ABC Drama Pilots for 2003/2004 season

[Pavan]

"10-8"

1 Hour

Cast:

Danny Nucci: Rico Amonte
Ernie Hudson: John Henry Barnes
Indigo: Tisha Graves
Scott William Winters: Matt Jablonski
Mercedes Colon: Sheryl Torres
Travis Schuldt: Chase Williams

Credits:

Production Companies: Spelling Television, Touchstone Television

Executive Producer/ Writer: Jorge Zamacona

Executive Producers: Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent

Director: Martin Campbell

Brooklyn bad boy Rico Amonte was sliding into a life of crime. Then his policeman brother caught him in the act – and hauled him off to Southern California to set him on the straight and narrow. Two years later, Rico's a graduate of the Los Angeles Sheriff's academy – a Deputy Sheriff trainee about to hit the streets in a uniform and a badge.

L.A.'s streets are dangerous but Rico's seen worse in New York. He can handle that part of the job. But nothing has prepared him for the hazing he gets from his own department. His training officer, John Henry Barnes, is the meanest, toughest veteran on the force – and he's determined to hammer Rico into a by-the-book officer of the law, or break him in the process.

This edgy, humorous, and very real take on the lives of rookie cops is based on the experience of Sheriff Paul Pietrantoni.


"111 Gramercy Park"
1 Hour

Cast:

Frank Langella: William
Peter Strauss: Turk Karnegian
Erica Durance: Maddy O'Donnel
Brittany Daniel: Brynn Martin
Tippi Hedren: Mrs. Granville
Joel Grey: Hornsby
Mimi Kuzyk: Joanne Karnegian
Meredith Monroe: Leah Karnegian
Adilah Barnes: Constance
Joe Flanigan: Jack Phillips
Kate Hodge: Mimi Phillips
Joanna Going: Cathy Wilton
Currie Graham: Ken Wilton
John Kapelos: Gus Barlow
Michael Trucco: Nick Granville
Jaleel White: B.J. Brown

Credits:

Production Company: Warner Bros. Television

Executive Producer/ Writer: Bob Brush

Executive Producers: Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum

Director: Bill D'Elia

The neo-classical facade of 111 Gramercy Park looks down upon the streets of Manhattan. But within this grand residential building, the rooms and hallways are alive with high and low drama. And no one knows more about the secrets of its "upstairs" residents than the nannies and doormen "downstairs."

Ken and Cathy Wilton are a growing, picture-postcard family. Wealthy, worldly, and attractive, their estrangement has plunged them into a world of hurt and revenge. Turk Karnegian is a Wall Street raider who never learned the meaning of "enough." He has the money and power to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way – even his own son. Likeable, easygoing Nick Granville is heir to a fortune, but you'd never know it by his blue jeans and workshirt; he's not the man to let his millions stand in the way of true love. And high above in the penthouse perches the unchallenged ruler of the roost – Eleanor Granville, society doyen, toyer with lives, maker-breaker of dreams. Her secret is the most explosive of all.

Below stairs, the building hums. Outspoken social philosophers Gus and B.J. tend the leaky old pipes and chauffeur pets to their groomers. William, the all-seeing, all-knowing master of the foyer, defends the privacy of the residents and smoothes the kinks from their silky lives. Maddy, the nanny for anxious new parents Mimi and Jack Phillips, has a lot to learn about life. But she already guesses that the Karnegian's dazzling young nanny Brynn is not who she appears to be.

With an electrifying cast led by Frank Langella, 111 GRAMERCY PARK delivers high drama in the tradition of Dallas and Dynasty, with a distinctive new-millennium twist.


"Alaska"
1 Hour

Cast:

Brad Johnson: Ray Mathers
Michael Ironside: Roger Prescott
Gary Farmer: Paul Vico
Dahlia Salem: Alison Harper

Credits:

Production Company: Touchstone Television

Executive Producer/Writer: John August

Director: Kim Manners

The untamed terrain is almost impossible to cross. The evergreen forests are dark and impenetrable. Rivers of ice creep down from granite mountains, creaking toward the sea. For weeks on end a dry sun burns, unblinking and relentless. Then a shroud of snow and darkness descends to mask the landscape in an inward winter. This is Alaska – the end of the earth. The only people who come here to live are men and women driven to extremes.

The entire state of Alaska (nearly 600,000 square miles) is the jurisdiction of Lt. Ray Mathers, a loner and something of a local legend for his hunting-tracking skills. In a vast tundra, where stoplights don't exist and the speed limit is only a suggestion, Mathers can't remember the last time he wrote a parking ticket or pulled over a car for a burnt-out taillight. The homicides he tackles are as bizarre and unforgiving as the landscape. And the criminals he hunts are more unpredictable and dangerous than a wounded grizzly. In a landmass three times the size of the state of Massachusetts, Ray Mathers is the law.

Violent crimes aren't the only mysteries Mathers will have to tackle. His forensics wizard, Paul Vico, could have been chief medical examiner of a major sun-belt city. What binds him to the rocky vastness of Alaska? Why doesn't polished Assistant Attorney General Roger Prescott pull up stakes and pursue a lucrative career in the lower forty-eight? And, most curious of all, what event drove rising young prosecutor Alison Harper to abandon the great life in Washington, D.C. for a one-way ticket to the edge of the world? These are the people Ray Mathers works with. People he must depend on and learn to trust.

Set in the mysterious, twilight world of Insomnia, ALASKA is a procedural show unlike anything on television.


"Better Days"
1 Hour

Cast:

Jeffrey Nordling: Barrett Flannery
Mary Page Keller: Mary Margaret Flannery
Sophia Bush: Katie Flannery
Trevor Morgan: Pat Flannery
Logan Lerman: Ryan Flannery
David Ramsey: Sam Gable
Mira Delaney: Kira Schewchenko

Credits:

Production Company: Tollin-Robbins Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television

Executive Producer/Writer: Kevin Falls

Executive Producer/Director: Peter O'Fallon

The Flannerys have fallen from grace. Once a San Francisco star attorney, Barrett Flannery now finds himself a recovering alcoholic with a second chance. For his family, the collapse of their cushy lifestyle means a super-size adjustment.

Instead of lunching at her club, wife Mary Margaret has taken a job as a sales clerk - and faces the humiliation of waiting on her former bridge partners and onetime friends. Her two young sons, Ryan and Pat, and unpredictable teenage daughter, Katie, are making the rocky transition from the most exclusive prep to public school. Their "new" house is a rundown, paint-peeling fixer-upper a few miles and an eternity away from the old neighborhood. It sometimes seems that the only thing they haven't lost is a sense of humor. Can they survive the trials of demotion from the privileged class?

For his part, Barrett has opened a law office in a strip mall – and he's winning back his pride one case at a time. The kids are trying to make new friends – and learning to beware all kinds of new temptations. And Mary Margaret will have to get used to Barrett's clients pitching in around the house to pay off their legal bills.

Every day will bring new challenges and unexpected joys. The Flannerys are fighters and as long as they have each other, they believe they can rebuild their lives. Based on the painful, wonderful memories of its director's childhood, BETTER DAYS is a family drama for this decade.


"The D.A."
1 Hour

Cast:

Steven Weber: David Franks
Bruno Campos: Mark Camacho
J.K. Simmons: Joe Carter
Sarah Paulson: Lisa Baker
Aunjanue Ellis: Ellen Kaufman

Credits:

Production Companies: The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

Executive Producer/ Writer: James Duff

Executive Producer/Director: Michael M. Robin

Executive Producer: Greer Shephard

District Attorney David Franks is young, charismatic, ambitious – with his eyes fixed firmly on the governor's office. A relentless careerist, he times all his best moves to break on the evening news. By contrast, David's idealistic, relentless, no-holds-barred chief investigator, Mark Camacho, is a throwback who lives for the law and won't stop short of the truth.

Colleagues one minute and opponents the next, David and Mark lead a group of remarkably true-to-life professionals – and deeply flawed personalities – in the pursuit of justice. The crimes they investigate and the suspects they break are headline-making career-builders. But self-interest, grudges, private vendettas, and illicit affairs simmer just below the polished public face of this District Attorney's Office.

Each week, THE D.A. captures the tension, vigor, and gritty in-fighting as imperfect people struggle for perfect justice. The ensemble cast is led by Steven Weber as David Franks. Accessible, relatable cases and unexpected outcomes create a gripping and unflinching portrait of a big-city legal system.


"Karen Sisco"
1 Hour

Cast:

Carla Gugino: Karen Sisco
Robert Forster: Marshall Sisco
Bill Duke: Amos Andrews
Peter Horton: Ray Nicollette
Jake Busey: Pete Dillard

Credits:

Production Companies: Jersey Television, Universal Network Television

Executive Producers/ Writers: Jason Smilovic, Scott Frank

Executive Producers: John Landgraff, Danny DeVito, Stacy Sher, Michael Shamberg

Director: Michael Dinner

Smart. Sexy. Tough. Karen Sisco is a United States marshal on Miami's Gold Coast. In pursuit of dangerous fugitives, Karen must pick her way through the dark underbelly of South Beach nightlife and the sunshine and glitz of Palm Beach highlife... while she struggles to win the respect of her supervisor and fellow officers.

Karen is a barely concealed weapon who can take down a suspect twice her size. The only man she truly trusts is her father – a retired marshal with a wealth of life experience and street smarts. He's Karen's confidant, counselor, confessor – and her rock when her confidence waivers... which it does every time she tries to connect romantically with a man.

Based on the character portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in Elmore Leonard's Out of Sight, KAREN SISCO is that rare combination of action and character-drama, with a fresh and original young lead.


"Line of Fire"
1 Hour

Cast:

Leslie Bibb: Paige Van Doren
Anson Mount: Roy Ravelle
David Paymer: Jonah Malloy
Leslie Hope: Lisa Cohen
Jeffrey Sams: Todd Stevens
Brian Goodman: Donovan Stubbin
Michael Irby: Amiel MacArthur
Julie Ann Emery: Jennifer Sampson

Credits:

Production Companies: DreamWorks Television in association with Touchstone Television

Executive Producer/Writer/Director: Rod Lurie

Executive Producer: Marc Frydman

Strap on your weapon and try to survive another day on the streets. It's the same on both sides of the law. If you want to make it to the top, you've got to learn the ropes, outwit the competition, and take down your enemies.

Welcome to the war between the FBI and organized crime. One side enforces the law as the other breaks it, but brains, brawn, and intimidation are often the tools of both trades. The Richmond-based Malloy Crime Syndicate is run by Jonah Malloy, a charismatic but dangerous father figure. The Richmond FBI branch has its own dynamic leader in Special Agent-In-Charge Lisa Cohen. Like any business, they must justify operations and produce results while wrangling lieutenants who are as flawed as they are hard-working.

This fast-paced drama is a gritty look at a world that viewers have only imagined. These titanic organizations work side-by-side, completely aware of each other, but are unable and often unwilling to completely destroy the enemy that stands in their way.


"The Partners"
1 Hour

Cast:

Liz Vassey: Det. Christine Ryder
Mary Catherine Garrison: Det. Holly Flynn
Rick Hoffman: Captain Terlesky
Richard Gunn: Lt. Jones

Credits:

Production Company: Touchstone Television

Executive Producer/Writer: Kerry Ehrin

Executive Producers: Nena Rodrigue, Jim Parriot

Director: Marc Buckland

Christine Ryder is smart and tough. Holly Flynn is brazen and outlandish. They've got the looks and confidence to have become almost anything. Lucky for us they chose careers as undercover cops.

Christine loves kicking butt. Holly lives by the rulebook. They didn't ask to be partnered – in fact, it was their last choice. But after a million dollars in drugs disappeared while Christine was working a sting, Internal Affairs decided that she needed a minder.

Now that Christine and Holly are stuck with each other, somehow they have to make it work. As undercover narcs, they'll use their very different charms as passkeys to the mansions of Beverly Hills and Bel Air – and the steamy after-hours parties from downtown to Malibu. But everywhere they go, they're only a misstep away from blowing their cover.

Buckle up for Christine and Holly. Like Lethal Weapon in mini-skirts, audiences will never know whether to smile or jump.


"The Street Lawyer"
1 Hour

Cast:

Eddie Cibrian: Michael Brock
Mario Van Peebles: Mordecai Green
James LeGros: Barry Nuzzo
KaDee Strickland: Caroline Brown
Hal Holbrook: Arthur Jacobs
Dylan Baker: Braden Chance
Robin Thomas: Rudolph Mayes
Casey Siemaszko: Rafter Mayes
Navi Rawat: Sofia
Todd Louiso: Abraham
Tito Ortiz: Hector

Credits:

Production Company: Touchstone Television

Executive Producers/Writers: David Levien, Brian Koppelman

Executive Producers: John Grisham, David Gernert

Co-Executive Producer/Director: Paris Barclay

Co-Executive Producer: Gary Randall

Riddle: How many lawyers does it take to do the right thing?
Answer: One, when he's a man of conscience and courage.

Privileged attorney Michael Brock has it all: $2000 suits, a Beemer, a great apartment, a paneled office in a high-powered Washington law firm. He's on cruise control along the high road to partnership, fortune, and a Platinum membership in the old boys' club. Then a shocking and unnecessary killing brings Michael face-to-face with his conscience.

What begins for Michael as a simple effort to right a wrong will become a life-changing passion. Once he realizes that his law firm is on the wrong side of decency, Michael throws in with a down-and-dirty legal clinic run by explosive, tenacious storefront lawyer Mordecai Green. All these men have in common is a passion for the law and a calling. Now Michael wants to up the ante... not just to comfort the afflicted as Mordecai has done, but to afflict the comfortable. His ties to his old firm will help them tangle with the big boys.

A rousing, absorbing, stand-up-and-cheer weekly drama series, THE STREET LAWYER is based on the best-seller by John Grisham and is directed by Emmy Award-winner Paris Barclay.


"Then Came Jones"
1 Hour

Cast:

Sean Patrick Flanery: Ben Jones
Jsu Garcia: Elfuego
Melissa Gilbert: Devon
Taylor Handley: Quinn
Mary Elizabeth Winstead: Rina
Ariel Gade: Kaitlin

Credits:

Production Company: Touchstone Television.

Executive Producers/Writers: Chris Brancato, Bert Salke

Texas at the dawn of the twentieth century. When men were men and women loved them anyway. The strong rule, a quick draw overrules, and even the Sheriff can be called out at high noon or any other hour of the day. Where an outlaw can become the law and have the full support of the townspeople. Welcome to El Paso.

It may be a century ago, but the people aren't that different from today. They work hard, try to raise families and cope with modern conveniences meant to make their lives easier. Electric lights. Motor cars. Crime is abhorred and hard work is rewarded here. So when handsome, charming rogue Ben Jones, owner of the local whorehouse, breaks up a drug ring run by the sheriff, the townspeople don't hesitate to give Ben the star. The job only adds to his stress and causes his ulcer to flair up. But if being sheriff means the tenderloin district continues to operate, so be it. Besides he's got a sister and two nieces to look out for. And in the old west, you never turn your back on family.

It's the old west seen through twentieth century eyes. Sure the living isn't easy, but there are many joys to be found. The pioneering townspeople are going to sleep a little easier at night, for there's a new sheriff in town.


"Threat Matrix"
1 Hour

Cast:

Jamie Denton: John Kilmer
Kelly Rutherford: Frankie Ellroy Kilmer
Will Lyman: Colonel Roger Atkins
Kurt Caceres: Tim Serrano
Mahershalalhashbaz Ali: Jelani
Melora Walters: Anne "Lark" Larken
Anthony Azizi: Mo
Shoshannah Stern: Holly Brodeen

Credits:

Production Company: Touchstone Television

Executive Producer/ Writer: Daniel Voll

Executive Producers: Emile Levisetti, Michael Edelstein, Keith Addis

Director: Charles Haid

Our nation is a target. Al-Qaeda and other deadly enemies are determined to destroy our way of life. An attack could come at any time, from anywhere around the globe.

Against this rising threat, the Homeland Security Agency has created a highly specialized, elite task force trained and equipped to counter anyone or anything that threatens our nation. The head of this super-secret team is Special Agent John Kilmer. He reports only to the President and has authority to call upon the technical skills, firepower, and specialist agents of the FBI, CIA and NSA.

Working with cutting-edge technology – and vast stores of chutzpah – this clandestine team fights the many faces of terror to keep America safe. The one wrinkle in Kilmer's dream-team is his ex-wife, Frankie. She's as beautiful as she is fearless and lethal. Together they've averted disasters of all kinds, except their marriage.

With stories ripped from headlines, THREAT MATRIX is a drama with a ticking clock in an arena as deep and complex as today's world.

[Pavan]

The ones that make it will be announced shortly. These are the front-runners to make it:

- Karen Sisco, a drama starring Carla Gugino (Spy Kids) as a federal marshal in the role originated by Jennifer Lopez in Out of Sight.
- 10-8, a drama about rookie cops training in Los Angeles.
- Threat Matrix, a drama about a homeland security task force.

Line of Fire could be mid-season.


All this will be answered in 12 hours or less...

[Pavan]

All 3 dramas I said that were favorites to make it, made it. Also, Line of Fire is mid-season:

May 13, 2003

FOUR NEW COMEDIES AND THREE NEW DRAMAS JOIN ABC'S 2003-2004 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE THIS FALL

Building on the Momentum of its Returning Series, ABC Adds "10-8," "Back to Kansas," "Hope & Faith," "I'm with Her," "It's All Relative," "Karen Sisco" and "Threat Matrix" to its Fall Lineup New Lineup Includes the Return of TGIF Critically Acclaimed Drama "The Practice" Returns to Sunday at 10:00

"Line of Fire" and "Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital"
Picked up for Mid-Season

The Next "Bachelor" and Trista & Ryan's Wedding Are Announced

Building on the momentum created by its successful slate of comedies, Lloyd Braun, Chairman, ABC Entertainment Television Group, outlined ABC's plans for next season, and Susan Lyne, President, Entertainment, announced the network's new 2003-2004 primetime schedule. The new schedule includes the addition of seven new entertainment series for the fall -- four comedies and three dramas -- plus two midseason dramas, from every major studio.

The two spoke before representatives of the advertising and media communities at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

The new fall schedule includes the new comedy series "Back to Kansas," "Hope & Faith," "I'm with Her" and "It's All Relative," and the dramas "10-8," "Karen Sisco" and "Threat Matrix."

Highlights include the return of ABC's long-running Friday night comedy franchise, TGIF, with the hit series "George Lopez" as the 8:00 p.m. anchor, and the renewal of the critically acclaimed and award-winning drama, "The Practice," which returns for its eighth season to Sunday at 10:00 p.m.

In addition Ms. Lyne announced two drama series for midseason, "Line of Fire" and "Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital."

She also made two announcements regarding the phenomenal relationship reality series "The Bachelor": The next "Bachelor" will be the endearingly funny Bob Guiney from "The Bachelorette," and this fall ABC will broadcast four hours documenting the wedding of "The Bachelorette," Trista Rehn, to the love she found on the show, Ryan Sutter.

Commenting on the announcement, Ms. Lyne said: "For the coming season, ABC is embracing the idea of being America's broadcasting network, and with that, introducing scripted programming that reflects the lives and values of our viewers. While many networks have struggled with comedy development, we believe we've found our comedic voice. We're bringing back our entire slate of comedies, including '8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter' and 'George Lopez,' and adding four new ones, making ABC home to 10 comedies next season -- the most of any network.

"We've brought the same focus to our drama development this year," Ms. Lyne continued. "We looked for stories and characters that our viewers can relate to, characters they'll want to get to know better. The return of 'NYPD Blue,' 'The Practice' and 'Alias' signal the importance of this kind of relationship, and the three new dramas we'll debut this fall further illustrate our commitment to creating shows and characters that our viewers will want to invite into their homes every week."

Mr. Braun added: "We are confident today's new schedule will continue our upward ratings momentum, build on our success in comedy, and introduce a new generation of signature dramas."


ABC's complete 22-hour fall primetime schedule, which will premiere in September, is as follows (all times listed are Eastern, with new shows in bold):

DAY TIME SERIES

MONDAY: 8:00 p.m "Primetime Monday"
9:00 p.m "Monday Night Football" (through January)
8:00 p.m "ABC Movie of the Week" (in January after football)

TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter"
8:30 p.m. "I'm with Her"
9:00 p.m "According to Jim" (new time period)
9:30 p.m "Less Than Perfect"
10:00 p.m "NYPD Blue"

WEDNESDAY: 8:00 p.m "My Wife and Kids"
8:30 p.m. "It's All Relative"
9:00 p.m. "The Bachelor"
10:00 p.m "Karen Sisco"

THURSDAY: 8:00 p.m "Threat Matrix"
9:00 p.m "Extreme Makeover" (new day and time)
10:00 p.m "Primetime Thursday"

FRIDAY: 8:00 p.m "George Lopez" (new day and time)
8:30 p.m "Back to Kansas"
9:00 p.m "Hope & Faith"
9:30 p.m "Life with Bonnie" (new day and time)
10:00 p.m "20/20"

SATURDAY: 8:00 p.m "The Wonderful World of Disney" (new day and time)
10:00 p.m "L.A. Dragnet" (new day and title)

SUNDAY: 7:00 p.m "America's Funniest Home Videos" (new day and time)
8:00 p.m "10-8"
9:00 p.m "Alias"
10:00 p.m "The Practice" (new day and time)

Descriptions of the seven entertainment series joining ABC's primetime schedule this fall, listed in alphabetical order, follow (all times are Eastern):

"10-8" (one-hour drama, Sundays at 8:00 p.m., ET) ‚ Brooklyn bad boy Rico Amonte was sliding into a life of crime. Then his policeman brother caught him in the act ‚ and hauled him off to Southern California to get him on the straight and narrow. Two years later, Rico is a graduate of the Los Angeles Sheriff's academy ‚ a Deputy Sheriff trainee about to hit the streets in uniform, and with a gun and a badge.

New York's streets were dangerous, but nothing has prepared Rico from the hazing he gets from his own department. His training officer, John Henry Barnes, is the meanest, toughest veteran on the force and is determined to hammer Rico into a by-the-book officer of the law -- or break him in the process.

This edgy, humorous and very real take on the lives of rookie cops is based on the experience of Sheriff Paul Pietrantoni.

Cast:

Danny Nucci "Titanic," "The Rock"): Rico Amonte
Ernie Hudson ("Oz"): John Henry Barnes
Indigo: Tisha Graves
Scott William Winters: Matt Jablonski
Mercedes Colón: Sheryl Torres
Travis Schuldt: Chase Williams
Executive Producer/Writer: Jorge Zamacona
Executive Producers: Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent
Production Companies: Spelling Television and Touchstone Television
"Back to Kansas" (working title -- half-hour comedy, Fridays at 8:30 p.m., ET) -- In Tom's marriage to Susan Kelly, everything is relative. Everything. Tom, an only child, quickly learns that Susan's family is not only larger-than-life... it's larger than most. Now his toughest challenge is fitting in without freaking out.

Tom and Susan moved from New York to Kansas to be closer to the quirky, tight-knit Kellys. But it's a little too close for Tom's comfort. The in-jokes, the family quirks... every get-together tests Tom's nerves, but nothing compares to his worst nightmare ‚ game night. From befriending Susan's weird, bug-collecting brother to schmoozing with her smug, condescending uncle, Tom tries his best to become one of the family... whether he likes it or not.

From exec-producer Brad Grey ("The Sopranos," "Just Shoot Me") comes a family-sized comedy with a super-sized heart. It's the show about a mild-mannered guy discovering that in a big family, it's all for one... and every man for himself.

Cast:

Breckin Meyer ("Road Trip," "Go," "Kate & Leopold"): Tom
Meredith Monroe: Susan
Sam Anderson ("From the Earth to the Moon"): Bill
Nancy Lenehan: Sandy
Emily Rutherfurd: Mary
Josh Braaten: Chris
Derek Waters: Lewis
Credits:

Executive Producer/ Writer: Tom Hertz
Executive Producer: Brad Grey
Director: Ted Wass
Production Companies: Brad Grey Television in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
"Hope & Faith" (half-hour comedy, Fridays at 9:00 p.m., ET) -- Stay-at-home mom, Hope (Faith Ford, "Murphy Brown"), leads a busy, family-centered suburban life with her husband, children and live-in father. Her celebrity sister, Faith (Kelly Ripa, "Live with Regis and Kelly," "All My Children"), has been living the high life in Hollywood as a daytime soap opera diva. But when Faith's character is suddenly killed-off on "The Sacred and the Sinful," she flees Tinseltown and the relentlessly inquiring minds of the tabloid press, and seeks refuge in suburbia with Hope.

In a flash, Hope's sensible, down-to-earth world goes star-struck. Raising three kids ‚including a rebellious teen girl ‚ has never been easy. But with trendy, theatrical Faith at the dinner table, parenting turns into crisis management for Hope.

"Hope & Faith" is a comedy about what happens when the fast lane collides with the carpool lane. It's about the moments that make you want to hug your sister... and the times you want to write her out of your life.

Cast:

Faith Ford ("Murphy Brown"): Hope
Kelly Ripa ("All My Children," "Live with Regis and Kelly"): Faith
Josh Stamberg: Charley
Harve Presnell: Jack
Macey Cruthird: Hayley
Brie Larson: Sydney
Slade Pearce: Justin
Co-Executive Producer/Writer: Joanna Johnson
Executive Producers: Guymon Casady, Emile Levisetti, Michael Edelstein
Production Company: Touchstone Television
"I'm with Her" (working title -- half-hour comedy, Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m., ET) -- Writer Chris Henchy's real life marriage to Brooke Shields is the inspiration for this fresh romantic comedy: He's an average guy living with a woman who can't even pick up their dry cleaning without being asked for an autograph! Which means he's got plenty of funny stories to bring to this series about a high school teacher who falls for a movie star.

On the day that would change his life, delightful young everyman Patrick Owen is drinking his mid-morning latte when he's bitten by love. Literally. The gnashing jaws belong to Monroe, the easily-excited puppy of movie star Alexandra Young. When she tries to apologize ‚ and when Patrick recognizes her famous face ‚ he's awestruck, dumbstruck, and so very charming.

Alex sets her sights on Patrick, but he's unprepared for the add-ons that come with this little flirtation. His anonymity and privacy go up in the flash of a hundred paparazzi cameras. And he's an overnight sensation with his young male students, for reasons that have nothing to do with his brilliant classroom banter. All of which makes him wonder if it's possible to find true love in the hot spotlight of the media.

From the producers of "Smallville" comes a unique look at a guy dating out of his league. Way out of his league. This comedy proves nice guys don't always finish last. Sometimes they go the distance.

Cast:

David Sutcliffe: Patrick
Teri Polo ("Meet the Parents"): Alex
Danny Comden: Stevie
Rhea Seehorn: Cheri
Credits:
Executive Producers/ Writers: Chris Henchy, Marco Pennette
Executive Producers: Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola
Production Companies: Tollin-Robbins Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
"It's All Relative" (working title -- half-hour comedy, Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., ET) -- So you think Romeo and Juliet had family issues? Listen to this.

Bobby's a bartender ‚ the only son of gregarious, salt-of-the-earth Irish Catholic parents from Boston. His fiancée, Liz, is a toney Harvard student and she's Protestant (no, that's not the problem). Liz has two dads, not one, and they're a worldly pair of well-heeled gay men.

The moment Bobby popped the question to Liz, they knew their families would have to meet. And the first time they brought his Mom and Dad together with her Dad and Dad... well, things did not go well.

Aside from the obvious, there's a culture gap between these in-laws-to-be that makes the Grand Canyon look like a seam in the sidewalk. Liz's parents are devotees of the arts. Bobby's are devotees of the Red Sox. Liz's parents are into St. Laurent. Bobby's parents swear by St. Patrick. Did we mention that Bobby's sister, Maddy, loves throwing gasoline on the fire?

From Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, acclaimed producers of the Oscar-winning "Chicago."

Cast:

Reid Scott: Bobby
Maggie Lawson ("Nancy Drew"): Liz
John Benjamin Hickey ("Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows"): Philip
Chris Sieber: Simon
Lenny Clarke ("The Job"): Mace
Harriet Harris ("Nurse Betty"): Audrey
Paige Moss: Maddy
Credits:

Executive Producers/ Writers: Ann Flett-Giordano, Chuck Ranberg
Executive Producers: Craig Zadan, Neil Meron
Production Companies: Touchstone Television, Paramount Television
"Karen Sisco" (one-hour drama, Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m., ET) -- Smart. Sexy. Tough. Karen Sisco is a United States marshal on Miami's Gold Coast. In pursuit of dangerous fugitives, Karen must pick her way through the dark underbelly of South Beach nightlife and the sunshine and glitz of Palm Beach highlife... while she struggles to win the respect of her supervisor and fellow officers.

Karen is a barely concealed weapon who can take down a suspect twice her size. The only man she truly trusts is her father ‚ a retired marshal with a wealth of life experience and street smarts. He's Karen's confidant, counselor, confessor ‚ and her rock when her confidence waivers... which it does every time she tries to connect romantically with a man.

Based on the character portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in Elmore Leonard's "Out of Sight," "Karen Sisco" is that rare combination of action and character-drama, with a fresh and original young lead.

Cast:

Carla Gugino ("Spy Kids"): Karen Sisco
Robert Forster ("Jackie Brown"): Marshall Sisco
Bill Duke ("A Rage in Harlem"): Amos Andrews
Credits:

Executive Producers/ Writers: Jason Smilovic, Scott Frank
Executive Producers: John Landgraff, Danny DeVito, Stacy Sher, Michael Shamberg
Director: Michael Dinner
Production Companies: Jersey Television, Universal Network Television
"Threat Matrix" (one hour drama, Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., ET) -- Our nation is a target. Al-Qaeda and other deadly enemies are determined to destroy our way of life. An attack could come at any time, from anywhere around the globe.

Against this rising threat, the Homeland Security Agency has created a highly specialized, elite task force trained and equipped to counter anyone or anything that threatens our nation. The head of this super-secret team is Special Agent John Kilmer. He reports only to the President and has authority to call upon the technical skills, firepower and the specialist agents of the FBI, CIA and NSA.

Working with cutting-edge technology ‚ and vast stores of chutzpah ‚ this clandestine team fights the many faces of terror to keep America safe. The one wrinkle in Kilmer's dream-team is his ex-wife, Frankie. She's as beautiful as she is fearless and lethal. Together they've averted disasters of all kinds, except their marriage.

With stories ripped from headlines, "Threat Matrix" is a drama with a ticking clock in an arena as deep and complex as today's world.

Cast

Jamie Denton ("Primary Colors," "Philly"): John Kilmer
Kelly Rutherford ("Melrose Place"): Frankie Ellroy Kilmer
Will Lyman: Colonel Roger Atkins
Kurt Caceres: Tim Serrano
Mahershalalhashbaz Ali: Jelani
Melora Walters: Anne "Lark" Larken
Anthony Azizi: Mo
Shoshannah Stern: Holly Brodeen
Credits:

Executive Producer/ Writer: Daniel Voll
Executive Producers: Emile Levisetti, Michael Edelstein, Keith Addis
Production Company: Touchstone Television, Industry Television
MIDSEASON

"Line of Fire" (working title -- one-hour drama) -- Strap on your weapon and try to survive another day on the streets. It's the same on both sides of the law. If you want to make it to the top, you've got to learn the ropes, outwit the competition and take down your enemies.

Welcome to the war between the FBI and organized crime. One side enforces the law as the other breaks it, but brains, brawn and intimidation are often the tools of both trades. The Richmond-based Malloy Crime Syndicate is run by Jonah Malloy, a charismatic but dangerous father figure. The Richmond FBI branch has its own dynamic leader in Special Agent-In-Charge Lisa Cohen. Like any business, they must justify operations and produce results while wrangling lieutenants who are as flawed as they are hard-working.

This fast-paced drama is a gritty look at a world that viewers have only imagined. These titanic organizations work side-by-side, completely aware of each other, but are unable and often unwilling to completely destroy the enemy that stands in their way.

Cast:

Leslie Bibb ("Popular"): Paige Van Doren
Anson Mount ("Boiler Room"): Roy Ravelle
David Paymer ("The Hurricane"): Jonah Malloy
Leslie Hope ("24"): Lisa Cohen
Jeffrey Sams ("Soul Food"): Todd Stevens
Brian Goodman: Donovan Stubbin
Michael Irby: Amiel MacArthur
Julie Ann Emery: Jennifer Sampson
Credits:

Executive Producer/ Writer/Director: Rod Lurie
Executive Producer: Marc Frydman
Executive Producer: Jeff Melvoin (series only)
Production Companies: DreamWorks Television in association with Touchstone Television
"Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital" (drama, Thursdays at 9:00 p.m., ET, beginning in January) -- Using the Danish miniseries "Riget" (a.k.a. "The Kingdom") as a point of inspiration, master of horror Stephen King gives this story a unique and menacing American touch. King himself describes it as "ER" crossed with "The Shining."

Kingdom is a hospital whose bizarre population includes a brilliant surgeon who lives in the basement, a nearly blind security guard and a nurse who regularly faints at the sight of blood. But when patients and staff hear the voice of a girl crying through the halls and a patient destined for life as a paraplegic miraculously recovers, they are dismissive of any suggestion of mysticism or unseen powers... at their own peril.

Credits:

Executive Producers: Stephen King and Mark Carliner
Production Companies: Columbia TriStar Television in association with Touchstone Television.

[Pavan]

ABC has picked up a new drama for mid-season in 2004 (known as 111 Gramercy Park), so now 3 dramas for this mid-season:

ABC ORDERS A NEW DRAMA FROM THE CREATORS OF "PARTY OF FIVE" FOR MIDSEASON

The ABC Television Network has ordered a new drama from Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman, the creators of "Party of Five," for midseason, it was announced today by Susan Lyne, president, ABC Entertainment, during the network's annual presentation to the Television Critics Association. The series will explore the comedy of relationships, the social rules by which we live, the borders of what we call family, and the possibilities of the American Dream.

The story will take place in the moneyed world of New York City. In a single building on the Upper West Side, two sub-cultures of the city live in delicate balance. This is the story of the people who've "made it" -- on their own or by accident of birth, as they struggle to raise their children, keep their marriages together, balance work and family and strive for even greater success - as seen through the eyes of the people without whose help their privileged lives would not be possible, the nannies, the assistants, the housekeepers -- people with none of the others' advantages but who, with families of their own to take care for, really run the world of the people who "run the world." These two cultures are inextricably linked -- they need each other, are jealous of each other, form bonds as close as family, even fall in love.

The untitled Keyser/Lippman project is a production of The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions Inc. Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman are the writers and executive producers. Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum are executive producers.

[Pavan]

ABC TELEVISION NETWORK ANNOUNCES PRIMETIME PREMIERE DATES FOR THE 2003-04 SEASON

In Addition to Fall Premieres, Network Announces Two-Hour Midseason Debut of "Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital," Thursday, February 5


The ABC Television Network has announced its 2003-04 primetime premiere schedule:


Friday, September 5
10:00-11:00 p.m., "20/20" (season premiere)


Monday, September 8
9:00-11:00 p.m. apx., "Monday Night Football" (Monday night premiere) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia Eagles


Thursday, September 11
10:00-11:00 p.m., "Primetime Thursday" (season premiere)


Monday, September 15
8:00-9:00 p.m., "Primetime Monday" (season premiere)


Thursday, September 18
8:00-9:00 p.m., "Threat Matrix" (new series premiere)
9:00-10:00 p.m. "Extreme Makeover (season premiere)


Tuesday, September 23
8:00-8:30 p.m., "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" (season premiere)
8:30-9:00 p.m., "I'm with Her" (new series premiere)
9:00-10:00 p.m., "According to Jim" (one-hour season premiere)
10:00-11:00 p.m., "NYPD Blue" (season premiere)

Wednesday, September 24
8:00-9:00 p.m., "My Wife & Kids" (one-hour season premiere)
9:00-11:00 p.m., "The Bachelor" (two-hour season premiere)


Friday, September 26
8:00-9:00 p.m., "George Lopez" (one-hour season premiere)
9:00-9:30 p.m., "Hope & Faith" (new series premiere)
9:30-10:00 p.m., "Life with Bonnie" (season premiere)


Saturday, September 27
8:00-10:00 p.m., The Wonderful World of Disney (season premiere) "Remember the Titans"
10:00-11:00 p.m., "L.A. Dragnet" (season premiere)


Sunday, September 28
7:00-8:00 p.m., "America's Funniest Home Videos" (season premiere)
8:00-9:00 p.m., "10-8" (new series premiere)
9:00-10:00 p.m. , "Alias" (season premiere)
10:00-11:00 p.m., "The Practice" (season premiere)


Tuesday, September 30
9:30-10:00 p.m. , "Less Than Perfect" (season premiere)


Wednesday, October 1
8:30-9:00 p.m., "It's All Relative" (new series premiere)
10:00-11:00 p.m., "Karen Sisco" (new series premiere)


Friday, October 3
8:30-9:00 p.m., "Married to the Kellys" (new series premiere)


Thursday, February 5, 2004
9:00-11:00 p.m., "Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital" (new series premiere)