At ABC, things aren’t so desperate
This week in New York, broadcast networks begin unveiling their fall season schedules to advertisers. It’s the kickoff of the biggest event of the year in the television business -- known as the “upfronts” -- when advertisers are urged to buy prime-time commercial spots before the 2005-06 season begins.
Buoyed by top hits shows, such as “Desperate Housewives,” “Lost,” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC hopes to pull out a few more gems in the coming season. It will present to advertisers today.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. May 18, 2005 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday May 18, 2005 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 43 words Type of Material: Correction
“The Office” -- The Prime-Time Preview chart in Tuesday’s Calendar section said the NBC series “The Office” would be moving to the 9:30-10 p.m. Tuesday slot in the fall. In fact, that’s the time slot in which the series was airing most recently.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday May 21, 2005 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 2 inches; 85 words Type of Material: Correction
NBC prime-time preview -- A chart in Tuesday’s Calendar section summarizing new shows and scheduling changes in NBC’s fall lineup failed to indicate the fate of a number of current shows. “Scrubs” and “Fear Factor” remain unscheduled but will return at some point in the new season. “American Dreams,” “Law & Order: Trial by Jury” and “The Contender” were canceled. Other shows dropped since last fall include “Father of the Pride,” “Hawaii,” “Last Comic Standing,” “LAX” and “Third Watch.” The future of “Revelations” remains unclear.
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WHAT’S NEW
Title: Description
“What About Brian?”: A contemporary tale about friends in Los Angeles; from “Lost” executive producer J.J. Abrams
“Invasion”: A drama about aliens that take over Earth. From producers Shaun Cassidy and Thomas Schlamme.
“The Evidence”: A crime procedural set in San Francisco, with Martin Landau.
“Commander-
in-Chief”: Geena Davis stars as the first female U.S. president.
“In Justice”: A series about a legal team that works on criminal appeals.
“Crumbs”: A zany sitcom about a crazed WASP family, starring Jane Curtin and William Devane.
“Hot Properties”: A comedy about female real estate agents in Manhattan and their travails with work and romance.
“Freddie”: Freddie Prinze Jr. plays a young chef on the make; from producers of “The Drew Carey Show.”
“Sons & Daughters”: A family comedy from “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels.
“The Night Stalker”: An update on the ‘70s cult hit, about crimes with supernatural elements.
“Emily’s Reasons Why Not”: Heather Graham plays a young publishing employee in a “Sex and the City”-style comedy.
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WHAT’S GONE
“The Benefactor,” “Life As We Know It” and “NYPD Blue”
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It’s all about relationships for the WB
After a disappointing year in the ratings, the WB is banking on contemporary relationship dramas from top producers like Jerry Bruckheimer and Barry Levinson (the network is partly owned by Tribune Co., publisher of The Times).
WHAT’S NEW
Title: Description
“Bedford Diaries”: College drama set in New York; from producers Tom Fontana and Barry Levinson.
“Just Legal”: A Jerry Bruckheimer-produced tale about a washed-up lawyer (Don Johnson) who mentors a young hotshot.
“Pepper Dennis”: Rebecca Romijn as a Chicago TV reporter.
“Related”: Four adult sisters in New York; from writers who worked on “Friends” and “Sex and the City.”
“Supernatural”: Two brothers investigate their mother’s murder.
“Good Eggs”: Two sisters inherit a family business; from producers of “Will & Grace.”
WHAT’S GONE
“Big Man on Campus,” “Drew Carey’s Green Screen,” “Grounded for Life,” “High School Reunion,” “The Mountain”
WHAT ELSE
After tense last-minute negotiations, “Reba” will return in a two-year deal.
NBC is hoping its wishes come true
NBC announced Monday that it would pick up three dramas, two reality shows and one comedy for its 2005-06 schedule.
NEW SHOW UPDATE
Title: Description: Time/Day
“Three Wishes”: A reality show hosted by Amy Grant in which she leads a team of experts to a small town to grant wishes, and help hopes and dreams come true. Andrew Glassman and Jason Raff are the executive producers.: 8-9 p.m.
Friday
WHAT ELSE
“West Wing” moves to 8 p.m. Sundays, out of its longtime 9 p.m. Wednesday slot. “The Office” also will return and will move to 9:30-10 p.m. Tuesdays.
For more information on NBC’s new shows go to calendarlive.com/upfront.
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