CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- CBS has anointed Tuesday night as the network's staging ground for its summer schedule, announcing today both "The Amazing Race" and "Big Brother" will take up residence on the night starting in July.
Both series will kick off their respective fifth seasons on Tuesday, July 6 with 90-minute editions: "Brother" at 8:00/7:00c and "Race" at 9:30/8:30c.
"Brother" will then settle into its thrice-a-week schedule - Thursdays at 8:00/7:00c, Saturdays at 9:00/8:00c and Tuesdays at 9:00/8:00c - while "Race" will air regularly on Tuesdays at 10:00/9:00c. The news marks a noticeable change from last summer when "Race" aired on Thursdays at 8:00/7:00c and "Brother" ran Tuesdays at 8:00/7:00c, Wednesdays at 9:00/8:00c and Fridays at 8:00/7:00c.
CBS executives say the move of both series to later times on Tuesday nights should help them stand out from the expected tidal wave of reality programs expected to bow this summer. More importantly, they'll replace "The Guardian" and "Judging Amy," both of which don't repeat well for the network.
In addition, not only will "Brother" and "Race" share the same viewership burden on Tuesday nights, they'll also have a connection: one of "Race's" contestants this season is Alison Irwin - last summer's runner-up on "Big Brother." She'll compete alongside boyfriend Donny.
Both series also promise new twists this time around. For instance on "Race," during non-elimination weeks, the team that finishes last will be stripped of all their money as well as deprived of any starting cash for the next leg of the race. Another change will be the addition of a "yield" component, which will let each team (only once during the race) slow down someone who's closing in behind them.
"Brother" also has some new twists in store however the producers are staying quiet about them until the last minute.
So far "Brother" and "Race" are the only series slated for CBS' summer schedule. Mike Fleiss' new reality series "The Will" however is expected to join the lineup at some point during the period.
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