnie Brasco,' which I produced," Johnson said, smiling.

Mt. Lebanon native and "Guardian" creator David Hollander was scheduled to attend a CBS party to promote the show Saturday night, but he never showed up.