ABC will launch this fall with perhaps the most stable schedule of any network in years. As expected, Alphabet web revealed a fall 2008 lineup that looks a lot like its fall 2007 sked – and that’s by design.
Just two new series made it on the sked: A revised U.S. adaptation of hit BBC thriller “Life on Mars,” and Ashton Kutcher-produced reality skein “Opportunity Knocks.”
"We're returning our dominant core group of shows from last fall," McPherson said. "The few openings we had we've filled with the kind of quality programming viewers have come to expect from ABC, and we have a very strong bench."
Also new to ABC, as expected: "Scrubs," which bows on the Alphabet on Tuesdays at 9 pm in the winter, while the "Dancing with the Stars" results show is on hiatus. "Scrubs" will be paired with new animated half-hour "The Goode Family," from Mike Judge, John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky.
Also in midseason: The untitled Tyra Banks/Ashton Kutcher show, which will air Mondays at 8 during the "Dancing" break.
ABC went into the upfronts with most of its major freshman entries renewed for next year. What’s more, many of the Alphabet net’s pilots have yet to be shot – and ABC Entertainment prexy Steve McPherson made it clear that he wouldn’t schedule any new shows without first seeing some tape.
ABC’s decision to stick with a mostly stable sked is also recognition that the net was performing well in the fall – until the writers strike, and of course “American Idol,” halted that momentum.
Here’s how ABC’s fall sked stacks up:
ABC primetime schedule for 2008-2009 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00
Mon. Dancing with the Stars / untitled Tyra Banks, Ashton Kutcher reality show (midseason) Samantha Who? Boston Legal / The Bachelor
Tue. Opportunity Knocks Dancing with the Stars (results show)/ Scrubs and The Goode Family (midseason) Eli Stone
Wed. Pushing Daisies Private Practice Dirty Sexy Money
Thur. Ugly Betty Grey’s Anatomy Life on Mars
Fri. Wife Swap Supernanny 20/20
Sat. Saturday Night College Football
Sun. America’s Funniest Home Videos Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Desperate Housewives Brothers & Sisters
Bold denotes new show Footbal overrun
That means Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday are mostly the same as last season. In the plum post- “Grey’s Anatomy” slot, the twisty time-travel storyline on “Mars” seems even more natural given the show it will temporarily replace: The twisty time-travel adventures of “Lost,” which is back in midseason.
Other returning series include "According to Jim" and ABC News' "Primetime: What Would You Do?"
Network announces its fall sked to advertisers at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall on Tuesday afternoon.
I still think ABC would have been stronger if they swap Brothers & Sisters with Dirty Sexy Money. But at least, for now, The Bachelor is off the sked and who knows, if Boston Legal can do well, ABC might order a back nine and keep The Bachelor off the sked completely. According to Jim is basically Idol bait.
I'm all for stability, but these are too few changes. That Wednesday lineup I'm assuming will receive massive promotion this summer- it just has too. Also, wouldn't eliminating repeats of shows that repeat poorly on Wednesdays with Lost make more sense? At least in season repeats of Greys on Thursday seem to do alright and Life on Mars seems at least remotely procedural but who knows.
Here is my analysis. I am not impressed...ABC's schedule is way too passive.
ABC in 2008-09: Two New Fall Series; Changes on Only Four Evenings
Citing stability in this strike infected season (despite, in fact, ongoing double-digit rating losses, according to Nielsen Media Research data), ABC in fall 2008 could be considered the most passive prime-time schedule the network has ever offered. ABC will introduce only two new series next fall (Thursday 10 p.m. drama Life on Mars and non-scripted Opportunity Knocks, which opens Tuesday), while re-launching Pushing Daisies, Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money and relying heavily on the strength of scripted returnees like Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty, Samantha Who? and Boston Legal.
Veteran Wife Swap and Supernanny will move to Fridays from 8-10 p.m., Boston Legal heads to Mondays at 10 p.m. out of Samantha Who?, and sophomore Eli Stone will air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. out of the live Dancing With the Stars results show. Three of the nights from last fall -- Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday -- are unchanged.
ABC will feature two additional sitcoms in midseason -- former NBC occupant Scrubs and The Goode Family, an animated series from King of the Hill creator Mike Judge. And the comedy that will just not die, According to Jim, will also return. But only one half-hour sitcom, returning Samantha Who?, will be present on the fall schedule, which is the least number of comedies on a fall ABC line-up in over 50 years.
Also on the midseason front is an untitled non-scripted project from Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher; and new seasons of The Bachelor, Lost and ABC News’ Primetime: What Would You Do? And there are several other unnamed series concepts considered contenders for the 2008-09 season. ABC series not returning next season include sitcoms Cavemen, Carpoolers, Miss-Guided and Notes From the Underbelly; dramas Men In Trees, October Road, Big Shots, Cashmere Mafia and Women’s Murder Club; and the non-scripted Just For Laughs and Oprah’s Big Give.
Here is ABC’s fall 2008 primetime schedule with the two new shows in caps, followed by the new program descriptions:
Monday 8:00 p.m. Dancing With the Stars 9:30 p.m. Samantha Who? 10:00 p.m. Boston Legal (new day)
Tuesday 8:00 p.m. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS 9:00 p.m. Dancing With the Stars Results Show 10:00 p.m. Eli Stone (new day)
The Goode Family (midseason) From King of the Hill creator Mike Judge, this new animated sitcom focuses on a flawed family obsessed with doing the right thing. The voices include Mike Judge, Nancy Carell, Abby Elliot and Dave Herman.
----------
Dramas
Life on Mars After being knocked unconscious when his girlfriend is kidnapped by a serial killer, a 21st century detective wakes up in 1973 and looks for clues to solve the crime and get back home. Lenny Clarke, Rachel Lefevre, Colm Meaney and Jason O’Mara star. David E. Kelley (Boston Legal) is the executive producer.
----------
Non-Scripted
Opportunity Knocks Contestants compete to win a gamut of prizes literally from their own home when a mobile team arrives at “Anywhere, America” in a semi-truck full of flat screen TVs, new furniture and cash prizes that the family can win right there. J.D. Roth hosts; Ashton Kutcher is one of the executive producers.
Untitled Ashton Kutcher/Tyra Banks Project (midseason) The concept is described as “a beauty pageant unlike any you have ever seen.”
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Marc Berman,
Chat live with me in P.I. Feedback's TV Talk chat room on Friday, September 12 @ 12 Noon eastern time to discuss all things television, especially Big Brother 10 (CBS)(episode when it goes from Final 3 to Final 2 airs on Sept. 11) and the series premiere of Hole In The Wall (FOX). Hope you all can join us!
Originally posted by Marc Berman: Here is my analysis. I am not impressed...ABC's schedule is way too passive.
The worst part Marc is that there are no new comedies in the fall and that they didn't even consider doing something like swapping timeslots for Dirty Sexy Money and Brothers and Sisters. I also don't think Life on Mars is the best option for post-Greys but its ABC. The whole lineup will be shuffled come January and Tuesdays will be back in the cellar. The one good thing: the Friday lineup, which should see noticeable demo gains year to year.
Originally posted by Patrick: Marc, you do mean Eli Stone at 10pm Tuesday, right?
Chat live with me in P.I. Feedback's TV Talk chat room on Friday, September 12 @ 12 Noon eastern time to discuss all things television, especially Big Brother 10 (CBS)(episode when it goes from Final 3 to Final 2 airs on Sept. 11) and the series premiere of Hole In The Wall (FOX). Hope you all can join us!
Originally posted by College Basketball Fan: Will The Bachelor take Boston Legal's spot between Dancing seasons, with Boston Legal returning once Dancing does in the spring?
ABC only ordered 13 episodes of BL. Hopefully it does well enought that they will pickup the back nine.
