The 2001–02 network television schedule for the six major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers the primetime hours from September 2001 to August 2002. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2000–01 season.
PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcasts times for network shows may vary. Also not included are stations affiliated with Pax TV, as its schedule is composed mainly of syndicated reruns although it also carried a limited schedule of first-run programs.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows released in May 2002 is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.Highest-rated series is based on the annual top-rated programs list compiled by Nielsen Media Research and reported on TimBrooks.net/Ratings
From February 8 to 24, 2002, all of NBC's primetime programming was preempted in favor of coverage of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Impact of the September 11 attacks
During the week of September 11, 2001, the major television networks aired continuous news coverage of the September 11 attacks. The news coverage preempted the networks' primetime schedules between September 11 and September 15, with regular programming resuming on September 16. As a result of the preemptions, the programs that were set to begin airing new seasons in mid-September had their premieres delayed until late September and early October. The Amazing Race was the first program to premiere in the 2001–02 season; the show's first season premiered on September 5, but had its second episode postponed from September 12 to September 19 due to the aforementioned news coverage. As a result of the scheduling oddities that were necessitated by the news coverage, the 2001–02 season was the second of four instances where the start of the season was delayed due to issues outside of the control of the major television networks; the other instances were the 1988–89 season (due to the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike), the 2020–21 season (due to a suspension of television productions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), and the 2023–24 season (due to a series of strikes that affected both the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA). The next major disruption to the primetime television schedules of the major television networks would not occur until the 2007–08 season, which was affected by the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike.
The 53rd Primetime Emmy Awards, which were planned for September 16, were initially postponed to October 7, but news coverage of the United States invasion of Afghanistan prompted the awards to be postponed for a second time; the awards would be eventually held on November 4.
Legend
Schedule New series to broadcast television are highlighted in bold. Repeat airings or same-day rebroadcasts are indicated by . All times are U.S. Eastern and Pacific Time (except for some live sports or events). Subtract one hour for Central, Mountain, Alaska, and Hawaii–Aleutian times. All sporting events air live in all time zones in U.S. Eastern time, with local and/or late-night programming scheduled by affiliates after game completion.
Sunday
Network7:00 p.m.7:30 p.m.8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABCThe Wonderful World of DisneyAlias The Practice CBS Fall60 Minutes The Education of Max BickfordCBS Sunday Movie SpringTouched by an Angel SummerEverybody Loves Raymond Becker Fox FallFuturamaKing of the HillThe SimpsonsMalcolm in the MiddleThe X-FilesLocal programming SummerLooking for Love:Bachelorettes in Alaska Late summerKing of the Hill Malcolm in the Middle NBC Fall Dateline NBCThe Weakest Link Law & Order: Criminal Intent UC: Undercover Winter SpringNBA on NBCVarious programming Late springDateline NBCLaw & Order: Crime & Punishment SummerVarious programmingThe WB FallRipley's Believe It or Not! The Steve Harvey ShowMen, Women & Dogs Nikki Off CentreLocal programming Mid-fallOff Centre Nikki Late fallNikki Men, Women & Dogs WinterThe Steve Harvey Show The Steve Harvey ShowThe Jamie Kennedy ExperimentFor Your Love Late winterNo BoundariesThe Jamie Kennedy Experiment Spring Flix from the Frog The Jamie Kennedy Experiment Off Centre Late springAngel SummerFor Your Love Charmed Mid-summerCharmed
NOTE: Fox aired 2 episodes of The Chamber in mid-January 2002. During the fall, Futurama and King of the Hill were preempted by overruns of NFL games. On The WB, Lost in the USA was supposed to air at 7–8, but it was cancelled due to 9/11 problems.
Monday
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallWho Wants to Be a MillionaireNFL Monday ShowcaseMonday Night Football WinterThe ABC Monday Night Movie SpringAmerica's Funniest Home Videos The BachelorOnce and Again Mid-springThe ABC Monday Night Movie SummerSpecial programmingCBS FallThe King of Queens Yes, Dear Everybody Loves Raymond Becker Family Law WinterYes, Dear Baby Bob SpringThe King of Queens Yes, Dear 48 HoursFox FallBoston PublicAlly McBealLocal programming WinterThe American Embassy SpringAlly McBeal SummerTitus Mid-summerBoston Public NBC FallThe Weakest LinkDateline NBCCrossing Jordan Mid-fallThird Watch WinterFear Factor SpringDog Eat Dog SummerMeet My FolksUPN The Hughleys One on One The Parkers GirlfriendsLocal programmingThe WB7th HeavenAngel Note: ABC's The Runner was planned to launch after the end of the NFL season, but production was shut down post-9/11 because of new security, transportation, and budget complications for the coast-to-coast reality series.
Tuesday
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallDharma & Greg What About Joan? Bob Patterson Spin CityPhilly Mid-fall Spin CityNYPD Blue WinterThe Chair Late winterDharma & GregSpin City SpringThe Court Mid-springSpecial programming NYPD Blue SummerAccording to Jim The MoleHouston Medical Mid-summerMonk WidowsCBSJAG The Guardian Judging Amy Fox FallThat '70s ShowUndeclaredLove CruiseLocal programming Mid-fall24 Winter Andy Richter Controls the Universe SpringThat '70s Show Late springThat '70s Show American Idol:The Search for a Superstar SummerThat '70s Show Grounded for LifeNBC Fall EmerilThree SistersFrasier ScrubsDateline Tuesday WinterFrasier Late winter Watching Ellie SpringSpecial programming Summer Spy TVSpy TV Mid-summerJust Shoot Me! The Rerun ShowUPN FallBuffy the Vampire SlayerRoswellLocal programming WinterVarious programming Spring As If The Random Years Mid-springRoswell SummerUnder One Roof Mid-summerVarious programmingThe WBGilmore GirlsSmallville
Note: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Roswell moved to UPN from The WB this season.
Wednesday
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallMy Wife & KidsAccording to JimThe Drew Carey Show Whose Line is it Anyway?20/20 Downtown WinterThe Job Spring George Lopez Mid-springAccording to Jim Late spring My Adventures in Television Early summerThe Drew Carey Show SummerMy Wife & Kids CBS Fall60 Minutes II The Amazing RaceWolf Lake Mid-fallSpecial programming WinterCBS Wednesday Movie Late winterThe Amazing Race48 Hours SpringCBS Wednesday Movie SummerBig Brother48 HoursFox FallMalcolm in the Middle Grounded for LifeVarious programmingLocal programming Mid-fallThe Bernie Mac ShowTitus WinterThat '80s Show SpringGreg the Bunny Mid-springVarious programming Late springAmerican Idol:The Search for a Superstar Summer 30 Seconds to FameSpecial programming Mid-summer30 Seconds to FameNBC FallEdThe West Wing Law & Order SummerSpecial programmingUPN FallStar Trek: EnterpriseSpecial Unit 2Local programming WinterSpecial programming SpringWolf Lake Mid-springVarious programming Late springWolf Lake SummerBuffy the Vampire Slayer The WB FallDawson's CreekFelicity WinterGlory Days SpringFelicity Late springDawson's Creek SummerWB Wednesday Movie
Note: When their original fall schedule was announced, ABC planned for the second season of The Job to air after The Drew Carey Show in mid-September, leading into NYPD Blue in the 10pm ET timeslot after 20/20 Downtown returned to Friday nights in late December. The series was delayed after 9/11 and premiered on January 16 to allow the show's cast and crew to adjust the scripts and tone for the New York-set police dramedy to the city's new post-9/11 reality. In the meantime, Bob Patterson moved to that same timeslot in an attempt to save the show, with NYPD Blue returning to its traditional Tuesday night berth, albeit one hour earlier at 9 p.m. ET.
Thursday
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallWhose Line Is It Anyway?Whose Line Is It Anyway? Who Wants to Be a MillionairePrimetime Winter Spring SummerABC Big Picture ShowCBS FallSurvivor: Africa CSI: Crime Scene Investigation The Agency WinterVarious programming Late winterSurvivor: Marquesas SpringThe Price is Right Salutes SummerBig BrotherFox FallSpecial programmingLocal programming Mid-fallFamily Guy The Tick Temptation Island WinterFamily Guy Late winterKing of the Hill Futurama SpringFox Thursday Night Movie SummerBeyond Belief: Fact or FictionThe PulseNBC FallFriends Inside Schwartz Will & Grace Just Shoot Me! ER Mid-fallVarious programming Late fallInside Schwartz Winter Will & Grace Late winterLeap of Faith SpringFriends Late springVarious programming SummerScrubs Mid-summer The Rerun Show Late summerVarious programmingUPN WWF SmackDown!Local programmingThe WB FallPopstarsCharmed Late fall PopstarsMaybe It's Me WinterVarious programming SpringGilmore Girls Late springThe Jamie Kennedy Experiment SummerReba The Jamie Kennedy Experiment Off Centre NOTE: The WB aired ElimiDate Deluxe at 8:30 pm on October 11 and 18 before being canceled due to low ratings.
Friday
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallThe Mole: The Next BetrayalThievesOnce and Again Mid-fallAmerica's Funniest Home Videos Late fallSpecial programming Winter20/20 SpringVarious programming SummerWhose Line Is It Anyway? CBS Fall The Ellen Show DannyThat's Life48 Hours Mid-fallVarious programming The Ellen Show Late fallSpecial programming WinterJAG First Monday SpringVarious programming Late spring48 HoursCBS Friday Night Movie SummerVarious programmingFox FallDark AngelPasadenaLocal programming Mid-fall24 WinterThat '70s Show Various programmingDark Angel SpringDark Angel The X-Files SummerInvasion of the Hidden CamerasNBC FallProvidence Dateline NBC Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Winter SpringDateline Friday SummerDateline NBC Law & Order: Special Victims Unit UPN FallUPN's Night at the MoviesLocal programming SpringVarious programmingUnder One Roof Mid-springUPN's Night at the MoviesThe WB FallSabrina the Teenage Witch Maybe It's MeReba Raising Dad Winter Raising Dad Maybe It's Me SummerSabrina the Teenage Witch Raising Dad
NOTE: Fox aired The Chamber on January 25, 2002, after two preview airings on past Sunday nights. The show was cancelled after its Friday night airing.
Saturday
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABCABC Big Picture ShowCBS FallTouched by an AngelCitizen BainesThe District Mid-fallVarious programming SummerBig BrotherThe District The Agency Fox COPSCOPS America's Most Wanted:America Fights BackLocal programming NBCSpecial programmingNBC Saturday Night Movie
By network ABC
Returning series 20/20 ABC Big Picture Show The ABC Monday Night Movie ABC Saturday Night Movie America's Funniest Home Videos Dharma & Greg The Drew Carey Show The Job The Mole Monday Night Football My Wife and Kids NYPD Blue Once and Again The Practice Primetime Thursday Spin City The Wayne Brady Show What About Joan? Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Whose Line Is It Anyway? The Wonderful World of Disney
New series According to Jim Alias The Bachelor Bob Patterson The Chair * The Court * George Lopez * Houston Medical * Monk (reruns) Philly Thieves