By Umnata
My coverage of the "upfronts" in New York—the television networks' annual presentation of their fall schedules to foaming-at-the-mouth advertisers and media outlets—continues with a look at ABC's fall schedule.
In probably the biggest shakeup of the season, ABC has made plans to move Sunday night juggernaut Grey's Anatomy (which has now surpassed Desperate Housewives as the network's number one show) to Thursdays at 9PM. The shakeup is necessary for ABC, though. After an out-of-nowhere 2004 season that launched Desperate Housewives, Lost, and Grey's Anatomy as monster hits, none of ABC's shows from last season are making it back for sophomore seasons (except What About Brian, which was one of the biggest surprise renewals this year, and I think had more to do with appeasing executive producer J. J. Abrams than anything else). It doesn't help that ABC is still smarting from the colossal flameout of Commander in Chief (this is what happens when you hire Geena Davis, people), which was poised to be the "next great drama," with huge ratings and positive reviews last fall, until it crashed and burned under the weight of its own pedigree.
So ABC is casting a wider net this season to see what they catch with the ten (!!!) new shows slated for the fall. Betting on so many new shows mean a lot of old ones had to be let go, which in most cases on ABC's schedule was not a bad thing. Of the cancelled shows, only Invasion (finally, picking up steam after a lackluster half season) and midseason comedy Sons & Daughters (a worthy successor to the Arrested Development dysfunctional family throne) were worth saving. Other shows like Hope & Faith, Freddie (I admit a guilty pleasure of mine, but certainly not changing the face of television as we know it—although Brian Austin Green's comedic talents must be put on display elsewhere), and In Justice, had either passed their prime or had a failure to launch. So ABC is spreading the wealth and hoping that the relocation of a big hit like Grey's will serve as a launching pad for some new series. Here's what the schedule looks like:
Sunday
I have to laugh because America's Funniest Home Videos starts the night off at 7PM, and I am completely shocked to find out this show is still on television. Seriously. Not only did I think it was off the air, I was pretty sure it had been cancelled for a decade. Whoops. ABC is keeping the feel good vibe at the front of the evening with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition at 8PM. This opinion doesn't make me very popular, but I hate this show. I mean Ty Pennington. Really? Isn't he like Billy Bush's long-lost, even more annoying brother? And Paul!?!? He and Daddy McPhee could have a manly cry-off to see who the burliest crier on national television is. That being said, I think the purpose of the show, rebuilding houses for families in need, is a good one. It's nice to help people who are so obviously down and out. But sometimes I feel like they pick the most extreme cases. Like they find a family with no arms and no legs and they build them a house that has arms and legs or something. Why not just a single mother of three whose husband DIDN'T die of ebola or whatever, who just kind of needs a break? I'm sure they do things like that every once in a while, but ehh... Regardless, at 9PM, Desperate Housewives will stay where it is, since the network doesn't think the show is strong enough to sustain a big move to a different night. Umm, you think? If you have any question of whether or not that is true, PLEASE read my last two DH recaps. Credit does need to be given where it is due, and while the ladies of Wisteria Lane have certainly tumbled (okay, crashed) this season, they ended on a high note, and the show still pulls in more than 20 million viewers a week. ABC is hoping the post-DH timeslot is still a viable launch pad for a new show.
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Comments (9)
"The show revolves around a well-to-do family and the secrets that start bubbling to the surface during a family party that will change their lives forever"
OK, thats it. NO MORE shows that copy the 24 model. I am not going to watch 22 episodes of a show where the whole thing is one freaking dinner party. 24 strains credulity as it is but things blow up, so I'm cool with it.
1 of 9 | Posted by EdHill
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Posted on May 29, 2006 7:00 PM
Am I the only one who isn't a fan of Calista? I'll try the sho but only because there is nothing better on. I CAN NOT believe that ABC didn't renew Invasion but renewed What About Brian. A real Shame. Oh the Politics!!!!!!!!!
2 of 9 | Posted by mistichristi
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Posted on May 30, 2006 4:57 AM
I actually loved What about Brian. There weren't very many shows so it is hard to judge as a regular series, but the cast was fantastic and the final scene was heart-wrenching. And JJ ABrams can write some romantic drama. Whispering aside, Felicity was awesome!
3 of 9 | Posted by dent
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Posted on May 30, 2006 5:17 AM
I agree, Six Degrees looks very intriguing, and the fact that there are a couple of "hot" cast members will certainly help it's appeal (hello Jay Hernandez). I'm not sorry to see Freddie go-- it's as though I wanted to like it, but just couldn't get into it. Also, kind of embarrassed to say that I'm looking forward to the Ted Danson show...
And Dent, I'm with you on Felicity. So many guys are quick to say that it's an awful show, but seriously, solid show and great cast! I'm very biased though because the show's college timeline followed mine exactly so it was easy to relate.
G.C.- I laughed at the Dean Hess reference...creepy is right!
4 of 9 | Posted by TVCheese
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Posted on May 30, 2006 7:26 AM
The Felicity reference was funny. I luuuurved that show! but I, too couldn't figure out why they were always whispering.
5 of 9 | Posted by babeblue
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Posted on May 30, 2006 7:39 AM
just wanted to clear up the plotline to Brothers & Sisters, as my description might have been a little confusing. Here is the link to ABC's description of the show:
http://abc.go.com/primetime/schedule/2006-07/brothersandsisters.html
6 of 9 | Posted by umnata
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Posted on May 30, 2006 9:03 AM
While reading this I realized that the only thing I watch on ABC is Lost. Huh, I wonder when that happened? Thinking back I can't remember the last time I regularly watched anything on ABC.
I agree about Ty Pennington- that man is too annoying for real life, let alone TV.
And while I'm sure the families appreciate the lavish houses they get, how about spending the money more wisely and just buiding decent, nice homes for a larger number of deserving people? Oh, and how about not exploiting people by putting it on TV? I know, I know, asking for way too much humanity from TV producers. Should be ashamed of myself.
7 of 9 | Posted by zevonia
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Posted on May 30, 2006 11:14 AM
TVCheese,
I thought that was what it took too. Felicity was a year behind me in college. But I tried to make my husband watch the reruns on WE. He always said he hated it and then one day he said "so who does she end up with Ben or Noel?" and I realized that anybody could get hooked!
8 of 9 | Posted by dent
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Posted on May 30, 2006 11:44 AM
I'm really glad about the Grey's move. It was destroying my weekly resolution to get to bed early on a sunday night. You can stay up as late as you want on a thursday and just let the joy of friday carry you even though you're running on fumes. Yes I have a DVR. I just like to watch Grey's and Lost in real time.
9 of 9 | Posted by Leah3t
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Posted on May 30, 2006 8:40 PM