ABC Upfront: Fall 2007

[Pavan]

Here is our preview:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/20...pfront_08.html

Thread will open late Monday night when leaked schedules come! Actual official schedule will be posted Tuesday at around 9am ET!

Pick-ups as of Friday:
Comedies: Fall - The Middle, Sam I Am and Miss/Guided. Mid-season - Cavemen
Dramas: Fall - Football Wives, Dirty Sexy Money, Private Practice, Marlowe, Pushing Daisies, Perfect Gentlemen. Mid-season - Eli Stone, Cashmere Mafia

EDIT: Late word on Friday has Football Wives possibly for mid-season now with Marlowe being totally not picked-up...expense is the reason for both. As for comedies, it looks like The Middle and Miss/Guided will not be picked-up and instead ABC will go with Carpoolers for mid-season, joining Cavemen. Taking Middle & MissGuided's spot in the fall will be Women's Murder Club now.

[Pavan]

Not a schedule post, but ABC.com will be going HD this summer with an online HD channel!

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, DISNEY-ABC TELEVISION GROUP TO MAKE HD CONTENT

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT ABC.COM



Beta Version of HD Channel to Launch on

ABC.com's Ad-Supported, Full-Episode Broadband Player This Summer





Dedicated to expanding its network and channel brands across multiple platforms and connecting viewers with their favorite shows anytime and anywhere, Disney-ABC Television Group announced today that it will begin to stream content in true high definition resolution this summer on its Emmy Award-winning ABC.com broadband video.



"We are excited to be the first in the industry to stream HD video available on the web, providing ABC.com users with an unprecedented online viewing experience," said Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks, and president, Disney-ABC Television Group. "By continuing to listen to our audience and enhancing our digital offerings with the best technology available, we further strengthen their relationship to our brands.”



Launching as a beta test in early July, the full-episode broadband player's HD channel will feature a limited amount of content in true high-definition 1280 X 720 resolution from such series as "Lost," "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Ugly Betty." In conjunction with the launch of the new season in September, a more robust HD programming line-up will be offered.



"This is all about innovating and creating 'what's next' to give consumers with best experience as they watch our content, regardless of viewing platform," said Albert Cheng, executive vice president, digital media, Disney-ABC Television Group. "With the advancements in display devices and the prevalence of hardware with the processing capabilities to handle this technology, offering true HD content online is a natural."



Additionally this fall, the ABC.com’s full episode player will be expanded further to included national news and local content, in addition to primetime entertainment programming. This new player will be geo-targeted, offering the ability for local ads and content to be more relevant to each individual user.



ABC.com’s broadband player currently offers full-length episodes in high quality, standard definition resolution of over a dozen series including “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Ugly Betty,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Notes from the Underbelly,” “Dancing with the Stars,” and “According to Jim” free to consumers on ABC’s website the day after their broadcast premieres.



In April, the full-episode player began offering full-screen viewing as well as small “mini” screen that users can position wherever they choose on their desktops, in addition to the two original standard viewing size viewing options. To date, ABC affiliates covering 80% of the country, including all major affiliate groups as well as the ten ABC owned stations, have launched or have committed to launching the player on their own websites and are taking advantage of the opportunity to incorporate local advertising into the programming.



Disney-ABC Television Group is home to all of The Walt Disney Company’s worldwide entertainment and news television properties. The Group includes the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel’s worldwide portfolio of kids’ channels, ABC Family and SOAPnet; as well as television production and syndication divisions ABC Studios, Walt Disney Television Animation, Buena Vista Worldwide Television and Walt Disney Television International. Disney-ABC Television Group also manages the Radio Disney Network in addition to the Company’s equity interest in Lifetime Entertainment Services and A&E Television Networks.

[Pavan]

Here is a rough leaked schedule...

Sundays
7:00PM AFV
8:00PM Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9:00PM Desperate Housewives
10:00PM Brothers & Sisters

Mondays
8:00PM Dancing with the Stars
9:30PM Sam I Am
10:00PM Big Shots (AKA: Perfect Gentlemen)

Tuesdays
8:00PM Dancing with the Stars: The Results
9:00PM Dirty Sexy Money
10:00PM Boston Legal

Wednesdays
8:00PM October Road
9:00PM Private Practice
10:00PM Pushing Daisies

Thursdays
8:00PM Ugly Betty
9:00PM Grey's Anatomy
10:00PM Cashmere Mafia

Fridays
8:00PM Men in Trees
9:00PM Women's Murder Club
10:00PM 20/20

Saturdays
8:00PM College Football

Mid-season: The Bachelor, Wife Swap, Supernanny, National Bingo Night (if it hits), Oprah's Big Give, Eli Stone for Boston Legal, Lost for October Road, Cavemen, Carpoolers, Miss/Guided, Notes from the Underbelly, and possibly The Middle & According to Jim.


We might have another leaked schedule, if any changes, later tonight. Official schedule around 9am ET tomorrow!

[dawsongirl]

They still have that cavemen show on their table? lol

[Pavan]

ABC will announce this at upfront tomorrow:

Disney-ABC Television Group and Sprint AnnOunce

Unprecedented MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT TO OFFER

ENTERTAINMENT, KIDS AND NEWS PROGRAMMING



Sprint Is First Mobile Carrier to Offer On-demand, Full-length Episodes of Hit Series from ABC Entertainment, including "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy," "Lost" and "Ugly Betty,” Beginning with this Week’s Season Finales



Sprint Is Also First Carrier to Provide Disney Channel Content

and Debut ABC Mobile, as Two of Its Three New Channels

with Continuous Linear Programming



BURBANK, Calif. and OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – May 15, 2007 – The Disney-ABC Television Group and Sprint announced today that Sprint customers can now access a comprehensive portfolio of news and entertainment video programming from ABC Entertainment, ABC News and Disney Channel on demand and via three continuous linear mobile channels. Images of the new content on Sprint phones can be seen at www.sprint.com/presskits or www.abcmedianet.com.



The following content is now available for the first time ever on mobile:



· On-demand, full-length episodes of ABC programs, including the hit shows “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey's Anatomy,” “Lost” and “Ugly Betty”



· A linear channel with content from Disney Channel, the top-rated kids network



Sprint is also the first carrier to provide ABC Mobile, a newly-created linear mobile channel. ABC Mobile features a variety of popular full-length and short-form news and entertainment content, including full-length episodes of “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey's Anatomy,” “Lost” and “Ugly Betty” as well as ABC News' “Good Morning America,” “World News with Charles Gibson,” “Nightline,” “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” and other ABC News Specials. Short-form promotional content from ABC Primetime, ABC Daytime and ABC News is also featured.



Additionally, Sprint now offers:



· On-demand, full-length ABC News programs including “World News with Charles Gibson” and “Nightline“ as well as a variety of ABC News Specials

· On-demand, full-length episodes of popular Disney Channel programs, including the hit live-action series “Hannah Montana,“ “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” and “Cory in the House” as well as the animated series “Kim Possible”

· ABC News Now, a 24/7 linear channel that provides live breaking news coverage and a wide range of original news, lifestyle and entertainment shows



“We are excited to team with Sprint to build out our first-ever, multi-brand wireless offering, utilizing content throughout our Group to bring an extensive, comprehensive array of world-class programming to the mobile marketplace,” said Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney-ABC Television Group. “We continue to be focused on finding new ways to connect viewers to the content they want and brands they love on the platforms they choose. This deal not only provides new viewing opportunities for consumers, but also gives advertisers another platform to reach viewers and associate with our powerful network brands.”



“Through our partnership with Disney-ABC Television Group, Sprint is offering yet another first in the industry and continuing our leadership not only in mobile video services but in wireless data applications as a whole. Customers can now conveniently access their favorite ABC and Disney shows no matter where they are within Sprint’s nationwide wireless broadband network,” said Oliver Valente, senior vice president, product management and development, Sprint. “Customers can watch programs at the airport while waiting for their flight, at the office during lunch and in the thousands of other scenarios where people have some down time and want a news or entertainment break. Disney Channel programming is also great to keep the kids occupied in the car and in many other locations.”



Video-on-demand shows will be available the day after their television premiere. In general, customers will be able to access the four most recently televised episodes of each series. Beginning this fall, selected entertainment and news on-demand content and linear programming will include advertising in order to provide customers with the most variety of content at the least cost to them.



The content from Disney-ABC Television Group is available via Sprint TV on Sprint’s multiple Power Vision devices, and it will be included in the Sprint Power Vision TV Pack, which costs an additional $20 per month. The Sprint Power Vision TV Pack also provides more than 20 other channels of content as well as exclusive entertainment and sports video from Sprint Power View. The Pack also includes unlimited use of several other non-video applications such as web browsing, Picture Mail and mobile email (casual usage charges would apply for access to these applications without a data plan). For more information, visit www.sprint.com/digitallounge or a Sprint retail store.



About Sprint Video

Sprint has a strong history of providing wireless data services that are innovative and unique, and Sprint’s video offerings are a distinct example of this leadership. Sprint offers more than 50 video and audio channels of live and on-demand programming. Sprint has consistently led mobile video since becoming the first carrier in the United States to launch any type of multimedia experience on mobile phones in 2003, beginning with 1KTV’s video slides and audio. Additionally, Sprint was the first U.S. mobile carrier to:

· Receive an Emmy(R) Award (Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development from The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences),

· Offer live television programming on mobile phones (MobiTV),

· Produce its own network of exclusive music, entertainment and sports programs (Sprint Power View),

· Broadcast a live concert directly on mobile phones (Bon Jovi),

· Offer full-length movies on mobile phones (mSpot Movies, Sprint Movies),

· Deliver a continuous streaming audio and video product up to 15 frames per second

· Offer a Spanish-language live TV service (Sprint TV En Vivo)

[Justafan65]

Interesting how most of the sitcoms are slated for mid-season. Maybe ABC will come to their senses before then and decide not to do Cavemen!

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by Justafan65

Interesting how most of the sitcoms are slated for mid-season. Maybe ABC will come to their senses before then and decide not to do Cavemen!

I am morbidly curious to see how bad it is.

[Pavan]

We could have a little scoop tomorrow. Come to the blog sometime between 8-9am for the ABC fall line-up. I'm crossing my fingers that I can release it first. If it is anything like the rough schedule, that is sure going to be a strong ABC fall. I just hope Football Wives can be picked-up like October Road was with that option to pick-up before December.

[Zedman2]

I hope they can work things out and keep Football Wives alive. I think it could become the next big show on ABC.

[troopoleon8897]

Im hoping for football wives too, but i think, its too hyped... Id rather see Marlowe get the pick up...

[Pavan]

Here it is our scoop on ABC Fall...you'll see it here ONLY first. Just added 13 minutes ago to the blog:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/20...-schedule.html






Press Release:

ABC UNVEILS 2007-08 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE





Seven New Dramas, Four New Comedies and One New Alternative Series

Will Join a Slate of Returning Shows



New Series Include “Big Shots,” “Carpoolers,” “Cashmere Mafia,” “Cavemen,”

“Dirty Sexy Money,” “Eli Stone,” “Miss/Guided,” “Private Practice,”

“Pushing Daisies,” “Sam I Am” and “Women’s Murder Club”



New Alternative Series “Oprah’s Big Give™” Slated to Debut



Returning Series Include Previously Announced “Brothers & Sisters,” “MEN IN TREES,”

“Ugly Betty,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Boston Legal,”

“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,”

“The Bachelor,” “Supernanny,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Wife Swap”



“October Road” and “Notes from the Underbelly” Also to Return for Second Seasons





Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment, today outlined ABC’s plans for next season and unveiled the network’s 2007-08 fall schedule before a crowd of ABC affiliates and representatives of the advertising and media communities at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.



Scheduled to debut next season are four new comedy series: “Carpoolers,” “Cavemen,” “Miss/Guided” and “Sam I Am”; along with seven new drama series: “Big Shots,” “Cashmere Mafia,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Eli Stone,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies” and “Women’s Murder Club.” Alternative series “Oprah’s Big Give™” is also slated to debut.



In addition to the new series, ABC previously announced season renewals for “Brothers & Sisters,” “MEN IN TREES,” “Ugly Betty,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Boston Legal,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “The Bachelor,” “Supernanny,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Wife Swap.”



“October Road” and “Notes from the Underbelly” will return for second seasons as well.



“We’re heading into the new season with a strong lineup of returning shows that we’ve developed and nurtured over the past few years,” said McPherson. “That solid foundation will help us launch an exciting development slate as we continue our forward momentum this fall. We’re dedicated to working hard week after week to deliver the best stories and most memorable characters on TV.”



During the 2006-07 TV Season, ABC’s first season in decades without “Monday Night Football,” the network solidified its dominance with women and in all upscale measures. And with the addition of “Ugly Betty,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “October Road” and “MEN IN TREES,” ABC has added a new generation of broad-appealing, young, accessible dramas to its roster. ABC is the #1 network with Women 18-34 and Women 18-49, and is currently in second place for the season among Adults 18-49, leading both NFL-fueled CBS (with ”Super Bowl 2007”) and NBC (with ”Sunday Night Football”).



Excluding sports from the mix this season (to account for the loss of “Monday Night Football,” the 2006 “Super Bowl” and the Bowl Championship series) ABC is the No. 2 network to Fox among Adults 18-49. The network airs 7 of the Top 20 TV series in the key young adult sales demographic. ABC retained 99% of its Total Viewers, 100% of its Adult 18-34 audience and 95% of its Adult 18-49 audience year to year in the “non-sports” averages. Additionally, ABC marked its second straight season as the No. 1 television network among advertiser-prized upscale, high-income Adults 18-49 (with/$100K+ annual income). And ABC is the only network whose May Sweep performance is up from a year ago.



As previously announced, “Saturday Night College Football” will return for a second season on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 (8:00 p.m., ET).



Editors please note: Shows picked up but not listed on the schedule will debut later in the 2007-08 season. Photographs are available on www.abcmedianet.com.



ABC’s fall primetime schedule is as follows (all times listed are Eastern, with new shows in bold):





DAY TIME SERIES



MONDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars”

9:30 p.m. “Sam I Am” (new comedy series)

10:00 p.m. “The Bachelor”



TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Cavemen” (new comedy series)

8:30 p.m. “Carpoolers” (new comedy series)

9:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”

10:00 p.m. “Boston Legal”



WEDNESDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Pushing Daisies” (new drama series)

9:00 p.m. “Private Practice” (new drama series)

10:00 p.m. “Dirty Sexy Money” (new drama series)



THURSDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Ugly Betty”

9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”

10:00 p.m. “Big Shots” (new drama series)



FRIDAY: 8:00 p.m. “MEN IN TREES”

9:00 p.m. “Women’s Murder Club” (new drama series)

10:00 p.m. “20/20”



SATURDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Saturday Night College Football”



SUNDAY: 7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”

8:00 p.m. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

9:00 p.m. “Desperate Housewives”

10:00 p.m. “Brothers & Sisters”





“Cashmere Mafia,” “Notes from the Underbelly” and “October Road” will premiere after “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Bachelor” conclude their fall seasons.



Following, in alphabetical order, are descriptions of the new series joining ABC’s primetime schedule next season:





DRAMAS



“Big Shots”

This is the story of four friends at the top of their game...until the women in their lives enter the room. Lines between boardroom and bedroom blur when these competitive but dysfunctional CEOs take refuge in their friendship, discussing business, confiding secrets, seeking advice and supporting each other through life’s surprising twists and turns.



Cast:

Michael Vartan (“Alias”): James Walker

Dylan McDermott (“The Practice”): Duncan Collinsworth

Christopher Titus (“Titus”): Brody Johns

Joshua Malina (“The West Wing”): Karl Mixworthy

Nia Long (“Premonition”): Katie Graham

Paige Turco (“Party of Five”): Lisbeth

Peyton List (“Day Break”): Cameron Collinsworth

Wendy Moniz (“Nash Bridges”): Stacey Walker

Jessica Collins (“The Nine”): Marla

Amy Sloan (“The Heartbreak Kid”): Wendy


Credits:

EP/Writer: Jon Harmon Feldman (“American Dreams”)

Director: Charles McDougall (“Desperate Housewives”)

Production Company: Warner Bros. Television



“Cashmere Mafia”

Four ambitious and sexy women, who’ve been best friends since business school, try to balance their glamorous and demanding careers with their complex personal lives in the city that never sleeps. They’ve created their own “boys club” to protect each other and discuss their ups and downs as they try to have it all. What good is it to break the glass ceiling without girlfriends to share in your success?



Cast:

Lucy Liu (“Ally McBeal”): Mia

Frances O’Connor (“Windtalkers”): Zoe

Miranda Otto (“War of the Worlds”): Juliet

Bonnie Somerville (“NYPD Blue”): Caitlin

Peter Hermann (“Law & Order: SVU”): Davis

Julian Ovenden (“Related”): Eric


Credits:

EP: Gail Katz (“The Agency”)

EP: Darren Star (“Sex and the City”)

EP/Writer: Kevin Wade (“Maid in Manhattan”)

EP/Director: Peyton Reed (“The Break-Up”)

Production Company: Sony Pictures Television



“Dirty Sexy Money”

Some people say money is the root of all evil. They may be right. Nick George’s whole life has been lived in the shadow of the Darling family, but as an adult he’s leading the perfect life as an idealistic lawyer, until his father’s suspicious death. The absurdly wealthy Darlings of New York have asked him to take over his father’s job as their personal lawyer, but the money that will allow him the freedom to be an altruistic do-gooder is only part of the picture. That same money pulls him into the dubious doings of the Darling clan. Power, privilege and family money are a volatile cocktail.



Cast:

Peter Krause (“Six Feet Under”): Nick George

Donald Sutherland (“Commander in Chief”): Tripp Darling

William Baldwin (“The Squid and the Whale”): Sen. Patrick Darling

Natalie Zea (“Eyes”): Karen Darling

Glenn Fitzgerald (“Six Feet Under”): Rev. Brian Darling

Samaire Armstrong (“The O.C.”): Juliet Darling

Seth Gabel (“The Da Vinci Code”): Jeremy Darling

Zoe McLennan (“JAG”): Lisa

Laz Alonso (“Stomp the Yard”): Colin

Jill Clayburgh (“Running with Scissors”): Letitia Darling


Credits:

EP/Writer: Craig Wright (“Brothers & Sisters”)

EP: Greg Berlanti (“Brothers & Sisters”)

EP/Director: Peter Horton (“Grey’s Anatomy”)

EP: Matt Gross (“Day Break”)

EP: Bryan Singer (“Superman Returns”)

Production Company: ABC Studios



“Eli Stone”

Many lawyers consider themselves prophets, but Eli Stone may be the real deal. Eli has built a successful career at a top law firm in San Francisco representing only the biggest and richest corporations that make a habit of screwing over the little guy. But after experiencing a series of odd hallucinations, Eli seeks to find a deeper meaning to life while trying not to lose his job and destroy his relationship with the bosses’ daughter. When Eli discovers an aneurysm in his brain, he wonders if his condition is truly medical or if perhaps he now has a higher calling.



Cast:

Jonny Lee Miller (“Melinda and Melinda”): Eli Stone

Victor Garber (“Alias”): Jordan Wethersby

Natasha Henstridge (“Commander in Chief”): Taylor Wethersby

Loretta Devine (“Crash”): Patti

Sam Jaeger (“Catch and Release”): Matt Dowd

Laura Benanti (“Take the Lead”): Beth Keller

James Saito (“I Think I Love My Wife”): Dr. Chen


Credits:

EP/Writer: Greg Berlanti (“Brothers & Sisters”)

EP/Writer: Marc Guggenheim (“Brothers & Sisters”)

EP/Director: Ken Olin (“Brothers & Sisters”)

Production Company: ABC Studios



“Private Practice”

From Shonda Rhimes, the Golden Globe-winning creator of “Grey’s Anatomy,” comes a story about new beginnings and old friends. Addison Forbes Montgomery is a renowned neonatal surgeon, respected by her friends and colleagues at Seattle Grace Hospital. Deciding she can no longer healthily co-exist with her ex-husband, McDreamy, and her ex-lover, McSteamy, Addison heads to Los Angeles for sunnier weather and happier possibilities. Reunited with her once-married, newly divorced medical school friends, Naomi and Sam, Addison joins their chic private practice. Featuring an all-star cast including Kate Walsh, Amy Brenneman, Tim Daly and Taye Diggs, “Private Practice” tells the story of a woman unafraid of change and willing to begin a new life.



Cast:

Kate Walsh (“Grey’s Anatomy”): Addison Forbes Montgomery

Tim Daly (“The Nine”): Dr. Peter Finch

Taye Diggs (“Day Break”): Dr. Sam Bennett

Paul Adelstein (“Prison Break”): Dr. Cooper Freedman

Merrin Dungey (“The King of Queens”): Dr. Naomi Bennett

Chris Lowell (“Veronica Mars”): William “Dell” Cooper

Amy Brenneman (“Judging Amy”): Dr. Violet Turner


Credits:

EP/Writer: Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy”)

EP: Betsy Beers (“Grey’s Anatomy”)

EP: Marti Noxon (“Grey’s Anatomy”)

EP: Mark Gordon (“Grey’s Anatomy”)

Director: Michael Grossman (“Grey’s Anatomy”)

Production Company: ABC Studios



“Pushing Daisies”

From Bryan Fuller (“Heroes”) and Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men in Black”) comes an unprecedented blend of romance, crime procedural and high-concept fantasy in a forensic fairytale about a young man with a very special gift. Once upon a time, a mild-mannered boy named Ned realized he could touch dead things and bring them back to life. Grown-up Ned puts his ability to good use, not only touching dead fruit and making it ripe with everlasting flavor, but working with an investigator to crack murder cases by asking the deceased to name their killers. But the tale gets complicated, as all tales do, when Ned brings his childhood sweetheart, Chuck, back from the dead and keeps her alive. Chuck encourages him to use his power to help others, instead of merely solving mysteries and collecting the rewards. Life would be perfect for Ned and Chuck, except for one cruel twist: If he ever touches her again, she’ll go back to being dead, this time for good.





Cast:

Lee Pace (“The Good Shepherd”): Ned

Anna Friel (“Rogue Trader”): Chuck

Chi McBride (“Boston Public”): Emerson

Swoosie Kurtz (“Sisters”): Lily

Kristin Chenoweth (“The West Wing”): Olive

Jim Dale (“reader of the “Harry Potter” series audio books”): Narrator


Credits:

EP: Dan Jinks (“Traveler”)

EP: Bruce Cohen (“Traveler”)

EP/Director: Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men in Black”)

EP/Writer: Bryan Fuller (“Heroes”)

Production Company: The Jinks/Cohen Company in association with Warner Bros. Television



“Women’s Murder Club”

Based on James Patterson’s bestselling novels, The Women’s Murder Club, four working women in San Francisco - a detective, a district attorney, a medical examiner and a reporter - use their expertise and unique talents to solve murder cases. Each woman is successful in her own field, but because of their unique friendship, they realize that pooling their resources during investigations leads to undiscovered clues and answers in both work and their personal lives.



Cast:

Paula Newsome (“Little Miss Sunshine”): Claire

Aubrey Dollar (“Point Pleasant”): Cindy

Tyrees Allen (“Alias”): Jacobi

Angie Harmon (“Law & Order”): Lt. Lindsay Boxer

Laura Harris (“24”): Jill

Elizabeth L. Ho: Yuki

Rob Benedict (“Threshold”): Owen


Credits:

EP: Joe Simpson (“Employee of the Month”)

EP: James Patterson (“Along Came a Spider”)

EP/Writer: Elizabeth Craft (“Angel”)

EP/Writer: Sarah Fain (“Angel”)

Director: Scott Winant (“Huff”)

Production Company: 20th Century Fox TV





COMEDIES



“Carpoolers”

Less about saving the environment than male bonding, four guys from very different backgrounds relish their daily commute as they commiserate about their lives, jobs and families in the carpool lane. There’s Laird, the recently divorced playboy; Aubrey, the timid homemaker and breadwinner; the conservative and traditional Gracen; and eager newlywed Dougie. Together, between the pressures of home and work, these men find time to be themselves while driving to and from the office.



Cast:

Fred Goss (“Sons & Daughters”): Gracen

Faith Ford (“Hope & Faith”): Leila

Jerry O’Connell (“Crossing Jordan”): Laird

Jerry Minor (“Arrested Development”): Aubrey

Allison Munn (“That ‘70s Show”): Cindy

Tim Peper (“The Guiding Light”): Dougie

T.J. Miller: Marmaduke


Credits:

EP/Writer: Bruce McCulloch (“Saturday Night Live”)

EP: Justin Falvey (“Las Vegas”)

EP: Darryl Frank (“Las Vegas”)

EP: David Miner (“30 Rock”)

EP/Director: Anthony Russo & Joe Russo (“You, Me and Dupree”)

Production Company: ABC Studios



“Cavemen”

Cavemen is a unique buddy comedy that offers a clever twist on stereotypes and turns race relations on their head. Inspired by the popular Geico Insurance commercials, the series looks at life through the eyes of the ultimate outsiders - three modern cavemen - as they struggle to find their place in the world. Joel, his cynical best friend, Nick, and easy-going little brother, Jamie, are contemporary cavemen who live in the suburban south and simply want to be treated like ordinary thirty-something guys. Despite their attempts at assimilation, Nick doesn’t believe mainstream society will ever completely accept them, Jamie seems to take it all in stride and Joel straddles the middle, torn between his friends, his more traditional values and his loving fiancée.



Cast:

Bill English (“The Pavement”): Joel

Nick Kroll (“Arranged”): Nick

Dash Mihok (“Hollywoodland”): Jamie

Kaitlin Doubleday (“Catch Me If You Can”): Kate

John Heard (“Prison Break”): Trip

Stephanie Lemelin (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”): Thorne


Credits:

EP: Daniel Rappaport (“Office Space”)

EP: Guymon Casady (“Hope & Faith”)

EP/Director: Will Speck & Josh Gordon (“Blades of Glory”)

EP: Bill Martin (“Grounded for Life”)

EP: Mike Schiff (“Grounded for Life”)

Co-EP/Writer: Joe Lawson

Production Company: ABC Studios



“Miss/Guided”

Having navigated the awkward and sometimes traumatic world of high school, Rebecca Freely returns to her alma mater as a guidance counselor, free of the insecurities and orthodontia of her school days. Amidst student behavioral problems and the persistent romantic advances of the male nurse, Gary, Rebecca is certain of one thing -- she is interested in the hot auto-shop-turned-Spanish-teacher, Tim. However, much as in high school days of unexpected teenage angst, Lisa, a former cheerleader and nemesis of Rebecca’s, returns as the new English teacher determined to make Rebecca relive her unpopular past, setting sights on Tim as well.



Cast:

Judy Greer (“Two and a Half Men”): Becky

Brooke Burns (“Pepper Dennis”): Lisa

Earl Billings (“How I Met Your Mother”): Principal Huffy

Kristoffer Polaha (“CSI: Miami”): Tim

Jonathan Sadowski (“American Dreams”): Gary


Credits:

EP: Ashton Kutcher (“That ‘70s Show”)

EP: Jason Goldburg (“Beauty and the Geek”)

EP: Karey Burke (“The Real Wedding Crashers”)

EP/Writer: Caroline Williams (“The Office”)

EP/Writer: Gaby Allan (“Scrubs”)

Director: Todd Holland (“Malcolm in the Middle”)

Production Company: 20th Century Fox TV & ABC Studios



“Sam I Am”

When a terrible accident leaves Samantha “Sam” Newly in a coma for eight days, she wakes up with no recollection of any past experiences, memories or events. Faced with amnesia, Sam must start over. To her dismay she discovers that she wasn’t a particularly honest, good-hearted or loving person. In fact she was self-involved, narcissistic and devoid of real relationships - essentially a bitch. Sam must now struggle with her desire to be good and her temptation to be...not so good. Finding the line between good and evil is never easy.



Cast:

Christina Applegate (“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”): Sam

Jennifer Esposito (“Related”): Andrea

Kevin Dunn (“Prison Break”): Howard

Melissa McCarthy (“Gilmore Girls”): Dena

Tim Russ (“Without a Trace”): Frank

Jean Smart (“24”): Regina


Credits:

Story By: Cecelia Ahern & Donald Todd

Teleplay: Donald Todd (“Ugly Betty”)

EP: Donald Todd (“Ugly Betty”)

EP: Peter Traugott (“Frangela”)

Director: Robert Duncan McNeill (“Crossing Jordan”)

Production Company: ABC Studios





ALTERNATIVE SERIES



“Oprah’s Big Give™”

The first primetime series from Harpo Productions centers on the competition, drama and emotion as millions of dollars are given away to make a difference in people’s lives across the country. Each week contestants will face a “big twist” that will test their nerve, drive, ingenuity and passion. Big name stars will turn up throughout the series to join the “Oprah’s Big Give™” tour. During the eight episodes filmed in various U.S. cities, the field will be narrowed. The stakes will get higher and higher, with one person ultimately being chosen as The Biggest Giver. “Oprah’s Big Give™” is created and produced by Harpo Productions in conjunction with Profiles Television Productions, LLC. Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Rakieten, Harriet Seitler, Jonathan Sinclair, Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri are executive producers.

[TVJunkie101]

I have to commend ABC. They have what looks like AWESOME new shows. I'm not that sure Caveman or Carpoolers will do all that well, or Eli Stone, but other than that ... ABC has good fall potential and I almost want to watch nearly everything!

I'm a little worried about their Wednesday night. THREE all new dramas? And can Men in Trees really lead off a night? Especially Friday?

[TVJunkie101]

And call me crazy but I'm noticing a lot of networks (well, all of them really now) are saving some mild performers that are somewhat popular, holding them over for mid-season. I think that's a smart idea instead of outright canceling them and then having their new shows bomb with nothing to fill the void. I think they're finally getting smart.

[Pavan]

George Lopez is gone. According to Jim might be announced for a return at a later date.

ABC is gambling big on Wednesdays, but ABC is treating Private Practice like a returning show and should be big, but probably not as big as Grey's. 75% of GA's numbers even will be huge. If it hits, ABC will have a massive hit on each night from Sun-Thurs.
Lost will probably come Tuesdays or Wednesdays in February.