ABC to Add ‘Incorrect’ to Late-Night Lineup in ’97

“Politically Incorrect,” the irreverent talk show hosted by comedian Bill Maher that currently airs on Comedy Central, will move to ABC’s late-night schedule in January 1997, ABC Entertainment President Ted Harbert confirmed Thursday.

Addressing a gathering of national television writers in Pasadena, Harbert said that “Politically Incorrect” would air following “Nightline” five nights a week and would provide the network with “the most potent late-night lineup in all of television.”

Harbert praised Maher, whom he described as a genius in manipulating and talking with his guests from the world of politics, journalism and entertainment, who discuss topical issues on the show.

The series, which recently moved from New York to Los Angeles, will continue to air on Comedy Central through the end of 1996.

Harbert also expressed enthusiasm for a midseason police drama from producer-director Steven Spielberg that he said would start airing in mid-March. The series, “High Incident,” chronicles the adventures of officers in four squad cars in suburban Los Angeles and is being produced by Spielberg’s production company, DreamWorks SKG.

Although Harbert continued to express support for Steven Bochco’s struggling legal drama, “Murder One,” he declined to guarantee that it will stay on the air the rest of the season. The series, which is tracking a single murder case for an entire season, returned Monday night to disappointing ratings after being taken off the schedule last November after it was trounced by NBC’s “ER” on Thursday nights.

However, Harbert said that ABC’s plan at the moment is to continue the show, adding that it kept a great portion of its lead-in audience.

Meanwhile, the network is in negotiations with the Carsey-Werner production company to produce an eighth season of “Roseanne.” The star of the show, Roseanne, has wavered recently about her earlier announcements that this would be the comedy’s last season. John Goodman, who plays her husband, recently said he would not return if it is renewed.

Harbert said he feels that “Roseanne” would still be a “terrific show” even without Goodman’s involvement.