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ABC's 2010/2011 schedule

Out Of My Vulcan Mind

Vice Admiral
Admiral
(New shows in bold)

MONDAY

8:00 p.m. Dancing with the Stars
10:00 p.m. Castle

TUESDAY

8:00 p.m. No Ordinary Family
9:00 p.m. Dancing with the Stars the Results Show
10:00 p.m. Detroit 1-8-7

WEDNESDAY

8:00 p.m. The Middle
8:30 p.m. Better Together
9:00 p.m. Modern Family
9:30 p.m. Cougar Town
10:00 p.m. The Whole Truth

THURSDAY
8:00 p.m. My Generation
9:00 p.m. Grey’s Anatomy
10:00 p.m. Private Practice

FRIDAY

8:00 p.m. Secret Millionaire
9:00 p.m.Body of Proof
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

NEW FALL AND MIDSEASON SERIES


DRAMA

BODY OF PROOF

Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) was in a class of her own, a brilliant neurosurgeon at the top of her game. But her world is turned upside down when a devastating car accident puts an end to her time in the operating room. Megan resumes her career as a medical examiner, determined to solve the puzzle of who or what killed the victims. Her instincts are sharp, but she’s developed a reputation for graying the lines of where her job ends and where the police department’s begins. It turns out her career isn’t the only thing that will need to be rebuilt; Megan’s family has taken a backseat to her ambition, and now she’s discovering there’s a lot of work to do when it comes to dissecting her relationships with the living. Dana Delany stars as Dr. Megan Hunt, Jeri Ryan as Dr. Kate Murphy, Geoffrey Arend as Dr. Elliot Gross, John Carroll Lynch as Detective Bud Morris, Windell Middlebrooks as Dr. Curtis Brumfield, Nic Bishop as Peter Dunlap and Sonja Sohn as Detective Samantha Baker. “Body of Proof” is from ABC Studios. Christopher Murphey wrote the pilot, which was directed by Nelson McCormick. Murphey and Matt Gross serve as executive producers.

“DETROIT 1-8-7”


What does it take to be a detective on America’s most dangerous streets? Get ready to be part of the action when a documentary crew rolls with some of Detroit’s finest, offering an insider’s glimpse behind the curtain of a Homicide Unit. The cameras unearth the crisis and revelation, heartbreak and heroism of these inner city cops -- moments of raw exposure when they address us directly, as well as private moments when they forget they’re being filmed. There’s the damaged but driven Detective Louis Fitch, a wily homicide vet who is the most respected -- and most misunderstood -- man in the division; Detective Damon Washington, Fitch’s new partner, who finds the first day on the job is a trial by fire, complicated by the imminent birth of his first child; Detective Ariana Sanchez, sexy, edgy and beautiful, who has emerged from a rough background to become a rising star in the department; Narcotics undercover cop John Stone, a streetwise smooth talker, clever and quick with a smile made for the movies, who is teamed with Sanchez -- a combustible pairing rife with conflict and sexual tension; Sergeant Jesse Longford, a 30-year veteran struggling with his impending retirement from the force and the city he loves, who, together with his partner, Detective Aman Mahajan -- a fully Americanized son of Indian immigrants -- form an amusing mismatch of experience and enthusiasm, intellect and instinct, old school and new world, but whose combined skills have never encountered a case that couldn’t be cleared; and all are headed by Lieutenant Maureen Mason, a strong-willed single mom struggling to balance home and work. “Detroit 1-8-7” stars Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos”) as Detective Louis Fitch, Jon Michael Hill as Detective Damon Washington, James McDaniel (“NYPD Blue”) as Sergeant Jesse Longford, Aisha Hinds (“True Blood”) as Lieutenant Maureen Mason, Natalie Martinez as Detective Ariana Sanchez, D.J. Cotrona as Detective John Stone and Shaun Majumder as Detective Aman Mahajan. The series is produced by ABC Studios. The pilot was written by Jason Richman. Executive producers are Richman, David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and David Zabel. Jeff Nachmanoff directed the pilot.

“MY GENERATION”


What a difference ten years can make. In 2000, a documentary crew follows a disparate group of high schoolers from Greenbelt High School in Austin, TX as they prepare for graduation, then revisits these former classmates ten years later as they return home to rediscover that just because they’re not where they planned doesn’t mean they’re not right where they need to be. These students couldn't wait to graduate and head out into the real world. But the world they were entering got very real very fast. As these classmates return home to revisit their old hopes for their future, they'll discover that, even if you don't get exactly what you thought you wanted out of life, it’s not too late to get what you need. “My Generation” stars Michael Stahl David as Steven, Kelli Garner as Dawn, Jaime King as Jacqueline, Keir O’Donnell as Kenneth, Sebastian Sozzi as Falcon, Mechad Brooks as Rolly, Anne Son as Caroline, Daniella Alonso as Brenda and Julian Morris as Anders. “My Generation” was created and written by Noah Hawley (“The Unusuals,” “Bones”), who is also an executive producer, along with Warren Littlefield, Henrik Bastin, Patrick Magnasson and Martin Piersson. Craig Gillespie directed the pilot. The project is from ABC Studios.

“NO ORDINARY FAMILY”


The Powells are about to go from ordinary to extraordinary. After 16 years of marriage, Jim and Stephanie’s relationship lacks the spark it once had, and their family life now consists of balancing work and their two children, leaving little time for family bonding. During a family vacation set up by Jim in an attempt to reconnect, their plane crashes into the Amazon River. But this is where the fun starts for the Powells, as they soon discover that something’s not quite right. Each of them now possesses unique and distinct superpowers. But saving and savoring their family life will be equally important, as they try to find purpose for their new powers and embark on a journey to find out what defines and unifies them. The Powells are a totally relatable family who happen to be a little bit amazing. Michael Chiklis (“The Shield”) stars as Jim Powell, Julie Benz (“Dexter”) as Stephanie Powell, Romany Malco (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) as George St. Cloud, Tate Donovan (“Damages”) as Mitch McCutcheon, Autumn Reeser as Katie Andrews, Christina Chang as Yvonne Cho, Kay Panabaker as Daphne Powell and Jimmy Bennett as JJ Powell. The pilot was written and executive-produced by Jon Feldman. The series is executive-produced by Feldman, Greg Berlanti, Morgan Wandell and David Semel, who also directed the pilot. Joe Hartwick, Jr. serves as producer. “No Ordinary Family” is from ABC Studios.

“OFF THE MAP”

Executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers (“Grey's Anatomy,” “Private Practice”) and creator Jenna Bans (“Grey's Anatomy”) bring you an uplifting medical drama that explores how far you have to go to truly heal. Welcome to “la ciudad de las estrellas” (the city of stars), a tiny town in the South American jungle which has one understaffed, under-stocked medical clinic. That’s where idealistic young Dr. Lily Brenner just landed, along with fellow doctors Mina Minard and Manny Diaz. All of these young doctors are running away from personal demons, but they aren’t the only ones with emotional baggage. Take the legendary and enigmatic Ben Keeton, who was the youngest Chief of Surgery at UCLA. He walked away from it all to found the clinic. Together with his right-hand doctor, Otis Cole, he’ll teach these newcomers how to save lives in the most challenging environment they’ve ever worked in. “Off the Map” stars Martin Henderson as Ben Keeton, Caroline Dhavernas as Lily Brenner, Enrique Murciano as Manny Diaz, Mamie Gummer as Mina Minard, Jason George as Otis Cole, Valerie Cruz as Zita (Zee) and Jose Julian as Charlie. “Off the Map” is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, and created/executive-produced by Jenna Bans. The series is from ABC Studios.

“THE WHOLE TRUTH”


This unique legal drama chronicles the way a case is built from the perspective of both the defense and prosecution. Showing each side equally keeps the audience guessing, shifting allegiances and opinions on guilt or innocence until the very final scene. Kathryn Peale, the product of a New England background and a sheriff father, is the Deputy Bureau Chief in the New York State District Attorney's office. Jimmy Brogan, born and raised in Hell's Kitchen and a friend of Kathryn's since their days at Yale Law School, is one of New York's rising criminal attorney stars. Buoyed by their respective teams, these evenly matched lawyers — each with a strong streak of competitiveness, a fervent belief in their clients and an equally intense passion for the law — go about creating two different stories from the same set of facts. As this up-close, behind-the-scenes look at the legal process mirrors the excitement of a championship match, it becomes evident that truth has nothing to do with innocence or guilt — at the end of every trial, the only thing that matters is what the jury believes. “The Whole Truth” stars Rob Morrow (“Numb3rs”) as Jimmy Brogan, Joely Richardson (“Nip/Tuck”) as Kathryn Peale, Eamonn Walker (“Oz”) as Sr. ADA Terrence “Edge” Edgecomb, Sean Wing as Chad Griffin, Anthony Ruivivar as Alejo Salazar and Christine Adams as Lena Boudreaux. The series is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television. The pilot was written and co-executive produced by Tom Donaghy, and the executive producers are Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman. Alex Graves was executive producer and director for the pilot, and KristieAnne Reed serves as a co-executive producer.

COMEDY


“BETTER TOGETHER”

Maddie and Ben have been dating for nine years. They know each other inside and out, a relationship marked by contentment and affection, seeing their commitment to one another as a “valid life choice,” something they proclaim often — and often loudly. Maddie’s younger sister, Mia, has been dating Casey for seven weeks. With a shared c’est la vie attitude, Mia and Casey are smitten with each other, and thrilled to explore the oh-so-many things they don’t know about each other yet. But when they announce they’re getting married and having a baby, it’s news that throws Maddie for a loop. Surprisingly, the girls’ parents, Vicky and Joel, couldn’t be more pleased. Married 35 years, they have recently adopted a carpe diem sort of philosophy, rather like Mia’s, maybe because they’re getting older and lost a good portion of their savings when the economy tanked. With three very different relationships tightly intertwined in one family, will it be free thinkers vs. over-thinkers, or will each couple begin to see things a little bit differently? “Better Together” stars JoAnna Garcia as Mia, Jennifer Finnigan as Maddie, Josh Cooke as Ben, Jake Lacy as Casey, with Kurt Fuller as Joel and Debra Jo Rupp as Vicky. The series is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Silver and Gold Productions and Warner Bros. Television. Shana Goldberg-Meehan is executive producer and writer. The pilot was directed by James Burrows.

“HAPPY ENDINGS”


Forget who gets to keep the ring – when a couple splits, the real question is, who gets to keep the friends? In this modern comedy, a couple’s break-up will complicate all of their friends’ lives and make everyone question their choices. When life throws you for a curve, hold on tight to the people you love. Every circle of friends has someone who’s the gravitational center. For years, perfect couple Dave and Alex drew their friends in and held them together. Now that they’ve split, does this group have the stuff to stay together? Or do Max, Brad, Jane and Penny have to choose sides? Suddenly every event is a negotiation… like, who gets to go on the annual ski trip? There are a lot of big questions to be answered, but this group has been together so long, somehow, little by little, they’ll figure out how to hold on, even though their center is split up. It helps that Dave and Alex have agreed to stay friends. But there will definitely be other complications down the road – like Penny’s long-suppressed feelings for Dave. What is the waiting period for dating a friend’s ex? This show isn’t afraid to ask the embarrassing personal questions that inevitably arise in every long-term, close-knit group of friends. “Happy Endings” stars Elisha Cuthbert (“24”) as Alex, Eliza Coupe as Jane, Zachary Knighton as Dave, Adam Pally as Max, Damon Wayans, Jr. as Brad and Casey Wilson as Penny. From executive producers Jamie Tarses, Jonathan Groff, Anthony & Joe Russo, and co-executive producer David Caspe, “Happy Endings” examines the complex network of long-term friendships. The pilot was written by David Caspe and directed by Anthony & Joe Russo. The series is from Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.

“MR. SUNSHINE”


Matthew Perry stars as Ben Donovan, the self-involved manager of a second-rate San Diego sports arena who begins to re-evaluate his life on his 40th birthday. Working alongside him is his boss and arena owner, Crystal -- attractive, powerful and highly erratic; Alice -- the cute, tomboyish marketing director and Ben’s friend with benefits; Alonzo – a former basketball player, handsome and unbelievably happy; Ben’s assistant, Heather – pretty, sweet, but terrifying because she once lit a boyfriend on fire; Crystal’s son, Roman – sweet-faced, clueless and Ben’s newest employee; and a hapless operations crew whom Ben refers to collectively as the “Steves.” “Mr. Sunshine” stars Matthew Perry (“Friends”) as Ben, Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) as Crystal, Andrea Anders as Alice, James Lesure as Alonzo, Nate Torrence as Roman and Portia Doubleday as Heather. Matthew Perry, Alex Barnow, Marc Firek, Jamie Tarses and Thomas Schlamme are executive producers. The Pilot was written by Matthew Perry and Alex Barnow & Marc Firek and directed by Thomas Schlamme. “Mr. Sunshine” is a Matthew Perry Production, Shoe Money Production, Barnow and Firek Production and FanFare Production, in association with Sony Pictures Television.
 
Do they just re-use these ideas every year and just do a Search and Replace on the names ?
 
ABC's scripted shows for 2010/2011 in order of longevity:

One-hour

Desperate Housewives - 7th season
Grey's Anatomy - 7th season
Brothers & Sisters - 5th season
Private Practice - 4th season
Castle - 3rd season
V - 2nd season
Body of Proof - 1st season
Detroit 187 - 1st season
My Generation - 1st season
No Ordinary Family - 1st season
Off the Map - 1st season
The Whole Truth - 1st season

V will be held back until November until they have enough episodes to avoid the disjointed airing pattern it had this season. ABC also has three one-hour dramas premiering this summer: The Gates, Scoundrels, and Rookie Blue.

Half-hour

Cougar Town - 2nd season
The Middle - 2nd season
Modern Family - 2nd season
Better Together - 1st season
Happy Endings - 1st season
Mr. Sunshine - 1st season

ABC shows cancelled or ending this season:

One-hour

Lost - 6 seasons
Ugly Betty - 4 seasons
The Deep End - 1 season
Eastwick - 1 season
FlashForward - 1 season
The Forgotten - 1 season
Happy Town - 1 season

Half-hour

Scrubs - 9 seasons
Better Off Ted - 2 seasons
Hank - 1 season
Romantically Challenged - 1 season
 
Last edited:
ABC's scripted shows for 2010/2011 in order of longevity:

One-hour

Desperate Housewives - 7th season
Grey's Anatomy - 7th season
Brothers & Sisters - 5th season
Castle - 3rd season
V - 2nd season
Body of Proof - 1st season
Detroit 187 - 1st season
My Generation - 1st season
No Ordinary Family - 1st season
Off the Map - 1st season
The Whole Truth - 1st season

You left out Private Practice.
 
Do they just re-use these ideas every year and just do a Search and Replace on the names ?

Sure seems like it, doesn't it? Not just a problem with ABC but with all other American broadcast networks too.
 
I have the feeling ABC is going the way of NBC with the way that network is currently run...

Monday nights is safe

Tuesday nights problem is the 10pm audience will probably be so incompatiable with DWTS it will fail and 8pm might do ok until Idol returns.

Wednesdays will see Coguar Town waste Modern Family's lead in while The Middle who would fit the 9:30 slot continues to be left to rot at 8pm.

Thursday night will see My Generation get crushed by Bones because nothing can seem to dent that audience from the FOX drama.

Friday's will fail because its Fridays and all the shows on Sunday will do ok but will erode from one year ago.
 
I actually think the is the best looking set of new shows. I'm interested in seeing what CBS is gonna do now.
 
No Ordinary Family sounds fun - but I'm not seeing the immediate 'grabber' to keep the audience watching long term. Otherwise, it's just a big undifferentiated mass of sameness...

V will be held back until November until they have enough episodes to avoid the disjointed airing pattern it had this season.

By which time everyone will have forgotten it exists and it will tank in the ratings for good.
 
ABC has the highest hopes for No Ordinary Family and My Generation. I think No Ordinary Family has a good shot at success. It's got a very appealing cast and a clear premise that allows for a good mix of humor and drama. Superhero shows also have a decent track record at getting renewed on the broadcast networks. The genre has of course seen some first season cancellations (like The Flash, MANTIS, and Birds of Prey), but it's seen more renewals than some other SFF sub-genres.
 
I'll definitely check out No Ordinary Family. Actually I think that's the only new Fall show I'll care about (Terra Nova is mid-season).
 
It's got a very appealing cast and a clear premise that allows for a good mix of humor and drama.
I'll code this since it might be a 'surprise plot twist' in the premiere.

They leave Tate Donovan, the pilot from the Amazon trip, at the crash site assuming he's dead. But...he's not! He's got superpowers and he wants revenge! Bwahaha!

Because a cool actor like Tate Donovan is in that role, I think it could work for a while, but not long-term. After one season, it'll get old. Then what are they going to do? Family angst because of superpowers really isn't something you can build a long-term story around. The premise has potential but they need to evolve that potential. I hope this isn't going to be Heroes all over again - a situation in search of a premise that is never found.
 
Happy Endings sounds like it has possibilities.

The Whole Truth kinda reminds me of a short-lived FOX series that I really liked-- The Jury. I like that idea of a legal drama where you really don't know the whole story. One thing I liked about both The Jury and Justice (another short-lived FOX series) was the bit at the end after the verdict where they gave us an omniscient view of what really happened. The jury got it wrong about as often as they got it right, it seemed. If they do it right, I expect I'll really enjoy The Whole Truth.

Off the Map sounds like crap but I'll have to give it a shot since Caroline Dhavernas is the star. I've been begging the TV gods to give her a new series ever since FOX canned Wonderfalls after only 4 episodes.

No Ordinary Family kinda sounds like a superhero version of the new J.J. Abrams series Undercovers. I'm skeptical but I liked Michael Chiklis in the Fantastic Four movies and I've been in love with Julie Benz ever since Angel. (I dare anyone to watch her since "Ill Wind" in "The Trial" and not fall in love at least a little.)

Body of Proof sounds like the latest result from the computerized crime drama generator.
 
Let's play the "how long does it take to get bored even of the preview clip" game, ABC edition! :D

Better Together
- First joke: BAD! (Was that even a joke?) Zapped at 8 seconds.

Body of Proof - They kept me going for a bit, till the stupid medical jargon bored me. Zapped at 34 seconds.

Detroit 1-8-7 - I liked the music and the "assembly line" line was okay. But do I want to watch Yet Another Cop Show? Nah. Zapped at 28 seconds.

Happy Endings - Well, it has energy I guess, but too samey samey. Zapped at 42 seconds.

Mr Sunshine - Matthew Perry and Alison Janney kept me watching for a bit, but some guy having a midlife crisis is about the most boring topic for a show I can imagine. Zapped at 43 seconds.

My Generation
- Sorry, producers, it is a reality show. And a gratingly pretentious one at that. Zapped at 45 seconds.

No Ordinary Family - We have a winner, I got all the way through! For better or worse, it seems very much like Heroes - superpowers befall nice people who are not prepared - but it's not quite a premise yet. And compared with the way Heroes started it does seem a bit...mundane. :wtf: This is like "what would Heroes have been like if Matt Parkman and his family were the only characters?" Uh. Here's hoping it finds its way fast.

Off the Map - Ehh, not too bad. At least it's different. I liked the "Armani" kid. Still, didn't quite do it for me. Zapped at 1 minute, 16 seconds.

Secret Millionaire - I'm sure they mean well, but it comes off as gratingly self-congratulatory. Zapped at 1 minute, 8 seconds.

The Whole Truth - Yet Another Lawyer Show, yeesh, Zapped at 13 seconds.
 
Mr Sunshine - Matthew Perry and Alison Janney kept me watching for a bit, but some guy having a midlife crisis is about the most boring topic for a show I can imagine. Zapped at 43 seconds.


Two great people being wasted on a show. That's Matthew Perry for you, wastes his time on bad shows, Friends, Studio 60 and now this.

I love Alison Janney!
 
Because a cool actor like Tate Donovan is in that role, I think it could work for a while, but not long-term. After one season, it'll get old. Then what are they going to do? Family angst because of superpowers really isn't something you can build a long-term story around. The premise has potential but they need to evolve that potential. I hope this isn't going to be Heroes all over again - a situation in search of a premise that is never found.
If it's a multi-season show they need to have the courage to do what Heroes didn't: bring the storyline of the big bad to closure at the end of the season and introduce a new big bad each season.

And I disagree about the premise. I think it's a strong one for an ongoing series. Just as Buffy the Vampire Slayer looked at the stages of a young person's life - high school, college, early work life - through superhero tropes, No Ordinary Family could do the same for family life. There's a lot of potential there if the writing is strong. Undercovers, on the other hand, may be fun for a while, but it could be tough to prolong the show based on its premise (couple inject new life into their marriage from the buzz of getting back into the spy game together).
 
If it's a multi-season show they need to have the courage to do what Heroes didn't: bring the storyline of the big bad to closure at the end of the season and introduce a new big bad each season.
They also need to make the lead characters interesting and come up with interesting plot arcs that aren't just "fight this season's big bad," which will get old fast, regardless of the charisma of the actor playing the big bad. Chiklis has a lot of charm, but the Mom and two kids, I really dunno. The teen girl in particular seems downright obnoxious.

Maybe they should just start hiring some of the better Heroes actors like Pasdar and Quinto as guest stars and let them muscle their way into regular status. :rommie:
And I disagree about the premise. I think it's a strong one for an ongoing series. Just as Buffy the Vampire Slayer looked at the stages of a young person's life - high school, college, early work life - through superhero tropes, No Ordinary Family could do the same for family life.
That will be very tricky to pull off in a way that doesn't fall back on standard cliches. Oh no, the girl is on her first date, and can read her date's mind, and slaps him - he's confused! He didn't do or say anything! If they can avoid that kind of mindless writing, then they could do okay.

And the charisma of the actors is also going to be key - if we don't care about the actors in those roles, we won't care about them learning to deal with their powers etc etc. It's the Maya & Alejandro problem. For starters, we need actors who can make us care.

Other than hoping they did the casting right, the key is to give the characters personalities - they can't just be types. Big, gruff dad; sweet mom; bitchy teen daughter; nerdy pre-teen son. If each is an interesting individual, that could help a lot.
 
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