ABC dumps 2 unscripted series

Poor ratings have killed off two of ABC’s highly publicized unscripted series. “Are You Hot? The Search for America’s Sexiest People,” which has been off the air the last two weeks because of war coverage, will show both its semifinals and finals April 5. The network has also yanked “Profiles From the Front Line,” the real-life military series from producer Jerry Bruckheimer that chronicled U.S. soldiers fighting in Afghanistan last year. That show’s last broadcast was March 11.

However, another struggling series, “The Family,” which has been pulled from the schedule, will get a second chance. The series, in which family members compete for $1 million, will be re-launched this summer with “a full-court press,” network executives said. Previously aired episodes will be shown along with some not-yet-seen installments.

Meanwhile, Fox’s Tuesday night remained strong with “American Idol” drawing almost 20 million viewers. And “24,” the espionage-laced drama that returned after a three-week hiatus, attracted more than 12 million viewers.