ABC Upfront

ABC announced their proposed 06-07 schedule today. Once again going lazy and skipping the italics and quotes for shows.

Canceled:
Freddie, Invasion, Emily's Reasons Why Not, Rodney, Jake in Progress, Hope & Faith, Sons & Daughters, Less Than Perfect, Hot Properties, Night Stalker, In Justice, Miracle Workers, and Commander-in-Chief.

New:
Sons and Daugters - Drama that follows the trials and tribulations of siblings throught the perspective of Calista Flockhart. Cast inclues Rachel Griffiths, Patricia Wettig (guess no more Prison Break for her) and several others. It has an attractive cast, lot of familiar names, so has a good chance of being sampled which can only help ratings. Family also makes for good shows if done well.

Men In Trees - Despite the odd name, apparently another drama. Its about Anne Heche dumping her cheating fiance and enjoying a new lease on life. Also stars some other people who don't ring any names but probably are familar faces.

The Nine - The storytelling method of 24 meets Lost with a dash of Prison Break. The nine covers the lives via flashbacks of nine hostages during a failed bank robbery. Starts Tim Daly, Chi McBride, Scott Wolf (Everwood is toast obviousily) and others. Its got my interest, just hope it doesn't become another Heist.

6 Degrees - Title refers to 6 degrees of seperation where everyone is connected to someone else by 6 unknown connections. This series plays up the unknown by showing how 6 people influence each others lives without actually knowing each other and what those connections mean and why. Stars Erika Christensen (ooh la la), Bridget Moynahan (another ooh lala), Hope Davis (ditto) and bunch of guys too lazy to type out. I am there. Good idea with attractive cast. Execution will be key but if they do it right, can be the hit of the new shows.

Day-Break - Mid-season replacement drama. Its the movie "Groundhog Day" without all the carefreeness "must get girl to love me". Basically the guy has to prove in a single day who killed a DA while keeping loved ones alive. Good thing he has a nifty reset button. Stars Taye Diggs, Adam Baldwin and others. Another great exicting concept that will require some tricky editing and wrting to keep all the elements in the air without seeming to be repetitive.

Traveler - Mid-season replacement drama. Bad place at wrong time results in friends being accused of a terrorist bombing. At the same time they discover a friend of theirs doesn't even exist. Without anyone to turn too they must find out who did the bombing. Stars lots of folks and looks like it could be an excellent drama.

Betty the Ugly - Sweet ugly girl (ie overweight but clearly attactive) does good and in the process the guy that only goes for flash starts to fall for her while they try to work together in the fashion world. This is doomed to fail.

Big Day - Comedy that tracks the single day in planning, prepping, and executing a weeding and all the mess that goes on such as parties and all the other hijinks that can ensue. Stars Marla Sokoloff (the Practice), Wendie Malick (Just Shoot Me) among others. Eh, personally I shut off at "wedding".

Help Me Help You - Group therapy by a celebrity doctor who just may be nuts himself. Stars Ted Danson, Suzy Nakamura, and others. I smell splat.

Let's Rob Mick Jagger - Bunch of screw ups get together to rob Mick Jagger's apartment. In the process of prepping they find out about themselves. This sounds like a smooshy do gooder comedy that once agains makes me go snore.

Notes From The Underbelly - The trials and problems that occur when having a baby especially from interfering family. blah.

In Case of Emergency - Mid-season comedy (they going to need a few). Bunch of high school buddies get together for much bonding as each of their lives fall apart. Sarts David Arguette, Greg Germann, Kelly Hu, and Lori Laughlin. I like most of the people that are in this show, but so far not feeling the interest. May g ive the pilot a go though.

Also three new reality shows: Wake-Up Call (Greg Behrendt helps with relationships), Just for Laughs (Candid Camera redux), and Set For The Rest of Your Life (contestants try to win a check of x value for x frequency over x period of time, with a partner who may be helping or hurting them). Rest of Your Life has legs if its not beat to death with frequent plays. Others will die a quick death.

Schedule:
MONDAY
8pm: "Wife Swap"
9pm: "The Bachelor " (through January)
9pm: "Supernanny" (from January)
10pm: "What About Brian"

TUESDAY
8pm: "Dancing with the Stars" (through January)
8pm: "Set for the Rest of Your Life" (from January)
9pm: "Let's Rob Mick Jagger"
10pm: "Boston Legal"

WEDNESDAY
8pm: "Dancing with the Stars" (through January)
8pm: "George Lopez" (from January)
8:30pm: "According to Jim" (from January)
9pm: "Lost"
10pm: "The Nine"

THURSDAY
8pm: "Big Day"
8:30pm: "Notes from the Underbelly"
9pm: "Grey's Anatomy"
10pm: "Six Degrees"

FRIDAY
8pm: "Betty the Ugly"
9pm: "Men in Trees"
10pm: "20/20"

SATURDAY
8pm: "ABC Saturday Night College Football"

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