ABC Easy As 1, 2, 3...

ABC has released their fall schedule...

And the big news is "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is on it.  And Tuesday is the night to set aside time or remember to DVR it.  Here is the full line up:


Returning shows/New shows

DAY                           TIME               SERIES

MONDAY:             
8:00 p.m.    “Dancing with the Stars”

10:00 p.m.  “Castle”

TUESDAY:             
8:00 p.m.    “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

9:00 p.m.    “The Goldbergs”

9:30 p.m.    “Trophy Wife”

10:00 p.m.  “Lucky 7”

WEDNESDAY:         
8:00 p.m.    “The Middle”

8:30 p.m.    “Back in the Game”

9:00 p.m.    “Modern Family”

9:30 p.m.    “Super Fun Night”

10:00 p.m.  “Nashville”

THURSDAY:          
8:00 p.m.    “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland”

9:00 p.m.    “Grey’s Anatomy”

10:00 p.m.  “Scandal”

FRIDAY:              
8:00 p.m.    “Last Man Standing”

8:30 p.m.    “The Neighbors”

9:00 p.m.    “Shark Tank”

10:00 p.m.  “20/20”

SATURDAY:             
8:00 p.m.    “Saturday Night College Football”

SUNDAY:              
7:00 p.m.    “America’s Funniest Home Videos”

8:00 p.m.    “Once Upon a Time”

9:00 p.m.    “Revenge”

10:00 p.m.  “Betrayal”

So now you know what you need to know...

Primed...

Three, two, one...
Going live...
Nellie Andreeva over at Deadline Hollywood has an article about the upcoming pilot season on the networks that's telling...

You should go read it if you want to see what you may be watching come fall. But the telling part to me is how uninterested I am in seeing any of the new shows on (Disney's) ABC's list. I'm not saying they won't be great, or I won't eventually like them, but the description of them doesn't really spark my interest. I wish them well, but as of now nothing looks attractive. That could all change when mid-season replacements come up and hopefully some of what the Mouse has recently bought will show up in primetime.

As for what I did like that the Networks are coming out with?

Here's a short rundown of what me likey:

Terra Nova: Steven Spielberg is once again working with dinosaurs in this drama about a family set a hundred years in the future that travel back in time (150 million years) to prehistoric Earth and encounter a beautiful and dangerous world forgotten by man. Think of it as a serious version of "The Land of the Lost." (FOX)

Undercovers: J.J. Abrams newest takeover of television is a story about espionage that tells the lives of a married couple involved in the world of spying. And it's got a comedic undertone. Apparently Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie weren't available, but Abrams is directing the pilot so I'm there. (NBC)

Chase: Jerry Bruckheimer's new show about a team of government officials hunting down wanted fugitives sounds like a television version of "The Fugitive," but it's The Bruck and he's had a hot streak on television. I'm sure Disney is still smarting from not picking up "CSI" when they had the opportunity for the Alphabet Network. Millions and millions of dollars flew out the window of some ignorant suit that day when Jerry walked back to his bungalow and phoned CBS. I'll give this a glance. (NBC)

Kindreds: It's from David E. Kelly and it stars Kathy Bates. That sounds like a winning combination to me. I love Kelly's writing and Bates is a wonderful and versatile actress. The only bad news is that it's a legal drama. Can you please write a character that's a farmer/spy/Indian chief someday, David? (NBC)

The Event: I love conspiracy shows. I believe in almost none, since I follow Benjamin Franklin's quote about two people in a room can keep a secret as long as one of them is dead. But I still find the good ones fascinating to watch. This is one that follows a group of people who have had their lives dramatically changed by some sort of extraordinary event. Hence the title. (NBC)

Hawaii Five-O: I don't know if this will be good or another bad adaptation of a classic television show (hello, The Night Stalker?), but I think the story and setting have potential if brought properly into the present. Still, I always felt this was a property that should have gone to a big screen adaption, not a television series. Will be watching to see how well they say: "Book him, Dano." (CBS)

So until we see some previews and promotions for these and other stories that flesh out what they are and even if they're any good, that's all I can take from this news...

Mouse Expecting (V)isitors...

We are not alone, or won't be very soon...

The 80's television mini-series/series, "V" is getting remade for the Alphabet Network. Scott Peters(The 4400), is developing the series along with Jace Hall(former head of Warner Bros. Videogame Division).

The new show will be "based" on the original idea, but will not follow Marc Singers and his motley Lott's original characters. Instead, the story will center around a woman named Erica Evans, a Homeland Security agent with an rebellious son who’s got problems(who doesn't?). When the Visitors arrive, her son becomes drawn to them and this causes tension within the Evans family. That's all they've let out and it's really in the early stages. Don't expect to here much before next year as we get closer to the shows launch.

For those that are 80's Pop-Culture illiterate, the original series, an allegory to Nazi occupation of Europe, was about an armada of spacecrafts that came to earth, moving into major cities, these human looking aliens tell the earth that they're here to help our planet. As events unfold, people begin to find out that the "Visitors" aren't here to help, they're here to take the earth's water for their own dying planet. They also aren't human, more like upright walking reptilian creatures disguised as humans. Slowly they take over the governments through aliens pretending to be world leaders and sympathisers that share their cause or beliefs. The show followed a small group of freedom fighters that were trying to liberate the earth from the aliens... I mean, Visitors.

Stay tuned...

The Alphabet Flashes Forward...

The Mouse's ABC Network is about to buy/greenlight "Flash Forward" as a television series. The show, which will be based on a sci-fi nover by Robert J. Sawyer, is to be written and produced by David S. Goyer (“Blade: The Series”) and Brannon Braga (“Star Trek: Enterprise”) with Goyer directing the pilot...

For those of you that are pop-culturally illiterate, Goyer is also the man responsible for "Batman Begins", "Blade 1-3" and the upcoming "Flash" film. I don't want to just bind his credits to the Blade television show, which was crap since he has done a good deal of really, really cool stuff. As for Braga, while I wasn't a big fan of Enterprise, he did produce "24" so that gets major kudos with me.

The story involves physicists who are conducting a secret, high-energy experiment that goes awry and causes people all across the planet to experience two-minutes and seventeen seconds of their own future decades in the future. This causes societal problems with people getting a glimpse of their future without really understanding the context of what they saw...

Developing.

ABC Expanding Family...

The Alphabet Network has announced the addition of five(5) new shows to its fall line-up...

Three new dramas...

"Castle" is a comedic crime procedural about a famous mystery novelist, Nick Castle, who has gotten bored with his success. When a real-world copycat murderer starts staging scenes from Nick's novels, he's teamed up with NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, and the challenge gets his blood pumping as he steps in to help solve the crime. Nick and Beckett's styles instantly clash and sparks begin to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance. Castle is kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother, quick-witted teenage daughter, and his long-suffering ex-wife... who happens to be his editor. "Castle" stars Nathan Fillion as Castle, Stana Katic as Beckett, Molly Quinn as Alexis, Susan Sullivan as Martha, Monet Mazur as Gina and Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Capt. Montgomery. Produced by ABC Studios, Andrew Marlowe serves as executive producer/writer along with executive producers Laurie Zaks, Armyan Bernstein and Rob Bowman.

"Cupid" is a romantic dramedy about Trevor, a larger than life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love Cupid, sent to earth to bring couples together. As fate would have it, Trevor is under the care of famous psychologist and self-help author Dr. Claire Allen, who is also dedicated to helping lonely hearts find their soul mates. While she agrees with his cause, she questions whether he's crazy or really is Cupid. "Cupid" stars Bobby Cannavale as Trevor, Sarah Paulson as Claire, Rick Gomez as Felix and Camille Guaty as Lita. Produced by ABC Studios, Rob Thomas serves as executive producer/writer along with executive producers Jennifer Gwartz, Danielle Stokdyk, Dan Etheridge and Bharat Nalluri.

"The Unusuals" is a unique comedic procedural set in a New York police precinct. As a cop it helps to have a twisted sense of humor, because every moment could be your last. Just ask Casey Schraeger, who started her day as an NYPD vice detective, before unexpectedly being transferred to the homicide division. She quickly realizes that not only does everyone in her new department have a distinct sense of humor, but also their own dirty little secret. "The Unusuals" stars Amber Tamblyn as Det. Casey Schraeger, Jeremy Renner as Det. Joe Walsh, Terry Kinney as Sgt. Harvey Brown, Kai Lennox as Det. Ed Alvarez, Harold Perrineau as Det. Leo Banks, Adam Goldberg as Det. Eric Delahoy, Monique Gabriela Curnen as Det. Allison Beaumont and Joshua Close as Henry Cole. Produced by Sony Pictures Television, Noah Hawley is executive producer/writer.

And two new comedies...

"Better Off Ted" is a satirical office comedy featuring a successful but morally conscious man, Ted, who runs a research and development department at a morally questionable corporation, Veridian Technologies. No achievement is too far fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian. Need a suicidal turkey? Done. Need a metal that is hard as steel but bounces and is edible? Done and done. Ted loves his seemingly perfect job; he loves his super human boss Veronica, and colleagues Lem, Phil and Linda, but he's starting to take a closer look at the company's extremely questionable practices...especially when they try to cryogenically freeze one of Ted's scientists for testing purposes. Starring Jay Harrington as Ted, Andrea Anders as Linda, Portia de Rossi as Veronica, Jonathan Slavin as Phil, and Malcolm Barrett as Lem, "Better Off Ted" is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Victor Fresco is executive producer/writer.

"Single With Parents" is a comedy about Lou, a woman in her mid-30s who is determined to have her own life despite her crazy blended family getting in the way. She's thrilled that her divorced parents are leading exciting lives really she is except both of them rely on her way too much. Dad needs her as a surrogate parent and Mom counts on her 24/7 as a shrink and confidante. Lou has resolved to finally find a fulfilling life for herself. The series stars Alyssa Milano as Lou, Annie Potts as Elizabeth, Beau Bridges as Joe, Amanda Detmer as Sasha, Meagan Fay as Nancy and Eric Winter as Charlie. Based on her own experiences, "Single With Parents" is executive produced and written by Kristin Newman. Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Matthew Carlson are also executive producers. The show is produced by ABC Studios.

Alphabet Schedule...

_________________________________________________

New Shows:

Life on Mars
(Time-Travel Cop Drama, Thursdays 10pm)
"Life on Mars" is based on the BBC series created by Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan and Ashley Pharoah. The series revolves around Sam Tyler, a modern-day police detective who, after a car crash, mysteriously finds himself transported back to 1973 and still working as a detective. The cast includes Jason O' Mara as Sam Tyler, Rachelle LeFevre as Annie Cartwright, Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt, Stephanie Jacobsen as Maya, Lenny Clarke as George Randall, Patrick Wenk-Wolff as Colin Raimes and Richard Benjamin as Milton Kornboll.


The Goode Family
(Comedy, Mid-Season)
A new animated series from Mike Judge, creator of "King of the Hill." "The Goode Family" is obsessed with doing the "right" thing, whether it's environmentally, politically or socially. Unfortunately their efforts often have unintended comic consequences. "The Goode Family" is voiced by Mike Judge as Gerald, Nancy Carell as Helen, Dave Herman as Ubuntu and Abby Elliot as Bliss. Executive producers for "The Goode Family" are Mike Judge, David Krinsky, John Altschuler, Michael Rotenberg and Tom Lassally.
_________________________________________________

Renewals:

"According to Jim," "America's Funniest Home Videos," "The Bachelor," "Boston Legal," "Brothers & Sisters," "Dancing with the Stars," "Desperate Housewives," "Dirty Sexy Money," "Eli Stone," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Grey's Anatomy," "Lost," "Private Practice," "Pushing Daisies," "Samantha Who?," "Supernanny," "Ugly Betty," "Wife Swap" and "20/20."
_________________________________________________

Cancellations:

"Big Shots," "Carpoolers," "Cashmere Mafia," "Cavemen," "Just for Laughs," "Miss/Guided," "Notes from the Underbelly," "October Road," "Oprah's Big Give," "Women's Murder Club"
_________________________________________________

ABC Nightime Fall Schedule*:

MONDAY
8pm: "Dancing with the Stars"
9:30pm: "Samantha Who"
10pm: "Boston Legal"

TUESDAY
8pm: "Opportunity Knocks"
9pm: "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show"
10pm: "Eli Stone"

WEDNESDAY
8pm: "Pushing Daisies"
9pm: "Private Practice"
10pm: "Dirty Sexy Money"

THURSDAY
8pm: "Ugly Betty"
9pm: "Grey's Anatomy"
10pm: "Life on Mars"

FRIDAY
8pm: "Wife Swap"
9pm: "Supernanny"
10pm: "20/20"

SATURDAY
8pm: "Saturday Night College Football"

SUNDAY
7pm: "America's Funniest Home Videos"
8pm: "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
9pm: "Desperate Housewives"
10pm: "Brothers and Sisters"

* "The Goode Family" and "Scrubs" will debut this fall, but have not been scheduled yet...

Family Schedule...

ABC Family released its summer schedule the other day...

Forgive the tardiness, it includes two new dramas, an event miniseries and two original movies.

This Summer, ABC Family comes out with "millennial" and then "The Middleman," followed by the Brenda Hampton-penned "The Secret Life of the American Teenager".

Eversince Fox in the mid to late 80's started messing with its series schedule we have slowly seen television erode the traditional history of having all new shows start in the Fall...

Now they start all over the place at many different times. ABC Family has had a lot of success debuting shows in the Summer... we'll see if it continues this time as well.