ABC has announced massive changes in its fall schedule, replacing more than a third of its prime-time programs.
And the network upped the ante in its battle with Roseanne and Tom Arnold, canceling Tom's "Jackie Thomas Show."The 11 new series include seven comedies and four dramas - and represent a big risk for ABC. The second-place network is making a bid to move past first-place CBS with this bold scheduling move, but any new show is a risk, let alone replacing 36 percent of the schedule.
"In deciding to place 11 new series in the new fall lineup, we were able to draw on our best development season in years," said Ted Harbert, president of ABC Entertainment. "By programming as aggressively as we have, we are maintaining ABC's commitment to continue to be the dominant network in attracting the young adult audience."
NEW SHOWS: The new comedies (and ABC's descriptions) are:
- "Phenom" follows the "battle between a mom who wants to keep her 15-year-old tennis champion daughter as normal as possible - and an overbearing tennis coach who wants to make her a star." Judith Light and William Devane star.
- "Thea" features comedian Thea Vidale as a "proud, feisty widow with four children who approaches life and parenting with unique good humor, patience and lots of love."
- "Joe's Life" features Peter Onorati as "an out-of-work electrician who suddenly has his hands full tending to his house and kids during the day while his wife is at the office."
- "Grace Under Fire" features Brett Butler as "a newly divorced woman with a quick wit and an indomitable will is determined to find a better life for herself and her three young children."
- "Boy Meets World" is a "family comedy that looks at life's emerging mysteries as seen through the eyes of a clever, curious 11-year-old boy," portrayed by Ben Savage.
- "George" stars former world heavyweight champion George Foreman stars as a retired boxer who starts up a youth center for the neighborhood's toughest kids."
- "The Paula Poundstone Show" is a comedy hour.
And the dramas are:
- "NYPD Blue" is Steven Bochco's new cop series.
- "Do the Strand" is a romantic/action show about a "beautiful, impetuous rich girl goes to work for the offbeat, handsome owner of a private investigation agency."
- "Missing Persons" stars Daniel J. Travanti as the commander of the Missing Persons Bureau of the Chicago Police Department.
- "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" is a '90s update of the romance involving Lois Lane, Clark Kent and Superman.
CANCELLATIONS ABC, in its apparent bid to overtake CBS, has jettisoned not only shows that were obviously failing but several that were marginal and considered candidates for renewal.
Among the shows the network has axed are:
"American Detective," "Camp Wilder," "Civil Wars," "Delta," "Doogie Howser, M.D.," "FBI: The Untold Stories," "Getting By," "Going to Extremes," "Home Free," "Homefront," "Jack's Place," "Life Goes On," "Sirens," "The Wonder Years" and "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles."
MIDSEASON ENTRIES: Although it's not on the fall schedule, "Dinosaurs" will return sometime during the upcoming season.
The network also has a pair of new midseason shows:
- "Moment of Crisis" is an ABC News magazine on moments "history stands in the balance or people's lives are changed forever."
- "These Friends of Mine" is a comedy "about a group of friends in Los Angeles who live through and laugh at the absurdities of modern American life." Ellen DeGeneres stars.
BOUNCED BY FOOTBALL: Although it won't be seen in prime time locally in the fall, the ABC newsmagazine "Day One" is still on the schedule.
Although it will be seen on Monday nights in most time zones, because of Monday Night Football it will air the following Sunday afternoon locally.