Networks reshuffle lineups for sweeps

The postponement of the season premiere of Fox’s “The Bernie Mac Show,” the cancellation of ABC’s “L.A. Dragnet” and the announcement of a launch date for NBC’s “The Tracy Morgan Show” are among several changes that networks are making during the November sweeps period.

“The Bernie Mac Show,” which was to have its third season premiere this Sunday, has been moved to Nov. 30 in order to give Fox more opportunity to promote the comedy, network officials said. The series, considered to be one of the most important shows in Fox’s lineup, will air Sundays at 8:30 p.m. between “The Simpsons” and “Malcolm in the Middle.” Fox will air a second “Simpsons” episode at 8:30 p.m. starting this Sunday until “Bernie Mac” returns.

Meanwhile, ABC has pulled the plug on “L.A. Dragnet,” the updated version of the “Dragnet” police drama. The series, which premiered last season, failed to attract a large audience in its Saturday night time slot despite a creative revamp by executive producer Dick Wolf (“Law & Order”) and the addition of several cast members, which he had hoped would draw a younger audience.

The series had its last broadcast Nov. 1 in its 10 p.m. time slot, and will be replaced tonight by a rerun of this week’s highly rated episode of “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” that dealt with the death of series star John Ritter. ABC will air holiday-themed repeat episodes of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” in subsequent weeks.

NBC, meanwhile, has announced that “The Tracy Morgan Show,” starring the former “Saturday Night Live” cast member, will premiere at 8 p.m. Dec. 2. “Whoopi,” will move to 8:30 p.m., while “Happy Family” will be bumped from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

“Good Morning Miami,” which launched its second season in the 9:30 p.m. Tuesday time slot, will move Dec. 4 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, occupying the same time slot it held last season. It replaces the canceled “Coupling.”