You have to give ABC credit--they're rolling the dice by ordering up 13 new shows while throwing in the towel on all but two shows from this past season.
Perhaps the biggest source of optimism for the number three network is Good Christian Belles, a prime-time soap set in Dallas (sound familiar?) and starring Kristin Chenoweth, Annie Potts and Leslie Bibb. The show is from Darren Star, best known for Sex and the City.
Another hoped-for hit is Apartment 23, even though the storyline is tired and over-used. Krysten Ritter is a naive girl from the Midwest (no word if she's from Kansas) who has big dreams which take a hit in New York.
Among the 13 new shows are remakes (Charlie's Angels) and a period piece (Pan Am) which sounds similar to what NBC is attempting with its Playboy Club.
Former TV star Tim Allen returns on the network in Last Man Standing--Allen plays the sole male in a large household.
ABC's only holdovers are Body of Proof, starring Dana Delany, and Happy Endings. Mr. Sunshine did not make the cut meaning that, once again, a Friends alumnus (Matthew Perry) was part of a losing effort. Others cancelled are Better With You, No Ordinary Family, Detroit 1-8-7, Brothers & Sisters, V and Off the Map.
What's working for ABC, long mired in third place behind FOX and CBS? Well, Dancing With the Stars had another successful season and Modern Family is perhaps the best sitcom on TV. Paul Lee, ABC's programming chief, has to hope that he can mine similar gold with one of the lucky 13 he served up to media execs and advertisers earlier today.
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