I will be on the phone with Steve McPherson, President, ABC Entertainment at 8:00AM today as he talks about the upcoming 2008 – 2009 TV season at ABC. Check back for a live blog of the call starting today just after 8:00AM EST.
Four New Series Ordered:
Life On Mars :
"Life on Mars" is based on the BBC series created by Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan and Ashley Pharoah. The series revolves around Sam Tyler, a modern-day police detective who, after a car crash, mysteriously finds himself transported back to 1973 and still working as a detective.
The series stars Jason O' Mara as Sam Tyler, Rachelle LeFevre as Annie Cartwright, Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt, Stephanie Jacobsen as Maya, Lenny Clarke as George Randall, Patrick Wenk-Wolff as Colin Raimes, and Richard Benjamin as Milton Kornboll.
The Goode Family :
A new animated series from Mike Judge, creator of "King of the Hill." "The Goode Family" is obsessed with doing the "right" thing whether it's environmentally, politically or socially. Unfortunately their efforts often have unintended comic consequences.
"The Goode Family" is voiced by Mike Judge as Gerald, Nancy Carell as Helen, Dave Herman as Ubuntu, and Abby Elliot as Bliss.
Opportunity Knocks:
"Opportunity Knocks" is a new show that breaks the mold of typical game and reality shows. We will be showing up on America's doorstep and testing how well they know their family. Our mobile team will arrive at "Anywhere, America" in a semi-truck that is full of flat screen TVs, new furniture and big cash prizes that the family can win right there. We will take the action of a game show directly into our contestants' homes, setting up shop in a family's front lawn. The instant our host, J.D. Roth knocks on the front door – the game will begin. Hollywood will invade a suburban neighborhood and each week one lucky family will play the game of a lifetime in front of all their friends and neighbors.
The host poses trivia questions to family members based directly on their lives, each other and articles found in and around their home. If they’re able to prove they know their family inside and out, they’ll win the prizes of their dreams.
Untitled Ashton Kutcher Tyra Banks Project:
A beauty pageant unlike any you’ve ever seen, from executive producers Ashton Kutcher and Tyra Banks.
Highlights Of The Call:
- 17 Series still in production for possible pickup at midseason.
- Lost, According To Jim, Scrubs and The Bachelor set for midseason
- Regarding Scrubs Steve said, “We think its been in 17 time periods on (NBC) and they rarely promoted it at all and it still performed a 3.5 rating on Thursday second only to ‘The Office.’ We think it’s a great addition to our comedy brand, it gives us a real opportunity and another piece to play with.”
- Midseason is setup for lots of opportunity for new series.
- Strike was a distraction to the schedule and ABC will have a big launch this fall spending monies re-launching current shows.
- Couldn't get traction on Men In Trees.
- October Road was a terrific show but had a small and dedicated audience.
- This will be the final season of Boston Legal.
- Doing some recasting on Life On Mars.
- Ugly Betty in NYC. Made a lot of sense to bring it back to NYC.
ABC's Fall 2008 TV Schedule:
Monday
8- “Dancing with the Stars”
9:30 – “Samantha Who?”
10 – “Boston Legal" / "the Bachelor"
Tuesday
8 – “Opportunity Knocks” (new reality show)
9 – “Dancing with the Stars” results show / "Scrubs" and "The Goode Family" (midseason)
10 – “Eli Stone”
Wednesday
8 – “Pushing Daisies”
9 – “Private Practice”
10 – “Dirty Sexy Money”
Thursday
8 – “Ugly Betty”
9 – “Grey’s Anatomy”
10 – “Life on Mars” (new drama)
Friday
8 – “Wife Swap”
9 – “Supernanny”
10 – “20/20”
Saturday
8 – “Saturday Night College Football”
Sunday
7 – “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8 – “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
9 – “Desperate Housewives”
10 – “Brothers & Sisters”
