• Reuters, Thursday, August 19, 2010 10:40 PM

Friday night television -- long regarded as a lame duck slot for dying shows -- is making a comeback this fall, with U.S. networks investing in new scripted dramas with big stars, and advertisers looking for stay-at-home audiences. Be it the poor economy, the rebound in the ad spending, or the quest for even small audiences in a fragmented TV market, three of the five leading networks are launching new primetime series in September on Friday nights.

ABC has medical/crime drama "Body of Proof," Tom Selleck stars in the CBS police family drama "Blue Bloods," while NBC is putting on its new Jimmy Smits lawyer show "Outlaw." Youth-oriented channel the CW has also moved returning popular shows "Smallville" and "Supernatural" to Fridays. "There are many millions of viewers available on Friday," said NBC scheduling chief Mitch Metcalf. "It is also an important night for advertisers. It is the last chance to reach consumers before big weekend decisions -- like visiting car showrooms or retail stores."

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