[Upfronts] UPN Releases Fall Schedule

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UPN’s new schedule, announced on Thursday, features a new injection of star power and a major push on Thursday night.

In its ongoing battle with The WB for fifth, UPN has moved “WWE Smackdown!” off Thursdays and cancelled the hyped drama “Kevin Hill,” instead offering new shows featuring Chris Rock, Shannen Doherty and Denise Richards. The network has also made room for the under-watched, but critically adored, drama “Veronica Mars” .

UPN’s week begins with comedies on Monday, starting with “One on One” at 8 p.m. ET. “All of Us” moves to the 8:30 slot from Tuesday night, as “Girlfriends” and “Half & Half” stay in the same place.

UPN will start Tuesday with repeats of “America’s Next Top Model, followed by the new drama “Sex, Lies & Secrets,” a look at the lives of L.A. young professionals, featuring Richards and the Eric Balfour.

New episodes of “America’s Next Top Model” will start things off on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. After a tough season on Tuesdays, “Veronica Mars” gets the coveted post-“Model” spot, a home where the network hopes the drama will attract as much viewers as critical praise.

In a major change of pace, UPN has decided to go after what it sees as an untapped comedy market on Thursdays, starting with “Everybody Hates Chris,” narrated by Rock and based on his experiences as a teen in Brooklyn in the early ’80s. “Eve” gets the 8:30 slot, followed by “Cuts.”. Another new comedy, “Love, Inc.,” features Shannen Doherty and Holly Robinson Peete at 9:30 p.m.

“WWE Smackdown!” moves to Friday, where it will take up the two-hour primetime block.

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