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 ABC has plenty of new shows in store for the fall, despite its already solid lineup. Admittedly, I spend most of my TV hours watching ABC shows, and it looks like that isn’t going to change this season.
Seven new dramas, four new comedies and one alternative series have been added to the schedule, along with many returning shows.
Returning are: October Road, Notes From the Underbelly, Brothers & Sisters, Men in Trees, Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Dancing With the Stars, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Bachelor, Supernanny, America’s Funniest Home Videos, and Wife Swap.
ABC’s new series include: Big Shots, Carpoolers, Cashmere Mafia, Cavemen, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Miss/Guided, Private Practice, Pushing Daisies, Sam I Am, Women’s Murder Club and Oprah’s Big Give.
Here’s a look at the fall schedule, along with a detailed description of the new shows at the end. New shows are listed in bold. Enjoy, and make room on your TiVo!
MONDAY
8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars” 9:30 p.m. “Sam I Am” (new comedy series) 10:00 p.m. “The Bachelor”
TUESDAY
8:00 p.m. “Cavemen” (new comedy series) 8:30 p.m. “Carpoolers” (new comedy series) 9:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show” 10:00 p.m. “Boston Legal”
WEDNESDAY
8:00 p.m. “Pushing Daisies” (new drama series) 9:00 p.m. “Private Practice” (new drama series) 10:00 p.m. “Dirty Sexy Money” (new drama series)
THURSDAY 8:00 p.m. “Ugly Betty” 9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy” 10:00 p.m. “Big Shots” (new drama series)
FRIDAY
8:00 p.m. “MEN IN TREES” 9:00 p.m. “Women’s Murder Club” (new drama series) 10:00 p.m. “20/20”
SATURDAY
8:00 p.m. “Saturday Night College Football”
SUNDAY
7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos” 8:00 p.m. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” 9:00 p.m. “Desperate Housewives” 10:00 p.m. “Brothers & Sisters”
Cashmere Mafia, Notes from the Underbelly and October Road will premiere after Dancing With the Stars and The Bachelor conclude their fall seasons. Lost will premiere midseason.
DRAMAS
"Big Shots"
This is the story of four friends at the top of their game...until the women in their lives enter the room. Lines between boardroom and bedroom blur when these competitive but dysfunctional CEOs take refuge in their friendship, discussing business, confiding secrets, seeking advice and supporting each other through life's surprising twists and turns. Stars Michael Vartan, Dylan McDermott and Joshua Malina.
"Cashmere Mafia"
Four ambitious and sexy women, who've been best friends since business school, try to balance their glamorous and demanding careers with their complex personal lives in the city that never sleeps. They've created their own "boys club" to protect each other and discuss their ups and downs as they try to have it all. What good is it to break the glass ceiling without girlfriends to share in your success? Stars Lucy Liu and Frances O’Connor.
"Dirty Sexy Money"
Some people say money is the root of all evil. They may be right. Nick George's whole life has been lived in the shadow of the Darling family, but as an adult he's leading the perfect life as an idealistic lawyer, until his father's suspicious death. The absurdly wealthy Darlings of New York have asked him to take over his father's job as their personal lawyer, but the money that will allow him the freedom to be an altruistic do-gooder is only part of the picture. That same money pulls him into the dubious doings of the Darling clan. Power, privilege and family money are a volatile cocktail. Stars Peter Krause, Donald Sutherland and William Baldwin
"Eli Stone"
Many lawyers consider themselves prophets, but Eli Stone may be the real deal. Eli has built a successful career at a top law firm in San Francisco representing only the biggest and richest corporations that make a habit of screwing over the little guy. But after experiencing a series of odd hallucinations, Eli seeks to find a deeper meaning to life while trying not to lose his job and destroy his relationship with the bosses' daughter. When Eli discovers an aneurysm in his brain, he wonders if his condition is truly medical or if perhaps he now has a higher calling. Stars Victor Garber, Jonny Lee Miller and Natasha Henstridge.
"Private Practice"
From Shonda Rhimes, the Golden Globe-winning creator of "Grey's Anatomy," comes a story about new beginnings and old friends. Addison Forbes Montgomery is a renowned neonatal surgeon, respected by her friends and colleagues at Seattle Grace Hospital. Deciding she can no longer healthily co-exist with her ex-husband, McDreamy, and her ex-lover, McSteamy, Addison heads to Los Angeles for sunnier weather and happier possibilities. Reunited with her once-married, newly divorced medical school friends, Naomi and Sam, Addison joins their chic private practice. Featuring an all-star cast including Kate Walsh, Amy Brenneman, Tim Daly and Taye Diggs, "Private Practice" tells the story of a woman unafraid of change and willing to begin a new life.
"Pushing Daisies"
From Bryan Fuller ("Heroes") and Barry Sonnenfeld ("Men in Black") comes an unprecedented blend of romance, crime procedural and high-concept fantasy in a forensic fairytale about a young man with a very special gift. Once upon a time, a mild-mannered boy named Ned realized he could touch dead things and bring them back to life. Grown-up Ned puts his ability to good use, not only touching dead fruit and making it ripe with everlasting flavor, but working with an investigator to crack murder cases by asking the deceased to name their killers. But the tale gets complicated, as all tales do, when Ned brings his childhood sweetheart, Chuck, back from the dead and keeps her alive. Chuck encourages him to use his power to help others, instead of merely solving mysteries and collecting the rewards. Life would be perfect for Ned and Chuck, except for one cruel twist: If he ever touches her again, she'll go back to being dead, this time for good. Stars Lee Pace, Chi McBride, Swoosie Kurtz and Kristin Chenoweth.
"Women's Murder Club"
Based on James Patterson's bestselling novels, The Women's Murder Club, four working women in San Francisco - a detective, a district attorney, a medical examiner and a reporter - use their expertise and unique talents to solve murder cases. Each woman is successful in her own field, but because of their unique friendship, they realize that pooling their resources during investigations leads to undiscovered clues and answers in both work and their personal lives. Stars Paula Newsome, Tyrees Allen and Angie Harmon.
COMEDIES
"Carpoolers"
Less about saving the environment than male bonding, four guys from very different backgrounds relish their daily commute as they commiserate about their lives, jobs and families in the carpool lane. There's Laird, the recently divorced playboy; Aubrey, the timid homemaker and breadwinner; the conservative and traditional Gracen; and eager newlywed Dougie. Together, between the pressures of home and work, these men find time to be themselves while driving to and from the office. Stars Fred Goss, Faith Ford and Jerry O’Connell.
"Cavemen"
Cavemen is a unique buddy comedy that offers a clever twist on stereotypes and turns race relations on their head. Inspired by the popular Geico Insurance commercials, the series looks at life through the eyes of the ultimate outsiders - three modern cavemen - as they struggle to find their place in the world. Joel, his cynical best friend, Nick, and easy-going little brother, Jamie, are contemporary cavemen who live in the suburban south and simply want to be treated like ordinary thirty-something guys. Despite their attempts at assimilation, Nick doesn't believe mainstream society will ever completely accept them, Jamie seems to take it all in stride and Joel straddles the middle, torn between his friends, his more traditional values and his loving fiance. Stars Bill English, Nick Kroll and Dash Mihok.
"Miss/Guided"
Having navigated the awkward and sometimes traumatic world of high school, Rebecca Freely returns to her alma mater as a guidance counselor, free of the insecurities and orthodontia of her school days. Amidst student behavioral problems and the persistent romantic advances of the male nurse, Gary, Rebecca is certain of one thing - she is interested in the hot auto-shop-turned-Spanish-teacher, Tim. However, much as in high school days of unexpected teenage angst, Lisa, a former cheerleader and nemesis of Rebecca's, returns as the new English teacher determined to make Rebecca relive her unpopular past, setting sights on Tim as well. Stars Brooke Burns, Judy Greer and Kristoffer Polaha.
"Sam I Am"
When a terrible accident leaves Samantha "Sam" Newly in a coma for eight days, she wakes up with no recollection of any past experiences, memories or events. Faced with amnesia, Sam must start over. To her dismay she discovers that she wasn't a particularly honest, good-hearted or loving person. In fact she was self-involved, narcissistic and devoid of real relationships - essentially a bitch. Sam must now struggle with her desire to be good and her temptation to be...not so good. Finding the line between good and evil is never easy. Stars Christina Applegate, Jennifer Esposito and Jean Smart.
ALTERNATIVE SERIES
"Oprah's Big Give"
The first primetime series from Harpo Productions centers on the competition, drama and emotion as millions of dollars are given away to make a difference in people's lives across the country. Each week contestants will face a "big twist" that will test their nerve, drive, ingenuity and passion. Big name stars will turn up throughout the series to join the "Oprah's Big Give" tour. During the eight episodes filmed in various U.S. cities, the field will be narrowed. The stakes will get higher and higher, with one person ultimately being chosen as The Biggest Giver. "Oprah's Big Give" is created and produced by Harpo Productions in conjunction with Profiles Television Productions, LLC. Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Rakieten, Harriet Seitler, Jonathan Sinclair, Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri are executive producers.
 Here’s the information you’ve all been waiting for. Well, most of you anyway, based on the flood of e-mails I’ve received. Lost doesn’t return until October 4, Tubers, so be patient. The Grey’s Anatomy drought ends on September 21. And my last summer’s guilty pleasure, Dancing with the Stars, hits the airwaves on September 12. Here’s the complete list of return dates. Take note of the new show Ugly Betty that looks hilarious.
20/20 on Sept. 8
Dancing with the Stars returns Sept. 12 and 13
Wife Swap premieres Sept. 18
Grey's Anatomy and the new show Six Degrees on Sept. 21
New shows Ugly Betty and Men in Trees on Sept. 22
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives and the new show Brothers & Sisters on Sept. 24
Boston Legal and the new show Help Me Help You on Sept. 26
The Bachelor: Rome on Oct. 2
Lost and the new show The Nine on Oct. 4
New shows Big Day and Notes from the Underbelly on Oct. 5
What About Brian on Oct. 9
The new show The Knights of Prosperity on Oct. 17.
New show Day Break is expected to take over for Lost on Nov. 15 for 13 weeks.
 by Jennifer Squires Biller
Kudos to the reporters at the Television Critics press tour who pressed the ABC execs on the cancellation of the year’s best drama. E!Online’s Kristin Veitch published the transcript from the ABC session with ABC President Steve McPherson. Here’s the excerpt about Invasion:
WHY THE CANCELLATION OF INVASION:
"What happened with it, it was up to the TV gods. Shaun continued to improve that show there were some brilliant performances in it. But we just couldn't get people to watch it. It was really down to the wire and it was a difficult decision."
ON WHETHER HE'S CONCERNED THE CANCELLATION OF INVASION WILL DETER PEOPLE FROM INVESTING IN SERIALIZED ABC SHOWS:
"Well, we certainly hope not. It's the difficult thing about serials a lot of times you have these mysteries and it would be great to close up all those mysteries when a show isn't working. In the case of Invasion we wanted to stick with it, we thought it was really good and held on until the end. But I hope people will make a commitment to the next serialized."
ON WHAT ABOUT BRIAN:
"That's a show that we believe in, content-wise. It did not come out of the box strong but those who followed it believed in it and it had a following among its fanbase online so we wanted to give it another shot. "
ON WHY BRIAN GOT RENEWED EVEN THOUGH INVASION HAD MORE VIEWERS?
"Invasion had the timeslot after Lost so those numbers were a little misleading. Brian came in a tough timeslot and did fairly well, and had a dedicated fanbase, so we felt strongly about it.
OK. Deep breath. What About Brian has a “dedicated” online fanbase? Hello? Invasion fans hired a freaking plane to pimp their show and created a petition to save it. Has he seen it?
Unbelievable. I’m stupefied by this ridiculous explanation. If he had said that Invasion was just too costly to make for the return they were getting on their investment, I’d buy that. But to say that the reason they kept What About Brian was because they believed in its content, and that its fanbase was strong, makes every Invasion fan on the planet want to scream.
All together now, UGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
 by Jennifer Squires Biller
Just in case you didn’t hear my reaction to ABC’s fall schedule news, let me repeat it: NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! (Followed by some choice words that I won’t repeat here.) Invasion, my favorite new drama of the year on any network, was…I can’t bear to say it…cancelled. Send antidepressants, Tubers, pronto.
As your Tube Talk Girl, I like to think I have my finger on the pulse of all that is right in television. But, apparently, I don’t. According to ABC executives, you like shows such as Wife Swap and According to Jim. Where did I go wrong, Tubers? Where? It’s a sad day when no-brainer shows are renewed year after year, but a unique, intelligent, mesmerizing drama like Invasion gets no love.
Wife Swap and According to Jim, are you kidding me? I swear I’m being Punked.
To all of you who watched Invasion due to my begging, i.e. harassment, “thank you.” And “I’m sorry.” (A special “sorry” to Aric and his Mrs., who came to love Invasion after I pimped the show to them.) If you’ll allow me a platitude: “I guess it’s better to have loved and lost…” Oh, forget it. This just stinks.
I’m on a mission to save Invasion. Those of you who want to help, can sign this online petition The word on the street ― (Yeah, I’ve got peeps on the street, but not the kind you’re thinking, you pervs) ― is that the CW or SciFi network may pick up Invasion. The CW network announces its schedule on Thursday, so here’s hoping. Meanwhile, I’ll be wearing black and rocking in the fetal position.
Can you hear me ABC? It’s been a long time since I’ve written an unflattering critique of an ABC show. (OK, so I never watched Commander in Chief , or I’m sure I would have cranked one out.) Still, I watched Freddie for you, and this is how you roll?
Speaking of Freddie, it was also cancelled, along with Commander in Chief and Hope and Faith. And in a surprise move no one saw coming, the freshman drama What About Brian was renewed.
You can come out now, Ashton.
Here’s the fall schedule, as released by ABC: (new shows are in CAPS)
MONDAY
8:00 p.m. “Wife Swap”
9:00 p.m. “The Bachelor”/”Supernanny”
10:00 p.m. “What About Brian”
TUESDAY
8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars” (new night)/”SET FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE” (new alternative series)
9:00 p.m. “LET’S ROB…” (new comedy series)
9:30 p.m. “HELP ME HELP YOU” (new comedy series)
10:00 p.m. “Boston Legal”
WEDNESDAY
8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars” (new night)/”George Lopez”/“According to Jim” (new night)
9:00 p.m. “Lost”
10:00 p.m. “THE NINE” (new drama series)
THURSDAY
8:00 p.m. “BIG DAY” (new comedy series)
8:30 p.m. “NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY” (new comedy series)
9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy” (new night and time)
10:00 p.m. “SIX DEGREES” (new drama series)
FRIDAY
8:00 p.m. “BETTY THE UGLY” (new comedy series)
9:00 p.m. “MEN IN TREES” (new drama series)
10:00 p.m. “20/20”
SATURDAY
8:00 p.m. “ABC Saturday Night College Football”
SUNDAY
7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
9:00 p.m. “Desperate Housewives”
10:00 p.m. “BROTHERS & SISTERS” (new drama series)
 by Jennifer Squires Biller
ABC cancelled Invasion, according to Variety. Nooooo! Rocking. In. Fetal. Position.
Rumors are swirling that the CW or SciFi network may pick it up. I refuse to believe that any network would toss out such a high-quality drama. (Denial, Tubers, it ain’t just a river. Rest in peace Jack & Bobby.)
If some network doesn’t pick up Invasion after Wednesday’s incredible episode, I’m convinced the people making these programming decisions have been invaded by hybrids themselves.
Seriously, how fantastic was this week’s show? The scenes of pandemonium when the hybrids rounded up the humans gave me chills, with the strong parallels to the Nazi concentration camps. I think I speak for all of us when I say, “Don’t go into the lights, Larkin!”
And is it just me or can Mariel not keep her hands off her yummy ex-husband lately? I’m not judging, folks. I’m just saying. But who can blame her? I don’t think I could keep my hands off him either. Stay tuned to Tube Talk for news on Invasion’s fate.
 by Jennifer Squires Biller
You can now watch several of your favorite ABC TV shows online for FREE. Yes, I said free. The only catch is that you have to watch commercials, which for those of us used to fast-forwarding through them, is probably payment enough. You can catch Lost, Desperate Housewives, Alias and Commander in Chief, according to the e-mail I received from ABC. For those of you with dial-up connections, I have no idea if this will work. (I haven’t tried it yet.) For everyone else, yay!
Tube Talk Girl can be reached by e-mail at jennifer@tube-talk.com.
 February 8, 2006
ABC has pulled Invasion from its schedule until March.
I have just one word: why?
OK, so when have I ever had just one word? The point is, I don’t get it. This is the best new drama of the season. (Sorry Commander in Chief.) The storytelling is top-notch and the acting outstanding.
I’m convinced it’s a government conspiracy. Dave, back me up here. (For those of you who haven’t found Dave’s blog about what’s really going on the Everglades, check it out here at http://www.didyouseethelights.com/ on the ABC home page. Funny stuff.)
Invasion hasn’t received nearly as much press as some of the season’s other new dramas (Close to Home and the aforementioned Commander.) I think Invasion was tagged at the onset as being a ripoff of Lost, which perhaps deterred people from watching. But, it's clearly its own show. It may have also gotten lost in the sea of other sci-fi dramas this season (Threshold and Surface.) But, Invasion started strong and gets better each week.
Is creepy Sheriff Tom keeping the town of “hybrid” aliens in check? Will Dave and Larkin blow the whistle on what’s happening in their small town? Is Rose Tom’s daughter? (I’m thinking that the fact that he kept that rose trinket locked away in his secret room is perhaps a sign that Rose is more than his step daughter, although I find it really hard to believe Mariel would have cheated on Russ-my-dimples-are-divine-Varon.)
We won’t begin to get answers until ABC puts this show back on its schedule. As for why ABC pulled Invasion, I went to TV Guide expert Matt Roush for answers. Here’s what he had to say:
Question: Why is ABC shelving Invasion for six weeks? It's the best new drama of the year. Period. (Sorry, I'm just not onboard with Commander in Chief, despite what the Emmys and Globes say.) Invasion isn't a Lost clone. It's unique and mesmerizing, in a freaky kind of way. Please say it's coming back. If not, I think I'll borrow a phrase from Dave and blame this on a "government conspiracy." It seems that year after year, the quality shows I love get the boot (Jack & Bobby, Freaks and Geeks, Angel and Felicity.) Just once, I'd like a quality show to get the chance to stick around as long as some of those silly, never-ending sitcoms. - Jennifer B.
Matt Roush: This is a messy mid-season, no doubt. (And, for the record, ABC is shelving Commander in Chief in March for six weeks as well.) But it's common practice for networks to pull some shows (especially shows like Invasion, which tend to repeat poorly) to make room to try out others during the spring. I agree, though, that this will do more harm than good to an already fragile franchise like Invasion. I wish they would just play all 22 of its episodes, even if that means its season would end before May. As I noted last Friday in discussing the no-show of Alias, mid-season plans are not set in stone and are likely to adjust as soon as the early returns and reviews are in on certain series, so who can say when and where the last episodes of Invasion will air? All I know for sure is that the show is continuing to produce a full season's worth of episodes, and since we've come this far with these characters, I expect we'll actually see the entire season, eventually. But again, what a drag.
This excerpt is from the Feb. 13, 2006 column Ask Matt Roush at TV Guide.com.
http://www.tvguide.com/TV/Roush/AskMatt/default.htm?rmDate=02132006
Tube talk girl can be reached by e-mail at jennifer@tube-talk.com.
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ABC has plenty of new shows in store for the fall, despite its already solid lineup. Admittedly, I spend most of my TV hours watching ABC shows, and it looks like that isn’t going to change this season.
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