The TV Zone

"Oh God, not SATURDAY...Just KILL ME NOW...."

One of the nuttiest - but "nutty" in a fun, good way - shows of mid-season has been dispatched to the Saturday dead zone: "Harper's Island."

CBS just announced, and put a very happy face on the decision, sayings "HI" does really really really well in play-back, etc. But...

It's to be replaced by a repeat of "Criminal Minds" this Thursday. Probably goes without saying that this is an ominous move for the show - and it hasn't even killed off half of its characters yet. But no reason why CBS can't let it spool out, and allow the few fans who are following to find out whodunit. And if CBS does let it play out through (I think) July, then no reason why Saturday would be any worse a night than Thursday or Tuesday or Sunday at 7...

Here's what CBS says, and it doesn't sound like total balderdash...really...

"The preliminary DVR and online streaming data suggest a passionate audience for HARPER'S outside its current Thursday time period borders," said Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President Prime Time, CBS Television. "This move gives us an opportunity to improve the time period on Thursday while experimenting with more original programming on Saturday, and continuing to serve an audience that is clearly engaged in the ongoing HARPER'S ISLAND story."

According to Nielsen live plus 7-day playback results versus live, the HARPER'S ISLAND premiere audience increased by +29% in adults 18-49 (3.1 from 2.4), +33% in adults 18-34 (2.0 from 1.5), +25% in adults 25-54 (4.0 from 3.2) and gained +1.64 million viewers (11.29m from 9.65m).

More changes...on the jump...