Hollywood reporter has WB ABC new shows
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ABC revamps; WB gets eclectic
By Nellie Andreeva and Cynthia Littleton
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - ABC was plotting an extensive makeover of its
primetime lineup during the weekend, while the WB Network was looking at more
modest changes to accommodate an eclectic batch of new series.
Both networks will present their 2003-04 lineups to advertisers Tuesday in New
York.
On the comedy side, ABC has picked up the Faith Ford-Kelly Ripa starrer "Hope
and Faith," "It's All Relative," "The Big House" and an untitled Tom Hertz
sitcom for midseason.
Sources said ABC was planning to revive its "TGIF" family-friendly branding
initiative for its Friday night lineup, with some new additions anchored by
returning comedies "George Lopez" and "Life With Bonnie." There also was talk
that the "Wonderful World of Disney" TV movie showcase would move from the
Sunday 7-9 p.m. berth, possibly to Saturday.
ABC's drama pickups include "10-8," a police ensemble project with Danny Nucci;
"Karen Sisco," a female marshal vehicle derived from the 1998 feature "Out of
Sight"; and the homeland security-themed "Threat Matrix." ABC already gave a
13-episode order to the drama "Line of Fire" (formerly "Lines of Duty"), which
sources said may now be held for midseason. "The DA," starring Steven Weber,
also has a shot at a midseason order, sources said.
And at long last the jury has returned on "The Practice." David E. Kelley's
Emmy-winning drama has been picked up for an eighth season after lengthy
negotiations between the network and producer 20th Century Fox TV. Sources said
the deal calls for the network to cut the show's license fee by at least half
-- ABC had been paying an estimated $6.5 million per episode -- but the show is
guaranteed a return to its old Sunday 10 p.m. time slot after suffering through
a disastrous move to Monday 9 p.m. in late January.
Also making the cut is the Dick Wolf remake of "Dragnet," which inherited
"Practice's" Sunday 10 p.m. slot for its debut but is now believed to be headed
to a tougher neighborhood, Saturday 10 p.m. One veteran ABC series that isn't
expected to return in the fall is "The Drew Carey Show," which had been picked
up for this season under a two-season deal struck in 2001. Sources said the
network and producer Warner Bros. TV were discussing the possibility of a
summer 2004 run for the show or a buyout of ABC's obligation to the studio.
Over at the WB Network, sources said the drama pickups were the adventure drama
"Tarzan and Jane" and the female FBI agent drama "Fearless," starring Rachael
Leigh Cook.
Its comedy picks are three domestic-themed vehicles: "All About the Andersons,"
starring Anthony Anderson; "Like Family," about a mother and her 16-year-son
who move in with her best friend; and "Run of the House," about a teenage girl
being raised by her three older siblings. A half-hour variety show hosted by
Steve Harvey also is has been ordered, sources said.
The high-school drama "One Tree Hill" has been given a midseason order along
with an untitled project about a 19-year-old mayor; "The Help," a look at a
wealthy family and their staff; and the reality project "Make My Day."
Midseason contenders are "Gilmore Girls" spinoff, contingent on finding a
showrunner, "Other People's Business" and "Sixteen to Life." The WB's freshman
comedy "What I Like About You" got a second season pickup, while "JKX: The
Jamie Kennedy Experiment" was renewed for a third year.
The big news on the scheduling front was the possibility of hit "Smallville"
moving to Wednesday 8 p.m., with newcomer "Fearless" taking its old 9 p.m.
Tuesday slot. "Tarzan & Jane" may land Sunday 9 p.m. after "Charmed." The WB is
expected to stock Thursday and Friday with comedies.
Fox, which unveils its lineup to advertisers on Thursday, has ordered three new
comedies for fall: "Arrested Development," a domestic sitcom starring Portia de
Rossi and Jason Bateman; "Luis," toplined by Luis Guzman; and the Norm
Macdonald starrer "A Minute With Stan Hooper."
Additionally, "Wanda at Large" has been picked up for a second season, while
the comedy pilot "Cracking Up" has been given a midseason order. "Boston
Public" had been on the bubble but has been renewed, sources said.
Two new dramas are expected to bow on Fox in the fall: "Skin," a contemporary
"Romeo and Juliet," starring Ron Silver as an adult-film mogul, and the
time-travel project "True Calling," toplined by Eliza Dushku. They're joining
the previously picked-up new dramas "The O.C." and "Wonder Falls," which are
expected to get an early launch in the summer.
The family drama "Still Life," told through the eyes of the family's deceased
son, has been picked up for midseason, sources said. A Fox spokesman declined
to comment Sunday.
At CBS, the police drama "The Unsolved," the Charlie Sheen comedy "Two and a
Half Men" and the "JAG" spinoff are all expected to get on the schedule.
Sources speculated that "Two and a Half Men" may get the post-"Everybody Loves
Raymond" Monday 9:30 p.m. time slot, with "Still Standing" moving to 8:30 p.m.
and "Yes, Dear" opening the night at 8 p.m. The network's 8 p.m. comedy "The
King of Queens" is rumored to anchor another comedy block, possibly on
Wednesday or Sunday.
Also said to be in contention at CBS are the comedies "The Stones" and the
untitled Nicole Sullivan project and drama "Joan of Arcadia." CBS unveils its
schedule Wednesday.
Reuters/VNU
Linda
Fearless is a piece of crap,if we are to believe a reporter from
Zentertainment.com,who went on location where the pilot was being
shot.I'm not impressed with The WB new lineup.
David
><< WB's are for subscribers only. Anyone have the info? >>
>
>
>ABC revamps; WB gets eclectic
>
>By Nellie Andreeva and Cynthia Littleton
>And at long last the jury has returned on "The Practice." David E. Kelley's
>Emmy-winning drama has been picked up for an eighth season after lengthy
>negotiations between the network and producer 20th Century Fox TV.
The horses may have left the barn on this one. You can't break
peoples' habits and then expect them to come back to Sundays at 10.
>Also making the cut is the Dick Wolf remake of "Dragnet," which inherited
>"Practice's" Sunday 10 p.m. slot for its debut but is now believed to be headed
>to a tougher neighborhood, Saturday 10 p.m.
You gotta hand it to them, they're trying.
>Sources speculated that "Two and a Half Men" may get the post-"Everybody Loves
>Raymond" Monday 9:30 p.m. time slot, with "Still Standing" moving to 8:30 p.m.
>and "Yes, Dear" opening the night at 8 p.m. The network's 8 p.m. comedy "The
>King of Queens" is rumored to anchor another comedy block, possibly on
>Wednesday or Sunday.
Interesting move. "Yes, Dear" has proven before that it can't anchor
an hour, and I'm not sure I'll be watching it as much without "King of
Queens" leading into it. And "Still Standing" never caught on with me
so at least from my perspective CBS had blown a hole in what was
always a solid line-up.