JustTV Talk: May 17, 2005
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ABC
    
Are you ready for this? ABC has made huge changes on almost every night in order to keep it's momentum going. Will it work?

New Series
Moved Series
Scheduled Repeats


7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
Monday


Wife Swap
Monday Night Football
Tuesday


According To Jim
Rodney
Commander In Chief
Boston Legal
Wednesday


George Lopez
Freddie
Lost
Invasion
Thursday


Alias
The Night Stalker
PrimeTime Thursday
Friday


Supernanny
Hope & Faith
Hot Properties
20/20
Saturday


Disney Saturday Movie
Sunday
America's Funniest Videos
Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition
Desperate Housewives
Grey's Anatomy

What's Renewed:
    Alias
    Lost
    Desparate Housewives
    Extreme Makeover Home Edition
    Boston Legal
    Hope & Faith
    Grey's Anatomy

    Monday Night Football
    According To Jim
    The George Lopez Show
    America's Funniest Home Videos
    Wife Swap
    Supernanny

    Less Than Perfect (January)
    The Bachelor
    The Bachelorette
    Rodney
    Jake In Progress (January)

New Series:
    Emily's Reasons Why Not (January)
    Freddie
    What About Brian (January)
    Commander-In-Chief
    Invasion
    What About Brian (mid season)
    The Night Stalker
    Hot Properties
    Miracle Workers (mid season)
    Sone & Daughters (mid season)
    Crumbs (mid season)
    The Evidence (mid season)
    In Justice (mid season)
 
Cancelled:
    Extreme Makeover Home Edition: How'd They Do That?
    Extreme Makover
    Complete Savages
    Blind Justice

    8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter
    Eyes
  
Biggest Schedule Risk: Hmm.... I guess the only real risk I see is Alias on Thursdays. ABC is setting it up to cancel it. "Lost" at 9pm should do quite well, actually, especially with 0 competition in the fall season, depending on what CBS does, of course.

Biggest Non-Risk: None. ABC is taking just enough risks, but they seem to be well calculated.

A Little too Late.... Finally realizing that sitcoms are over. Unless some happen to break out next season, ABC would have done much better this season had they already realized this.

Biggest Mistake:  None. ABC got rid of what wasn't working and kept everything that had promise. Although renewing "Jake In Progress" is iffy, to say the least.

The New Shows:

“Commander-in-Chief”-  Mackenzie Allen has a lot on her plate… She has twin teenagers and a six-year-old at home, an ambitious husband at the office, and she is about to become the first female President of the United States.

Before that happens, however, Mackenzie, who serves as Vice President, has to decide whether or not to go against the dying wishes of the current President, who has asked her to step down and let someone "more appropriate" fill his shoes in the Oval Office. Not only does the President want her to resign, so does the entire party that elected her in the first place.

But when the moment of truth arrives, Mackenzie isn't willing to be a mere footnote in history. Instead of allowing her detractors to keep her down, she decides to trust her instincts and accept the most powerful job in the world.

”Commander-in-Chief” stars Academy Award®-winner Geena Davis and comes from Rod Lurie, acclaimed writer/director of the Oscar-nominated film, “The Contender,” and creator of the critically acclaimed ABC series, “Line of Fire.”

         Unfair first impression:
Good buzz, but Geena Davis?

“Freddie” -- Four women to every man are great odds when you're a single guy out on the town, but not ideal when it comes to your living situation. Freddie is a young, successful chef with his own restaurant, a stylish bachelor pad and a trust fund baby for a best friend. The world should be Freddie’s oyster at this stage in life, but bachelorhood isn’t working out exactly as he envisioned.

Freddie loved growing up in a house full of women. He loved the energy of everyone running around, loved cooking for them all, but now he's finally realizing why his father used to lock himself in the bathroom just for some peace and quiet. Still, Freddie believes family always comes first, which is why he insisted his sister, sister-in-law, niece and grandmother come live with him after his brother passed away. Slowly but surely they are taking over his domain, and voicing their many opinions about his love life. Freddie will have to learn to balance his role as provider, brother, grandson, and uncle, all while trying to enjoy what should be his swinging single days.

The creative forces behind “The Drew Carey Show” and “George Lopez” serve up a comedic dish based on the raucous femme-filled real life of star Freddie Prinze, Jr. (“She's All That,” “Scooby Doo”).


         Unfair first impression:
Flimy premise, but it would work, if there is a pre-tune in
                           for "Lost."

“Hot Properties” -- In a Manhattan real estate office, four very different women cater to high-end clients while coping with their own personal predicaments. Married to a handsome 25-year-old, fortysomething Ava Summerlin wants to start a family, while self-improvement junkie Chloe would settle for any guy who can remember her the next day. Recently divorced, after being married ten years to a gay man, voluptuous Lola dreads jumping back into the dating pool, and the latest addition to this eclectic work group is rich girl Emerson Ives, who instantly bonds with the women upon learning that her supposedly virginal fiancé was anything but. And the ladies' office neighbors from down the hall, therapist Dr. Sellers Boyd and plastic surgeon Dr. Charlie Thorpe, help keep things lively around the water cooler.

<>In the tradition of “Designing Women,” “Golden Girls” and “Sex and the City” comes an uninhibited comedy with real career women trying to have real relationships. One of the Emmy Award-winning producers of the mega-hit “Frasier” reveals just how exciting the world of New York real estate can be.

         Unfair first impression:
Great buzz, looks like Sex In The City, but Fridays
                     after "Hope & Faith." It's a toss up.

“Invasion” -- For centuries man has searched the skies for signs of intelligent life… but to no avail.

What if the explanation lay in the fact that aliens were already here... already among us? And what if all of the natural disasters we’ve been experiencing of late were smokescreens designed to mask something far more ominous?

When yet another devastating hurricane threatens Florida, temporarily cutting off a small town at the edge of the Everglades, U.S. Park Ranger Russell Poole takes heroic measures to keep both the town’s citizens and his family safe. In the middle of the violent storm, his young daughter is the only one to see small lights floating towards the water, seemingly unaffected by the vicious winds. At the time he thinks nothing of her claim, but begins to suspect that something may indeed be amiss when his missing ex-wife is found naked, with no memory of what happened during the storm.

As the tiny town struggles to recover while his nemesis, the Sheriff, quarantines the entire area, Poole begins to investigate the strange goings on, unwittingly beginning a fight for the survival of the human race.

<>Veteran writer/producer Shaun Cassidy and celebrated director Thomas Schlamme (“The West Wing”) bring you the suspenseful tale of a blended family that finds itself at the center of a conspiracy to mask an alien takeover that is happening one neighbor at a time.

         Unfair first impression:
Extremely flimsy premise, but it could work post "Lost."

“The Night Stalker”-- There are things in the dark, things adults deny but children are right to fear…

When a pregnant woman is snatched from her home, the shocked citizens of L.A. believe it’s an act of domestic violence. But crime reporter Carl Kolchak suspects that the truth is far more complicated. That’s because 18 months ago Kolchak’s wife was killed in a bizarre fashion and he has been the FBI’s no. 1 suspect ever since.

Kolchak's determination to find the truth behind his wife's mysterious murder has led him to investigate other crimes that seem to have some kind of supernatural component. But he's trying to piece together a puzzle that keeps changing shape. Who or what is committing these crimes? How are they all related? And why do some victims end up with a strange red mark on their hands in the shape of a snake? With sidekick Perri Reed, a sexy if skeptical fellow reporter in tow, Kolchak will go to any lengths to answer these questions. But when he does discover the truth – will anyone believe him?

         Unfair first impression: It's ABC's "Medium"! Opposite "CSI" ! Gone in 6 !

“Crumbs”  --(Sitcom) Family is enough to drive anyone a little crazy. Children keep secrets from their parents so they won't upset them, dads leave for other women and moms try to run over dads with the car. Actually, that was the point that the Crumb family realized Mom was crazy.

Estranged brothers Mitch and Jody Crumb reunite in their small hometown to deal with their mother, Suzanne, who is being released from a psychiatric country club and has yet to discover that her ex-husband, Billy, is about to have a baby with his new girlfriend. They have issues… major issues. Central to everything is the dynamic between these two brothers: Mitch is the prodigal son who is returning home after a failed Hollywood career, and Jody is the older brother who has stayed in the confines of their small New England town to run the family business. Together for the first time as adults, this family will have to stick by one another despite their combustible relationships.

The creator of “Caroline in the City” mines his own WASP family for comedy that's smart, funny and surprising. The series stars Fred Savage (“The Wonder Years”) and Jane Curtin (two-time Emmy Award winner for “Kate & Allie,” “SNL,” “3rd Rock from the Sun”) and is from the producers of “Smallville” and “One Tree Hill.”

         Unfair first impression: Looks merely okay, which is not enough for sitcoms these
                                days


“Emily’s Reasons Why Not” (Comedy) – Emily Sanders is a successful young woman with terrific taste, great friends and a fabulous job in publishing. She didn’t get to this place in life by accident. She worked hard and always followed a set of self-imposed guidelines referred to as the “Reasons.” Reasons why not to take that new job offer, reasons why not to tell a vacation fling to look you up if he’s ever in Los Angeles, reasons why not to trust your crafty, back-stabbing former assistant, Glitter Cho. However, when Emily crosses professional lines and gets involved with the roguishly handsome, two-timing author of their new bestseller, there’s no denying that somewhere along the way her internal GPS system crashed. She’s got to get back on track, and once again be heedful of the trustworthy reasons that help her navigate her way through life.

Based on the bestselling novel of the same title, Heather Graham stars in this comedy about one independent woman’s adventures in life, friendship, love and their infinite possibilities…

         Unfair first impression: This looks okay, and may work after "Jake In Progess"
                           in January, if Jake In Progress works at all.

“The Evidence” (one-hour drama) -- People lie. The evidence doesn't. It's the foundation of every conviction – with evidence, justice is possible; without evidence, guilty men walk free.

Acclaimed producer John Wells, (“ER,” “The West Wing,” “Third Watch”) and director Gary Fleder (“Blind Justice,” “Runaway Jury”) put a twist on the standard police procedural. At the top of each episode, all of the clues (a locket, a phone, a severed finger) are revealed in a videotaped evidence log. The show then flashes to the day the crime was committed and invites viewers to play along with the heroes as they find each clue, determine its meaning, put the pieces of the puzzle together and figure out who done it.

No one knows the importance of evidence more than Inspector Sean Cole. After he lost his wife in a brutal murder, the only evidence the cops had was accidentally destroyed, and it ruined his faith in the system. Fortunately his partner and best friend, Bishop, is there for him, pulling him back to work, pushing him forward, as they both try to solve these complex cases set against the beautiful streets of San Francisco.


         Unfair first impression:
It's about time that ABC got on the procedural train. Will
                              it work? Depends on where they put it.

“In Justice” (one-hour drama) -- There are a lot of procedurals on the air that focus on putting people in jail. This is a show about getting them out.

Every year, hundreds of innocent men and women get convicted of crimes they didn't commit. Sloppy police work. False testimony. Biased juries. In the blink of an eye an innocent man can lose his life to the mistakes of an imperfect system. And every year the number of innocents who live without hope behind bars multiplies, while the real criminals walk free.

The innocent have finally found a champion in a blustery but charismatic attorney named David Swayne. A legendary litigator, Swayne is the head of the Justice Project, a high-profile, non-profit organization made up of hungry young associates who fight to overturn wrongful convictions, liberate the falsely accused and discover the identity of those really to blame. Whether the ego-driven Swayne is doing this in the pursuit of justice or publicity remains to be seen. Thank goodness he has his partner, crackerjack investigator and ex-cop Charles Conti, to keep him honest. He's the serious to Swayne's swagger, and together they work to rectify the mistakes of the justice system one case at a time.

<>Using real life stories as inspiration, the producers of “life as we know it” have created a legal drama reminiscent of “Reversal of Fortune,” in which clients who are presumed guilty must ultimately be proven innocent.

         Unfair first impression:
Sounds like "Law & Order," no? It may work, depending
                         on the timeslot.


“The Miracle Workers” (reality)
-- “The Miracle Workers” are an elite team of physicians who embrace revolutionary medical treatments many never knew existed. Each week, the show will focus on a single patient with a serious medical condition and follow as this dream team of medical professionals changes his or her life forever through treatment. The team will utilize their extraordinary expertise in cutting edge medical technology to restore not only the health but also the hope of the patient. Each episode will feature some of the world's most renowned medical experts performing breakthrough procedures to heal those who need it most, making possible what was previously thought impossible. For individuals who otherwise would never have access to elite medical specialists or the ability to afford costly procedures, “The Miracle Workers” will make possible what was previously thought impossible.

         Unfair first impression: Sounds like Extreme Makeover, with a serious slant. I
                           wouldn't expect it to work.


“Sons & Daughters” (half-hour comedy) -- Family is always unpredictable, so why write a family comedy when you can live dangerously and improvise instead? Like real families, you never know what will happen when you give characters total freedom.

Adult siblings Cameron, Sharon and Jenna have many years of shared history in this small town. Like every other family on the planet, their history includes many mistakes. This is proven by the multiple marriages and many children in their close extended clan. Sharon has postponed her mid-life crisis for the sake of her kids, but her sexless marriage, slacker son and nosey daughter don't make things easy for her. Jenna, the youngest, wanted to be a singer, but instead is a single mom who still lives at home. Luckily her parents love babysitting their grandson. Middle child Cameron, despite having kids from two marriages and a difficult relationship with his oldest son, Henry, is the glue that holds the family together. With all the messy interpersonal relationships, rivalries and religious differences, everyone needs someone to be the family's designated driver.

Leading this three-ring family circus is executive producer Lorne Michaels, the comedy veteran behind the long-running “Saturday Night Live.”         

          Unfair first impression: Take it or leave it. 


“What About Brian” (Drama) -- Brian is the guy everyone wants as a best friend. He's the guy who'll stand by you at your wedding, drive you to the hospital, cheer your kids on at their little league game... the guy whom every wife dotes on and every husband wants to either grab a beer with or live vicariously through. But as all of his friends pair off and Brian emerges as the last bachelor standing, questions begin to arise in his head: Is there such a thing as Mr. or Mrs. Right? Why does love have to be so complicated? What is his problem with commitment? And the most pressing question of all -- could all of his problems stem from the fact that he is harboring a crush on his best friend’s girl?

At 34, Brian is the last single guy in his group of friends: his best friend, Adam, was going to break up with picture-perfect Marjorie, but proposed instead. Brian's sister, Nic, and her boy-toy husband, Angelo, are trying hard to have kids. The bohemian Dave and Deena have three little girls and no sex life. And, like all married people, they can't wait for Brian to join their "club," though they're not exactly sure why. As for Brian, well, he's a serial monogamist but still holds out hope that one day he'll open the door and be blinded by love.

”What About Brian” is from the producers of “Lost” and “Alias” and the screenwriter of “City of Angels” and “For Love of the Game.”

         Unfair first impression: Very, very flimsy, unless the producers of said show have 
                              something "Lost"y or "Alias"y up their sleeves.