ABC bets on 'Mars'

Network also picks up Kutcher's 'Opportunity'
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

ABC's betting there's "Life on Mars."

The quirky sci-fi thriller, based on the hit BBC series of the same name, is expected to be one of the few new series to make it on the Alphabet's fall sked.

Also new on the docket: The Ashton Kutcher-produced reality skein "Opportunity Knocks," which has scored a 13-episode order from the Alphabet net.

"Opportunity Knocks" comes from Katalyst and 3 Ball Prods. Show, hosted by JD Roth, revolves around contestants who wind up answering trivia questions for prizes at their own home.

ABC also already gave a 13-episode commitment to the animated series "The Goode Family," which will be ready for air in January.

Show, from Mike Judge, John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, revolves around a family with good intentions -- but not-so-good execution in those intentions. MRC is behind the show.

By Sunday, 20th Century Fox TV was shopping animated contender "The Pitts" as a potential companion piece to "Goode Family," but there was no indication that such a pact would transpire.

Meanwhile, among bubble shows, "Eli Stone" appeared destined to be this year's "October Road" -- the midseason entry that didn't make a splash in the ratings, but had enough buzz and supporters inside the net to score a second season.

Also in the hunt for a renewal: The single-cam entry "Miss/Guided," starring critical fave Judy Greer. Show could make a strong companion to either "Samantha Who?" or "Scrubs," two more single-cam entries.

That's right -- "Scrubs." ABC still won't confirm that the long-running medical comedy is making its way to the Alphabet, but the move from NBC reps one of the worst-kept secrets in town.

As for "Life on Mars," late Sunday a deal for the show hadn't yet been confirmed -- but now that "Boston Legal" has been given a primetime reprieve, it's believed a "Mars" pickup is close behind.

That's because "Legal" creator David E. Kelley also owned the rights to the U.S. adaptation of "Mars." Kelley was looking to depart the project, while ABC was looking to continue it sans Kelley.

Hence, a weekend-long dance that finally appeared resolved by Sunday. "Legal" was back for a fifth season, while "Mars" is expected to continue as a 20th Century Fox TV/ABC Studios co-production. "October Road" exec producers Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg are in line to take over as showrunners.

On the scheduling front, ABC is still believed to be sticking mostly with stability.

Sundays and Thursdays seem pretty set, for starters. (Perhaps "Life on Mars" holds the Thursday 10 p.m. slot until "Lost" returns?)

Monday, net will probably stick with "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Bachelor," with one or two comedies in between.

On Tuesdays, ABC could conceivably open with comedies ("Scrubs," anyone?), leading into the "Dancing" recap show and "Boston Legal."

Wednesdays appear pretty set, with frosh entries "Pushing Daisies," "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money" all returning.

Then there's Friday, which could be wide open. "Eli Stone" could wind up here, as could reality shows. "20/20" will undoubtedly return at 10 p.m.

ABC is expected to start officially picking up series on Monday morning. Network announces its fall sked at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall on Tuesday afternoon.


Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985482.html

Mondays at 10 pm, please

While I'm all for stability, they need to be utilizing the post-Housewives slot for either a returning frosh series (ES, DSM) or the new Mars. I also think ES could just as well return Monday at 10 too with the Bachelor holding off til midseason. On Fridays, go with Jim and Scubs burnoff, leading into something cheap or Primetime and then 20/20. Have two new comedies air on Tuesdays and give them the Dancing lead in. Dancing could also back down to an hour on Mondays for another new comedy or perhaps the returning Miss/Guided there.

quote:

Originally posted by mushu_jj:
While I'm all for stability, they need to be utilizing the post-Housewives slot for either a returning frosh series (ES, DSM) or the new Mars. I also think ES could just as well return Monday at 10 too with the Bachelor holding off til midseason. On Fridays, go with Jim and Scubs burnoff, leading into something cheap or Primetime and then 20/20. Have two new comedies air on Tuesdays and give them the Dancing lead in. Dancing could also back down to an hour on Mondays for another new comedy or perhaps the returning Miss/Guided there.

Keeping the Bachelor in play on Monday's limits ABC's abilities to introduce or move shows around. The Bachelor should not be on the main sked. If ABC can still make money from the show, then ship it to summer only.

I think B&S should move to Wednesday's, DSM to Sunday's to help build it's audience and either Life on Mars or Eli Stone going to Monday or Thursday. And finally, DWTS Results should move to 8pm. But as I said, if The Bachelor is still slotted for the fall sked, any positive changes will be restricted.

I think a better option for ABC would be to hold off on the Bachelor and perhaps if they need to, go with Wife Swap or Supernanny for Fridays at 9 after Jim and Scrubs.

The problem with the Bachelor is because this season sucks.

Remember last season when a recap of the Bachelor beat SVU?

quote:

ABC moved into the 10 p.m. winner’s circle care The Bachelor: After the Final Rose, with 12.76 million viewers and a 4.2/11 among adults 18-49. What is the deal with these women on The Bachelor who cry that their hearts were broken? Do they really know this guy? A close second was NBC’s veteran Law & Order: SVU (Viewers: 11.66 million; A18-49: 3.9/11), which is down by double-digits year-to-year

'October Road' actor joins 'Life on Mars'
Jonathan Murphy to play detective in new ABC drama
By Nellie Andreeva

July 16, 2008, 01:39 AM ET


It will be an "October Road" reunion on ABC's midseason drama "Life on Mars."

The new creative stewards of "Life on Mars," "October Road" creators Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg, have recruited former "October Road" co-star Jonathan Murphy for their new series.

Based on the British series, "Life on Mars," centers on a modern-day police detective (Jason O'Mara), who, after a car crash, finds himself mysteriously transported back to 1973 and still working as a detective.

Murphy will play Detective Chris Skelton, a jittery young detective who is new to the department.

On fan favorite "October Road," which was canceled in May after two seasons, Murphy played Ronnie.



Links referenced within this article


Find this article at:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/tel...201ea3c8d0cf7d7425bd

Thanks for sharing! Love OR's Ronnie, he was so underrated on OR. Glad to see he is working after OR's premature cancellation.

http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/07/life-on-mars-my.html

JULY 16, 2008
'Life on Mars' mythology different in U.S. version

TCA -- Producers for ABC's "Life on Mars" said their biggest contribution to the show since the departure of executive producer David E. Kelley is moving the show's setting from Los Angeles to New York City.

“There’s that early 1970s cop genre ... we’re trying to recapture that spirit,” says executive producer Josh Appelbaum.

The critics keep asking about differences between the show and the BBC version. The most interesting bit is that the show’s overall mythology will be different. In the BBC version, the protagonist asks, "Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time?”

“There’s many more options than that,” Appelbaum says. “The good news is -- and I know people say this -- but we know exactly where this is going. We worked on ‘Alias’ we know the pitfalls of telling these extended mythological stories.”

One critic noted that the show’s time and date also set the series right at the opening of the World Trade Center. Appelbaum was vague about any plans to reference the location in the show.

“It’s certainly something we’re cognizant of and we’re paying attention to it,” he says.