Dollhouse

Midseason series, schedule shifts create new battlegrounds

Battleground: Fridays at 9 p.m.: CBS’ "Flashpoint" vs. Fox’s "Dollhouse"

Analysis: Like comparing a Buick to a funnel cake. Here’s CBS’ modestly rated, yet seemingly nuclear-blast-proof Canadian import competing with Fox’s fallen midseason angel. After trying "Moonlight" and "The Ex List" in this slot, Friday leader CBS hopes "Flashpoint" can finally fill this ratings pothole. With its other weekday slots occupied by more promising titles, Fox placed the softening sci-fi drama "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and creatively overhauled freshman series "Dollhouse" onto the Friday wall in hopes they might stick.

Likely winner: In the short term, curiosity tune-in will probably push "Dollhouse" to top the adult demo, despite having a weaker lead-in. But "Flashpoint" is almost certain to win among total viewers and will probably dominate in the demo as the season progresses.