Of course, if "The Mississippi" had been successful following "60 Minutes" on Sunday nights, then there's a chance that "Murder, She Wrote" wouldn't have been picked up, as CBS was desperate to bolster that night's lineup and hit upon the notion of a detective/mystery series only after a couple of Miss Marple movies they had programmed on that night did well.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Khan

The Mississippi might have worked Friday 8 pm, but that would mean moving The Dukes of Hazzard. CBS tank jobbed a good number of their 1970s holdovers in the mid-1980s but they kept The Dukes of Hazzard at Friday 8 pm right until the end.

On 4/26/2026 at 8:53 AM, Khan said:

I'll admit I appreciate ELR for what I call its' "throwback storytelling." The show is a reminder of what you can do with a half-hour comedy when you focus on stories and not just jokes. But do I think it's in the same league as "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Cheers" or even "I Love Lucy"? No.

I likes ELR although once the flashback episode revealed it was Debra's idea to move across the street from the in-laws, I lost all sympathy for her. I much preferred The Middle over ELR. Probably because I grew up in the Midwest

I loved Home Improvement as a kid and most everyone loved it at the time. Of course, people wouldn't so overly sensitive about politics back in the 90s unlike nowadays...which is why people might not admit to liking it.

To me, it's very 90s and Tim and Jill were so like my parents that it isn't even funny.

If people want to talk about a time slot hit, I would say a show like Coach would be one.

I can see why Family Ties would be considered a timeslot hit, but it was #2 for two seasons and kept most of the Cosby Show audience.

And the fact it held it's own in season 6 on Sunday night as a top 20 show was admirable and I believe it was aired against Murder She Wrote also.

@Khan That thought had crossed my mind too lol. I could still see CBS debuting at 9/8 in ‘84 following The Mississippi had it been a hit but now my next question is would MSW have then gone the way of Crazy Like a Fox or would have been successful enough CBS just held off on Sunday night movies?

Hardcastle & McCormick? That show always struck me as the poor man’s Simon & Simon 🤣🤣🤣

10 minutes ago, kalbir said:

The Mississippi might have worked Friday 8 pm, but that would mean moving The Dukes of Hazzard. CBS tank jobbed a good number of their 1970s holdovers in the mid-1980s but they kept The Dukes of Hazzard at Friday 8 pm right until the end.

This is probably the better alternative solution. The Mississippi could have easier aired at 8/7 and be something fresh on the Friday night lineup.

CBS seemed interested in trying to program Saturday nights again in the 83-84 season, if they were still so intent to keep Dukes I would have started their new Saturday night lineup off with Dukes and then have something like Cutter to Houston air after it.