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ABC wants everyone to get happyBy ERIC DEGGANS, Times TV Critic
© St. Petersburg Times It's called the "Happy Hour." And it's one way ABC hopes to reverse its fortunes once the new TV season starts this fall. As expected, the network plans to offer family-friendly comedies during the first hour of every weeknight, including moving signature star Drew Carey's two shows to Monday and approving a spinoff based on its miniseries Dinotopia. Comic Jimmy Kimmel (The Man Show), who once worked in Tampa as a producer/personality on WRBQ-FM 104.7, will create a late-night hourlong comedy show to replace Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. It will debut after the Super Bowl in January. Struggling shows Spin City, The Job, Philly and Dharma & Greg were canceled, and one-time hit Who Wants to Be a Millionaire was removed from the regular lineup, presumably to air periodically as a special. All these changes were outlined in the 2002-03 schedule ABC executives revealed to advertisers Tuesday. The network has seven new series, including a sequel to reality hit The Bachelor and Push, Nevada, a drama developed by film stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Two series, one a remake of the classic cop show Dragnet, will appear next year, after Monday Night Football concludes. Also, the WB announced six new fall series Tuesday, including a remake of the classic sitcom Family Affair (with Rocky Horror Picture Show star Tim Curry as Mr. French), the Hispanic-centered comedy Greetings From Tuscon and a superhero show featuring the unknown daughter of Batman and Catwoman, Birds of Prey. Maybe It's Me, Raising Dad and Nikki were canceled. At ABC, executives say they're counting on quality and stability to reverse a 20 percent ratings drop that followed the decline of Millionaire. Well aware that industry experts expected much more tinkering given the ratings plunge, ABC officials downplayed expectations for the future. "Nobody has the illusion that these shows will explode out of the gate," said Lloyd Braun, chairman of ABC Entertainment Television Group, in a conference call. "(We just) want to schedule the shows we think are good, and if the quality remains . . . let them grow and find an audience." ABC's 2002-03 schedule (new shows in bold) MONDAY: The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line is it Anyway?, Monday Night Football (through Dec. 30)/ Dragnet (after football), Miracles (after football). TUESDAY: 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, According To Jim, Life With Bonnie, Less Than Perfect, NYPD Blue. WEDNESDAY: My Wife and Kids, The George Lopez Show, The Bachelor II, Meds. THURSDAY: Dinotopia, Push, Nevada, Primetime Thursday. FRIDAY: America's Funniest Home Videos, That Was Then, 20/20. SATURDAY: ABC Big Picture Show. SUNDAY: Wonderful World of Disney, Alias, The Practice. The WB's schedule MONDAY: 7th Heaven, Everwood. TUESDAY: Gilmore Girls, Smallville. WEDNESDAY: Dawson's Creek, Birds of Prey. THURSDAY: Family Affair, Do Over, JKX: The Jamie Kennedy Experiment, Off Centre. FRIDAY: What I Like About You, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Reba, Greetings From Tuscon. SUNDAY: Gilmore Girls: Beginnings, Charmed, Angel.
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From the wire |
