2001–02 United States network television schedule

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.

New series are highlighted in bold.

Repeat airings or same-day rebroadcasts are indicated by (R).

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 (including Fox affiliates during the 10 p.m. ET/PT hour) by affiliates after game completion.

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) and the 2020–21 season (due to a suspension of television productions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic). 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
Light blue indicates local programming.

Gray indicates encore programming.

Blue-gray indicates news programming.

Light green indicates sporting events.

Red indicates series being burned off and other irregularly scheduled programs, including specials and movies.

Yellow highlights indicates the top-10 most watched programs of the season.

Cyan highlights indicates numbers 11-20 most watched programs of the season.

Magenta highlights indicates numbers 21-30 most watched programs of the season.

Highlights indicates that it falls in multiple of the above categories.

Sunday
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
Note: On ABC, The Runner was supposed to start when ESPN Monday Night Football concludes, but it was cancelled due to production problems.

Tuesday
Note: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Roswell moved to UPN from The WB this season.

Wednesday
NOTE: When ABC announced their 2001 Fall Schedule, originally the plan was for The Job to air after The Drew Carey Show starting in mid-September and NYPD Blue would air in the 10pm ET timeslot after 20/20 Downtown returned to Friday nights in late December. However, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, ABC decided to not air The Job until 2002 because the show was set in New York City. In October, when the sitcom Bob Patterson was not doing well in the ratings on Tuesday nights, they moved the show to the Wednesday 9:30pm ET timeslot and put NYPD Blue in the Tuesday 9pm ET timeslot.

Friday
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.

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 *
 * Philly
 * Thieves
 * Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) *
 * Widows *

Not returning from 2000–01:
 * The Beast
 * Dot Comedy
 * The Geena Davis Show
 * Gideon's Crossing
 * Madigan Men
 * Making the Band (revived and moved to MTV in 2002)
 * The Norm Show
 * The Trouble With Normal
 * Two Guys and a Girl
 * You Don't Know Jack

CBS
Returning series
 * 48 Hours
 * 60 Minutes
 * 60 Minutes II
 * Becker
 * Big Brother
 * CBS Sunday Movie
 * CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
 * The District
 * Everybody Loves Raymond
 * Family Law
 * JAG
 * Judging Amy
 * The King of Queens
 * Survivor
 * That's Life
 * Touched by an Angel
 * Yes, Dear

New series
 * AFP: American Fighter Pilot *
 * The Amazing Race
 * The Agency
 * Baby Bob *
 * Citizen Baines
 * Danny
 * The Education of Max Bickford
 * The Ellen Show
 * First Monday *
 * The Guardian
 * Wolf Lake

Not returning from 2000–01:
 * Bette
 * Big Apple
 * Diagnosis: Murder
 * The Fugitive
 * Kate Brasher
 * Ladies Man
 * Nash Bridges
 * Some of My Best Friends
 * Walker, Texas Ranger
 * Welcome to New York

Fox
Returning series
 * Ally McBeal
 * America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back
 * Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
 * Boston Public
 * Cops
 * Dark Angel
 * Family Guy
 * Fox Thursday Night Movie
 * Futurama
 * Grounded for Life
 * Guinness World Records Primetime
 * King of the Hill
 * Malcolm in the Middle
 * That '70s Show
 * The Simpsons
 * Temptation Island
 * Titus
 * World's Wildest Police Videos
 * The X-Files

New series
 * 24
 * 30 Seconds to Fame *
 * The American Embassy *
 * American Idol *
 * Andy Richter Controls the Universe *
 * The Bernie Mac Show
 * The Chamber *
 * Greg the Bunny *
 * Love Cruise
 * Meet the Marks *
 * Pasadena
 * The Pulse *
 * That '80s Show *
 * The Tick
 * Undeclared

Not returning from 2000–01:
 * Boot Camp
 * FreakyLinks
 * The Lone Gunmen
 * Murder in Small Town X
 * Night Visions
 * Normal, Ohio
 * The Street

NBC
Returning series
 * Dateline NBC
 * Ed
 * ER
 * Fear Factor
 * Frasier
 * Friends
 * Just Shoot Me!
 * Law & Order
 * Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
 * Providence
 * Spy TV
 * Third Watch
 * Three Sisters
 * The Weakest Link
 * The West Wing
 * Will & Grace

New series
 * Crossing Jordan
 * Dog Eat Dog *
 * Emeril
 * Imagine That *
 * Inside Schwartz
 * Law & Order: Criminal Intent
 * Leap of Faith
 * Lost
 * Meet My Folks *
 * The Rerun Show *
 * Scrubs
 * UC: Undercover
 * Watching Ellie *

Not returning from 2000–01:
 * Cursed (renamed The Weber Show)
 * DAG
 * Daddio
 * Deadline
 * The Downer Channel
 * The Fighting Fitzgeralds
 * First Years
 * Go Fish
 * Kristin
 * The Michael Richards Show
 * 3rd Rock from the Sun
 * Titans
 * Tucker

UPN
Returning series
 * Buffy the Vampire Slayer (moved from The WB)
 * Girlfriends
 * The Hughleys
 * The Parkers
 * Roswell (moved from The WB)
 * Special Unit 2
 * UPN's Night at the Movies
 * WWE SmackDown!

New series
 * As If *
 * One on One
 * The Random Years *
 * Star Trek: Enterprise
 * Under One Roof *

Not returning from 2000–01:
 * All Souls
 * Chains of Love
 * Freedom
 * Gary and Mike
 * Level 9
 * Manhunt
 * Moesha
 * Seven Days
 * Star Trek: Voyager

The WB
Returning series
 * 7th Heaven
 * Angel
 * Charmed
 * Dawson’s Creek
 * Felicity
 * Flix From the Frog
 * For Your Love
 * Gilmore Girls
 * Nikki
 * Popstars USA
 * Ripley's Believe It or Not!
 * Sabrina the Teenage Witch
 * The Steve Harvey Show

New series
 * Elimidate Deluxe
 * Glory Days *
 * The Jamie Kennedy Experiment *
 * Maybe It's Me
 * Men, Women & Dogs
 * My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star *
 * Off Centre
 * Raising Dad
 * Reba
 * Smallville

Not returning from 2000–01:
 * Buffy the Vampire Slayer (moved to UPN)
 * Grosse Pointe
 * Hype
 * Jack & Jill
 * The Jamie Foxx Show
 * The Oblongs
 * The PJs
 * Popular
 * Roswell (moved to UPN)

Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason.

ABC

 * According to Jim—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Alias—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * The Drew Carey Show—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * George Lopez—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * My Wife and Kids—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * NYPD Blue—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * The Practice—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.

CBS

 * The Agency—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Baby Bob—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Becker—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * CSI: Crime Scene Investigation—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * The District—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Everybody Loves Raymond—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * The Guardian—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * JAG—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Judging Amy—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * The King of Queens—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Touched by an Angel—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Yes, Dear—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.

Fox

 * 24—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Andy Richter Controls the Universe—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * The Bernie Mac Show—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Boston Public—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Futurama—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * King of the Hill—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Malcolm in the Middle—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * The Simpsons—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * That '70s Show—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.

NBC

 * Crossing Jordan—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Ed—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * ER—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Frasier—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Friends—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Just Shoot Me!—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Law & Order—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Law & Order: Criminal Intent—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Law & Order: Special Victims Unit—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Providence—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Scrubs—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Third Watch—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Watching Ellie—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * The West Wing—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Will & Grace—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.

UPN

 * Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Girlfriends—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * One on One—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * The Parkers—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Star Trek: Enterprise—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.

The WB

 * 7th Heaven—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Angel—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Charmed—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Dawson’s Creek—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Gilmore Girls—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Off Centre—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Reba—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Sabrina the Teenage Witch—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.
 * Smallville—Renewed for the 2002–2003 season.

ABC

 * Bob Patterson—Canceled after one season, due to the September 11, 2001 attacks.
 * The Court—Canceled after one season.
 * Dharma & Greg—Ended after five seasons.
 * The Job—Canceled after two seasons.
 * Once and Again—Ended after three seasons.
 * Philly—Canceled after one season.
 * Spin City—Ended after six seasons.
 * Thieves—Canceled after one season.
 * Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)—Canceled after one season.
 * What About Joan?—Canceled after two seasons, due to the September 11, 2001 attacks.

CBS

 * Citizen Baines—Canceled after one season.
 * Danny—Canceled after one season.
 * The Education of Max Bickford—Canceled after one season.
 * The Ellen Show—Canceled after one season.
 * Family Law—Ended after three seasons.
 * First Monday—Canceled after one season.
 * That's Life—Canceled after two seasons.
 * Wolf Lake—Canceled by CBS after 5 episodes. The final 4 episodes aired from April 10, 2002 until May 1, 2002 on UPN.

Fox

 * Ally McBeal—Ended after five seasons.
 * The American Embassy—Canceled after one season.
 * Dark Angel—Canceled after two seasons.
 * Family Guy—Returned for the 2004-2005 season.
 * Grounded for Life—Moved to The WB on February 28, 2003.
 * Pasadena—Canceled after one season.
 * That '80s Show—Canceled after one season.
 * The Tick—Canceled after one season.
 * Titus—Canceled after three seasons.
 * Undeclared—Canceled after one season.
 * The X-Files—Returned for the 2015-2016 season.

NBC

 * Emeril—Canceled after one season.
 * Imagine That—Canceled after one season.
 * Inside Schwartz—Canceled after one season.
 * Leap of Faith—Canceled after one season.
 * Three Sisters—Canceled after two seasons.
 * UC: Undercover—Canceled after one season.
 * The Weakest Link—Returned for the 2020-2021 season.

UPN

 * As If—Canceled after one season.
 * The Hughleys—Ended after four seasons.
 * The Random Years—Canceled after one season.
 * Roswell—Ended after three seasons.

The WB

 * Felicity—Ended after four seasons.
 * For Your Love—Ended after five seasons.
 * Glory Days—Canceled after one season.
 * Maybe It's Me—Canceled after one season.
 * Men, Women & Dogs—Canceled after one season.
 * My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star—Canceled after one season.
 * Nikki—Canceled after two seasons.
 * Raising Dad—Canceled after one season.
 * The Steve Harvey Show—Ended after six seasons.