ABC to get heavy on comedies

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - ABC appears poised to make some major scheduling moves next season now that network brass have picked up a slew of new comedy and drama series.

The network also has renewed a handful of shows that were thought to be on the fence, including comedies "Jake in Progress," "Less Than Perfect" and "Rodney," and reality hours "Wife Swap" and "Supernanny," sources said.

The network is set to reveal its 2005-06 season lineup to advertisers Tuesday in New York. Gone from the schedule are Damon Wayans' "My Wife & Kids," "8 Simple Rules," "Complete Savages" and two short-lived midseason dramas: "Blind Justice" and "Eyes."

Sources said network brass have given the green light to at least six new dramas and five new comedies for the coming season.

After hitting not one but three freshman drama home runs this past season with "Desperate Housewives," "Lost" and "Grey's Anatomy," ABC is staying aggressive on the hourlong front with an eclectic mix of drama pickups, which include the much-talked-about "Commander-in-Chief," starring Geena Davis as the first female president, and "Invasion," a spooky thriller about strange goings on in a Florida town after a hurricane.

"In Justice" revolves around crusading lawyers who represent the wrongly accused; "The Night Stalker" is a remake of the supernatural-themed 1970s series about a reporter who hunts down stories about unexplained phenomena; "The Evidence" is a procedural crime drama; and "What About Brian" is a lighter offering revolving around a thirtysomething single guy and his married friends.

On the comedy front, ABC likes "Hot Properties," about four women who work in a real estate office; "Freddie," which stars Freddie Prinze Jr. as a man who finds himself unexpectedly living with the women who raised him; "Crumbs," which stars Fred Savage and Eddie McClintock as brothers who are forced to work together; "Emily's Reasons Why Not," starring Heather Graham as a professional woman who's unlucky in her love life; and "Sons and Daughters," about grown siblings and their families.

With all the new series that got the green light, industry observers were surprised that ABC picked up so many of its existing half-hours, a list that also includes "Hope & Faith" and "George Lopez."

With all those half-hours on deck, ABC is sure to field a comedy-heavy lineup next season. Sources said that ABC was leaning toward scheduling comedies from 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, where it has scored this season with drama "Lost," and possibly 8-9 p.m. on Thursday, in addition to sticking with 8-10 p.m. comedy blocks on Tuesday and Friday.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

[Still Dirrty]

No more 8 Simple Rules. So sad. I love that show.

[solo1]

I love that show too! I like what happened when David Spade joined the cast.