NBC applying "Lipstick" in "ER" space

Stars of the NBC show ''Lipstick Jungle'', Brooke Shields (L), Lindsay Price (C) and Kim Raver, arrive to attend the NBC Network upfronts in New York May 14, 2007.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In a strike-related scheduling move, NBC will launch midseason comedy-drama "Lipstick Jungle" in "ER's" Thursday 10 p.m. slot.

"Lipstick," starring Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsay Price as a trio of successful New York women, will premiere February 7, after "ER" runs out of the original episodes stockpiled before the writers' strike.

"Lipstick," based on Candace Bushnell's best-seller, is the first series to air in "ER's" time slot since the medical drama's launch in 1994.

The scheduling decision was influenced by the strike, but NBC has been mulling splitting the Thursday 10 p.m. time period with another show to avoid "ER" repeats, which -- as is the case with most serialized dramas -- have not performed well. Last year, the network planned to launch midseason drama "The Black Donnellys" in the time slot in January 2007, but scrapped the plan when "ER" came out the gate strong.

So far, Fox is the only network to announce a comprehensive contingency midseason schedule in case the writers' strike continues into next year.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter