You would think, with all the buzz surrounding its big marquee dramas, that ABC would not have much work to do in drawing up a new schedule. But ABC’s lineup is a little like a Central American oligarchy: there is a tiny elite, a vast underclass and not much in between. Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Lost live in mansions atop a shining hill of ratings, while the likes of According to Jim and Less Than Perfect barbecue rats in the vast shantytowns of the Nielsen valley.
To build on its drama hits–especially, to boost its nonexistent stable of comedy hits–ABC announced twelve new shows this morning, six of one (sitcoms) and half a dozen of the other (dramas). Likely to generate the most talk is Let’s Rob, a sitcom about thieves who try to burglarize the home of Mick Jagger, who will make recurring appearances in the show. The sitcom, whose plot unfolds over a whole season, will not have Jagger’s name in the title, suggesting, perhaps, an American Idol rotation of guest victims in future seasons. (Barry Manilow! Please!)
The 2006-07 schedule, cribbed from ABC’s press release, follows; Tuned In will report on the ABC presentation and advertiser schmooze later tonight.
MONDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Wife Swap”
9:00 p.m. “The Bachelor”/”Supernanny”
10:00 p.m. “What About Brian”
TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars” (new night)/”Set for the Rest
of Your Life” (new alternative series)
9:00 p.m. “Let’s Rob…” (new comedy series)
9:30 p.m. “Help Me Help You” (new comedy series)
10:00 p.m. “Boston Legal”
WEDNESDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars” (new night)/”George Lopez”/
“According to Jim” (new night)
9:00 p.m. “Lost”
10:00 p.m. “The Nine” (new drama series)
THURSDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Big Day” (new comedy series)
8:30 p.m. “Notes from the Underbelly” (new comedy series)
9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy” (new night and time)
10:00 p.m. “Six Degrees” (new drama series)
FRIDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Betty the Ugly” (new comedy series)
9:00 p.m. “Men in Trees” (new drama series)
10:00 p.m. “20/20”
SATURDAY: 8:00 p.m. “ABC 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 drama series)