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ABC's upcoming schedule: What's old is new

May 13, 2008, 10:05 AM | by Lynette Rice

Categories: TV Biz

Jasonomara_l Save a few new shows like a time-traveling drama and an old comedy from another network, ABC's fall schedule will look fairly similar to the one it unveiled in September 2007. Promising (yet ratings-starved) dramas like Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money will be back on Wednesdays, as will the hit series Private Practice, while Boston Legal will be back for its final season on Mondays. Grey's Anatomy will serve as a lead-in on Thursdays to Life on Mars, a new dramedy based on a BBC series of the same name that stars a present-day cop (Jason O'Mara, pictured) who's transported back in time after getting hit by a car. On Tuesdays, a new reality show called Opportunity Knocks will literally bring a game show to someone's front porch each week, and a new season of Scrubs (yep, that old NBC comedy) will follow Knocks once Dancing with the Stars finishes up its next installment. A new animated comedy from Mike Judge (King of the Hill) called Goode Family (about a clan compelled to do the right thing) and a new season of Eli Stone will round out Tuesdays.

Sundays will remain intact with the winning lineup of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters. Other shows set to return this fall include Samantha Who, Super Nanny, and Wife Swap. Lost will come back midseason, as will a new and yet untitled reality show from Ashton Kutcher and Tyra Banks, not to mention According to Jim, The Bachelor, and ABC News' "Primetime: What Would You Do?"

Since the 100-day writers strike wreaked havoc on the development season, ABC was only able to develop four scripted shows in preparation for fall. However, it still has 17 pilots in the work for midseason, including a remake of the old ABC comedy Cupid from Rob Thomas.

Men in Trees, Miss Guided, Oprah's Big Give, and October Road all got the ax for fall.

Ben Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 07:45 AM EST

October Road was the best show I have seen in a long time. I was really looking forward to it this year, can't believe they cut it from the schedule. About the only show that I actually connected with. Everything else is far out there or empty content.

cassandra Fri, Jul 11, 2008 at 08:24 AM EST

I hate wife swap and so do about a million other people its the worst reality show on abc, get rid of these boring reality shows and give us something worth looking forward to watch life is short , why would anyone with half a brain watch wife swap , its faked and scripted and needs improved i watched 3 episodes and yaened through it all GET RID OF WIFE SWAP ABC.

iLuvORoad Sat, May 31, 2008 at 12:37 PM EST

OCTOBER ROAD was the best show on tv since friends. I can't believe the networks keep shows like wife swap but cancel a wonderful warm and cute show like October Road. October Road had a great cast, great music, wonderful chemistry between the characters and was a show you couldn't wait a week to watch again. It was truly the best that is currently on tv for those of us who want a romantic drama. ABC should reconsider.

kate Mon, May 26, 2008 at 08:36 PM EST

I can't believe your cancelling October Road that is such a great show and Big Shots.. Wow that stinks.. Bring them back you have some fans here!!

Sandra Mon, May 19, 2008 at 05:37 PM EST

Where the hell have I been. I was just checking to see when October Road would be back on and I'm reading it's been cancelled. Are you kidding me!!!! There are so many boring and crappy shows on tv that shouldn't be on and they always cancel the good ones. What the hell is going on. I'm so pissed!!!!!!!

David Sat, May 17, 2008 at 12:14 AM EST

All that I care is that Scrubs is back!!

Ann Fri, May 16, 2008 at 11:43 PM EST

MEN IN TREES is my favorite and it is gone! BOO! And, after getting rid of October Road and Big Shots too? What is up ABC? TV is going down the tube (literally!) and you continue to cancel shows that keep viewers watching. At least Sundays are still the same with EHM, DH, and B&S. They are the best! You used to have a great Thursday with Ugly Betty, Grey's, and then Men in Trees. Isn't TV all about the viewers? The first rule of success is to give customers what they want or they will leave you! TAKE HEED!

Gwen Nolte Fri, May 16, 2008 at 10:59 PM EST

"Men In Trees" is my favorite show! It's one of the few on TV that has characters you can really care about. I'm absolutely sick about the cancellation! Maybe we fans can start a letter-writing campaign to bring it back.

Brenda Fri, May 16, 2008 at 01:23 PM EST

I can't believe October Road is history. Very sad! Most definitely one of our favs!

Kara Fri, May 16, 2008 at 12:05 PM EST

ABC annoys me soooo much. First they cancelled Once and Again, then they cancelled Invasion and now they more than likely cancelled October Road. I realize it could come back as a mid-season however they should have already booked it for it if it was a realistic chance. ABC doesn't know how to broadcast new shows and then pulls the plug on the shows that are actually worth watching. Meanwhile they let Grey's keep going down the toilet. ABC has jumped the shark again!

Richard Thu, May 15, 2008 at 12:14 PM EST

Who is watching all this reality trash which is bumping shows which might require the viewer to think or pay attention?

Thu, May 15, 2008 at 12:11 PM EST

October Road was an amazing show, I'm sooooo sad it's been cancelled. So many questions, no answers!

UPSET! Thu, May 15, 2008 at 07:50 AM EST

SERIOUSLY....no more October Road! Am I the only one who loved Owen Rowan, Physical Phil, Pizza Girl and the rest of the gang?! Now we'll never know if Eddie forgives his lady, or if Aubry and Nick's brother get together, or what happens with the impending wedding of Big Cat and Nick's true love! This is an much a slap in the face as the mid season departure of Daybreak! (STILL BITTER!) Let's see if NBC will take OR!!!!

Steph Wed, May 14, 2008 at 02:44 PM EST

Is Women's Murder Club really cancelled? Seriously? I love that show! Damn!
ABC, give it one more year, c'mon!!

Sam Wed, May 14, 2008 at 04:25 AM EST

I can't wait till Private Practice is back. Missing my weekly dose of the gorgeous Kate Walsh.

Simon fulller Wed, May 14, 2008 at 01:16 AM EST

http://americanidolexposed.weebly.com/

Gy! Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:40 PM EST

I will only watch Private Practice! Kate Walsh is the best actress ever! <3!

Francisco Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:00 PM EST

Scrubs is back! Awesome!

eddie Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:59 PM EST

Ummmmm. Commenter from above who posted the link that wrote- This is not the same lineup that is posted on tv.com
http://www.tv.com/story/9538.html

THAT ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN IN 2007. It is 2008. Happy New Year!

sara Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:44 PM EST

I love "Men in Trees" but if I didn't have Tivo it would have been hard to find - it was always changing days or times or being cancelled. And yet I'm not the only one disappointed that it's not being renewed.

Joy Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:16 PM EST

They cancelled Miss Guided too? I am floored. The show was very good. I seriously don't know what these people are thinking!

What is this about Women's Murder Club being cancelled? I thought the show had been picked up for a second year. Can anyone clarify this?

Thanks.

xyz Tue, May 13, 2008 at 08:56 PM EST

I will watch only Private Practice (and only because Tim Daly is in it, incredibly talented actor). I don't care about the rest.

Kathy Tue, May 13, 2008 at 08:07 PM EST

MEN IN TREES and OCTOBER ROAD are terrific shows, but they were always being interrupted or moved or stopped to let another new show start, etc. They are very well done shows and I wish that others will protest their demise and let ABC know we want those shows left on for next season. Thank you.

Katrina Tue, May 13, 2008 at 05:46 PM EST

Seriously axing October Road? That was the best drama out there. It was both serious and funny and they keep stupid shows like Super Nanny, Samantha Who, and Wife Swap? Thanks ABC, I'll only be watching because of Dancing With the Stars. You suck.

Caren Lee Tue, May 13, 2008 at 04:40 PM EST

Wow, there will only be 3 shows next year on ABC that I will watch. I watch like 11 shows on CBS and 6 shows on CW, and 7 shows on NBC, and 5 shows on Fox. ABC just doesn't have a good line-up at all. I like Lost, Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies. I really wish they would give Women's Murder Club a second chance - its the only show they have to compete with CBS's excellent line-up. I hope executives with the networks look at ALL the ratings - including Tivo, the DVRs from satellite and cable, the Online numbers as well as just the old-fashioned Neilsons. I tivo all my shows. And yes, if a commercial looks interesting, I will watch it.

Another Deb Tue, May 13, 2008 at 04:15 PM EST

Echoing Anna's comments, I'm curious about Life on Mars, too. The BBC version was excellent and I loved the actors. Phil Glenister and John Simm own the Gene and Sam roles in my opinion. But I'm sure I'll tune in and see what it's like.

Jack Tue, May 13, 2008 at 03:04 PM EST

Thank You ABC for keeping Eli Stone around. It's one of my favs and deserves another year to find an audience. Just keep it in the same day and time slot!

Maria Tue, May 13, 2008 at 03:04 PM EST

There is only 1 show on ABC that I watch. That is Women's Murder Club. I guess I won't be watching anything on ABC now. They kept Wife Swap and The Bachelor and cancelled Women's Murder Club!! How dumb can they be?! You have a show with 4 smart, strong women and you cancel it?! Stupid, stupid move.

To the visitor Tue, May 13, 2008 at 01:39 PM EST

Of course Lost is renewed, the end date has already been set for 2010. And word is they ARE giving the producers extra episodes next year.

Stephanie T. Tue, May 13, 2008 at 01:30 PM EST

Carpoolers got axed but not because of Bruce McCullough's writing.

pg Tue, May 13, 2008 at 01:20 PM EST

No one is mentioning Notes from the Underbelly. What a clever show that will be terribly missed by me. I hope they bring back Oct Rd mid season... and I'm SO sad about Big Shots also... They DO cancel every show I decide to like :(

thevisitor Tue, May 13, 2008 at 01:15 PM EST

I'm glad to hear that LOST and PUSHING DAISIES have been renewed. But because we lost episodes due to the writers' strike this past season, I think we should be given more for next season.

Deb Tue, May 13, 2008 at 01:08 PM EST

What about Women's Murder Club? I love that show!!!!!

Stephanie T. Tue, May 13, 2008 at 12:51 PM EST

They cancel "Miss-Guided" but keep "According to Jim". Yep it's official, ABC stands for the "All Brain Dead Channel". There once was a show that was similar to Jim but a heck of a lot funnier. It was called "Grounded for Life".

Lisa Tue, May 13, 2008 at 12:39 PM EST

I'm down to one show on ABC now. They cancel any show I remotely like, and keep the dreck. Look what they keep -- Super Nanny, Wife Swap, The Bachelor. Does anyone watch these shows? Look at the great shows they cancel -- Men in Trees, Miss Guided. Someone in programming needs to be FIRED.

Sam Tue, May 13, 2008 at 12:39 PM EST

Please put Lost back on it's normal night, Wednesday. I can't stand having it on Thursday. Every Wednesday is LOST DAY. I haven't been able to watch it since they moved it to Thursday night.

May Tue, May 13, 2008 at 12:09 PM EST

Big shots is for sure cancelled. =(

angelaP Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:58 AM EST

No Men in Trees, No Ugly Betty, and no October Road and you leave on crap like According to Jim and the Bachelor? SERIOUSLY!!!!! I'm done with ABC......HBO will get my viewership!

Phil Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:58 AM EST

To everyone complianing about OCTOBER ROAD, I am a fan, but I think y'all need to realize OCTOBER ROAD was never a FULL time on the air series, but was rather more of a MID SEASON replacement, with never the full 24 episode order. IF they want to put OCTOBER ROAD back on the air, I didn't expect to see it until a mid season replacement in 2009. USe your heads and think if you are actually fans of the show you should have already thought this...

lisa Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:26 AM EST

sounds good, one question does that mean women's club is on?? there are rumors that i'm not sure. big fan of the show

scscouter Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:21 AM EST

Wrong year.. nm..

scscouter Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:20 AM EST

This is not the same lineup that is posted on tv.com
http://www.tv.com/story/9538.html

cRAIG Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:10 AM EST

October Road deserved the ax (as does most of ABC's fall lineup). love(d) Scrubs, but its time has passed. Opportunity Knocks sounds horrible. and no thanks to ABC for keeping Boston Legal, According to Jim, Wife Swap and The Bachelor around...

Anna Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:08 AM EST

I'm not optimistic about the remake of Life on Mars. The BBC version is one of the best pieces of television I have ever seen. I don't see how the remake can be nearly as good.

Lorie Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:08 AM EST

ABC cancels WMC but keeps According to Jim?! Makes no sense!

Shaun Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:58 AM EST

ABC is becoming a pretty worthless network when it comes to getting new viewers. Women's Murder Club is like the ONLY female lead drama and they should stick with it. Procedurals don't always catch on right away, plus it's Angie Harmon!!! ABC is lucky they still have Ugly Betty, Grey's and Lost. Everything else is white bread boring.

WMCFAN Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:47 AM EST

Seems the strong women get the axe again! What a shame... they tried the time traveler already and he got the axe last season... now they are trying that again.. nuts!! I want the strong female leads back with Women's Murder Club! Smart women with a brain always better than some dumb man traveling around time!

Lisa Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:46 AM EST

We should petition ABC for October Road, or at least a 2hour movie to wrap up the stories.

lms Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:43 AM EST

HOW COULD ABC AX OCTOBER ROAD??? That is one of the most entertaining and sweet dramas on television. I am gonna quit watching things..everytime I find a show I like, it's axed.

Rob Grizzly Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:41 AM EST

I wish Lost was back on Wednesdays

patricia Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:38 AM EST

what about "Big Shots"?

junior Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:34 AM EST

Rachael, "Ugly Betty" will still be "Grey's" lead-in. Now what about "Cashmere Mafia" and "Notes from the Underbelly."

Kelly Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:14 AM EST

October Road got the axe? NO!!!!! I loved that show!

A.M. Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:08 AM EST

Miss Guided - are they keeping it on hold in case the new shows around Scrubs tank? If not, what a waste.

NineDaves Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:55 AM EST

what about miss guided?!?

kristie Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:47 AM EST

does that mean Bryan Greenburg will be going back to One Tree Hill??? Oh please, please???

Rachel Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:39 AM EST

What about Ugly Betty????!!!!!

EF Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:24 AM EST

According to Jim is the show that won't die.

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